Question HP Officejet Pro 8600 - - - color/black and white selection doesn't change anything ?

[punkncat]

This is not an issue with an empty cartridge or bad print head. Unfortunately, I have been unable to figure out the way to describe the issue that search results help.

When you select to print you get the Windows print preference screen where you can pick a page, pick layout, color or black and white, print on the back, all that. When BnW is selected on that screen it prints color, every time. As mentioned the carts are fine, swapped with new official carts while I was there.

I can go into the advanced settings within the printer software package and go to the advanced settings there is a selection called "greyscale" where it says off (color), high quality greyscale, or BnW only. IF BnW only is selected there then it does not matter the preference in the print preview screen. Everything is BnW. If you turn that off then it doesn't matter the preference selected in print preview it will ONLY print in color.

We tried to reset settings, installed the drive package again, cannot get it to work.

This individual had an older laptop they were using with W10H on it. They wanted a new laptop but had a really nice HP available so instead of buying new they opted to "share" the laptop. The husband is the Admin, the wife is user on that newer PC.
The old PC just worked as expected. The new one will not.

Can anyone assist as to what I might consider trying for this to operate as expected?

 

[Ralston18]

System > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners.

Likely many options....

Check those settings.

Also Accessiblity > Color Filters: may be something there.

 

[punkncat]

System > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners.

Likely many options....

Check those settings.

Also Accessiblity > Color Filters: may be something there.

Yup checked into all those as well. The only place that changes anything is within the HP printers own software that is down in the Taskbar. That is where the checkbox is for color or B/W. With the other laptop it works as intended by using the preferences just after using the print key and before sending to the spool.

Any time I search for this it seems that the results think I am out of ink or that the printer's ability to do so is bad. This is not the case but cannot understand why it won't work in conjunction with OS (auto-magically, as it were).

 

[Ralston18]

Interesting.

Does the taskbar option include HP Smart?

(I have an HP Office Jet Pro 9015 and poked about a bit to see what if anything turned up.)

I went into HP's "AI" just as a matter of curiosty and after some trial and error got the following response:

"

Bot said:

Print in black and white using Windows

Use the HP print driver to select the black and white (monochrome) or grayscale setting for your print job.

1. Open the document or photo you want to print, and then click File > Print or the Print icon
   
   .
2. Select your printer name, and then click Options, Printer Properties, Preferences, or More settings.
   
   NOTE: If these options are not available, install the full feature driver from 123.hp.com/setup.
3. On the Paper/Quality, Color, or Features tab, or from the Advanced, Color mode, or Print in Grayscale menu, select from the following options based on your printing needs.
   
   NOTE: If you regularly print in black and white, but find that color ink is also used, your printer model uses a mix of black and color inks to decrease grain. Additionally, some ink is used from all cartridges to perform periodic servicing that prevents clogs and other print quality issues. There is no way to bypass these features.
   
   • Black and white, Monochrome, Black Ink Only, or Grayscale: Uses only the black cartridge to print in black and white.
   • High Quality Grayscale: Uses all colors and black to print higher quality black and white prints.
4. To use less ink, select Draft or EconoMode from the Print Quality, Output Quality, or Media menu.

"

As I understand the posts thus far you have covered that ground already.....

One question: will the printer provide a status/configuration report?

 

[punkncat]

Yes, what you describe above is the only way I can get it to change but once set it is ONLY that method, even if you select another (color option) in the print review window.

Is the status/config the same thing as printed on the test page that you can print?

 

[Paperdoc]

I am used to this issue with my last colour laser printer from Lexmark, and my current one from Brother. In both cases the choice to print using ONLY black toner (in Greyscale usually, or maybe Black and White only) is made using the PRINTER'S configuration utility. I am guessing that Windows simply does not have the ability to send the printer the right signals for ALL of the many printers on the market, so they leave that the the printer maker. The choice basically is included in tools associated with the printer's driver software. In Windows I am used to having a choice on the basic Print screen to use the printer's own custom setting tool rather than rely on Windows alone. I do this all the time to avoid wasting colour ink on simple documents.

A small bonus I got with my newest printer from Brother is that their tool is great for this. I have used it to set up several different printing profiles and choose the right one for each printing job. A stored profile contains info on resolution, colour or B&W, 1- or 2-sided , etc. On an easily-chosen related screen I can set paper source and size and page orientation. A very handy tool (supplied with the printer by its maker) I use to customize each print job.