Color-printing problems

Color-printing problems


Printing black instead of color
Cause Solution
Grayscale is selected in the software program or printer driver. In the software program or printer driver, select Color mode instead of Grayscale or Monochrome mode.
The correct printer driver is not selected in your software program. Select the correct printer driver.
No color appears on the configuration page. Contact HP support.
The control-panel setting for COLOR SUPPLY OUT is set to AUTOCONTINUE BLACK, and one of the color print cartridges is out. The printer continues to print in black only. Replace the color print cartridge.
The control-panel setting for RESTRICT COLOR USE is set to DISABLE COLOR, or it is set to COLOR IF ALLOWED and you do not have permission to print in color. Change the control-panel setting to ENABLE COLOR.

Incorrect hues print
Cause Solution
The media does not meet the specifications for this printer. See the HP LaserJet Printer Family Print Media Specification Guide.
Go to www.hp.com/support/clj3000, www.hp.com/support/clj3600, or www.hp.com/support/clj3800 for HP LaserJet Printer Family Print Media Specification Guide ordering information. When you connect, select Manuals.
The printer operates in excessively humid or dry conditions. Verify that the printer environment is within humidity specifications.
Store the print media in the same environment as the printer.
Calibrate the printer. See Print Quality sub-menu.

HP 3000 3600 3800 note Color printing problems NOTE

For more information about color-quality problems see Print-quality troubleshooting.

A color is missing
Cause Solution
The HP print cartridge is defective. Replace the cartridge.

Inconsistent colors print after installing a print cartridge
Cause Solution
New print cartridges sometimes require printing several pages before they deliver consistent print quality. Try printing approximately 50 pages with the new cartridge, and then try the print job again.
Another print cartridge might be low. Check the supplies gauge on the control panel or print a supplies status page. See Using printer information pages.
The printer might need calibration. Calibrate the printer. See Calibrating the printer.
The print cartridge might be a refilled cartridge. Use a genuine HP print cartridge. See Supplies and accessories.

Printed colors do not match screen colors
Cause Solution
Extremely light screen colors are not being printed. The software program might interpret extremely light colors as white. If so, avoid using extremely light colors.
Extremely dark screen colors print in black. The software program might interpret extremely dark colors as black. If so, avoid using extremely dark colors.
The printer might need calibration. Calibrate the printer. See Calibrating the printer.
The colors on the computer screen differ from the printer output.
For the HP Color LaserJet 3000 and 3800 Series printers only.
1. On the printer driver Color tab, in the Color Options section, select Manual.
2. Click Settings.
3. In Manual Color Options, in the Color Options section, select Default (sRGB) for each object.
4. Click OK to finish.
HP 3000 3600 3800 note Color printing problems NOTE

Several factors can influence your ability to match printed colors to those on your screen: paper, overhead lighting, software programs, operating system palettes, monitors, and video cards and drivers. See Color.

HP 3000 3600 3800 Color-printing problems