Re: My HP Color Laser Jet 3201dw is printing only black

Hi @Edmolina57 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like your HP Color LaserJet 3201dw printer is printing only in black and not producing color prints. This can happen for several reasons, ranging from low toner levels to incorrect printer settings. Let's go through some troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:

1. Check Toner Levels

• The most common reason for a color printer printing only in black is low or empty color toner cartridges.
• On your printer’s control panel, you can check the toner levels or print a toner status report to see if the color cartridges are low or empty.
• You can also check the toner levels through the HP Smart app or by accessing the printer's web interface using its IP address.
• If any color cartridges are empty or very low, replacing them should resolve the issue.

2. Check for Toner Cartridge Issues

• Reinstall the Toner Cartridges: Sometimes, a toner cartridge can become misaligned or improperly installed, causing the printer to default to black printing. Remove and reinsert the color toner cartridges to ensure they are seated properly.
• Check for Blockages: Make sure the toner cartridges are not clogged or blocked by any paper remnants or debris inside the printer.

3. Ensure Color Printing is Enabled in the Printer Settings

• Go to the Print Settings on your computer and ensure that color printing is enabled.
• On Windows:
  1. Open the document or photo you want to print.
  2. Select File> Print.
  3. Choose the HP Color LaserJet 3201dw as your printer.
  4. Click on Printer Properties or Preferences.
  5. Check that the option for Color is selected (not grayscale or black & white).
• On macOS:
  1. Open the document you want to print.
  2. Click on File> Print.
  3. Select the HP Color LaserJet 3201dw.
  4. Click on Show Details and make sure Color is selected in the print settings.

4. Check for Printer Default Settings

• If the printer is set to default to black and white or grayscale mode, it will ignore color even if there’s toner available.
• Check the printer’s control panel for any settings that might be forcing it to print in black. This could be a setting like Black & White or Greyscale under the Print Quality options.

5. Run Printer Diagnostics

• Most HP printers have built-in diagnostics to check for issues with the printer. Run a printer self-test or diagnostic report directly from the printer’s menu (usually under Tools or Information on the control panel).
• This can help identify any issues with the color toner cartridges or the print head.

6. Check for Firmware Updates

• Sometimes, issues like this can be caused by outdated printer firmware. Check for available firmware updates for your printer on the HP Support website.
• You can also update the firmware through the HP Smart app if you have it installed.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support