Troubleshooting Color Printing Problems HP 4500,4550

Introduction
Sometimes printing issues occur with the color on the HP LaserJet 4550 series printer. This document explains how to troubleshoot color-printing problems. The following printing issues are covered:

Printing black instead of color.

Missing color or incorrect shade.

Inconsistent colors after loading toner.

Printed colors do not match screen colors.

Color printing problems
Possible color printing problems that can occur and the solutions for each example.

Printing black instead of color

Color mode is not selected in software application or printer driver.
Select color mode instead of grayscale or monochrome mode in software application or printer driver.

The correct printer driver is not selected in software application.
Select the correct printer driver.

No color appears on the Configuration page.
Call HP support.

Missing color or incorrect shade

Paper does not meet the specifications for this printer.
Refer to the HP LaserJet Printer Family Print Media Guide for ordering information, or refer to the User's Guide.

Operating the printer in excessively humid conditions.
Verify that the environment for the printer is within humidity specifications.

The toner density sensor may need cleaning.
Clean the toner density sensor. For more information, refer to the User's Guide.

Toner dust in the printer can prevent a low/out reading
Clean the toner dust from the around the cartridge showing the missing color, using a lint-free cloth

Inconsistent colors after installing a new print cartridge

Another toner color may be low.
Check the printer control panel for a TONER LOW message and replace the print cartridge if necessary.

Print cartridges may be improperly installed.
Verify that each print cartridge is installed properly. Sometimes, the printer will display a 54.2 error if a cartridge is installed incorrectly.

Printed colors do not match screen colors

Extremely light screen colors are not being printed.
Software application may interpret extremely light colors as white. If so, avoid using extremely light colors.

Extremely dark screen colors are being printed in black.
Software application may interpret extremely dark colors as black. If so, avoid using extremely dark colors.

The colors on the computer monitor differ from the printer output.
Try selecting Screen Match on the Color Control tab of the printer driver.

The toner density sensor may need cleaning.
For more information, refer to the User's Guide.

NOTE: Several factors can influence the ability to match printed colors to those on the monitor. These factors include print media, overhead lighting, software applications, operating system palettes, monitors, video cards, and video drivers.