Stuck in Grayscale on Chromebook? Fix the PPD Setting and Print in Color Again

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: ChromeOS, CUPS/IPP Everywhere, Manufacturer PPDs, Google Admin policies, Network printers

Fix “Chromebook prints grayscale only” — install manufacturer PPD, enable color mode in CUPS/IPP, bypass driverless mono

Technician

Hey! We’ll fix your Chromebook printing grayscale only. ChromeOS uses CUPS with IPP Everywhere / Mopria by default. Many devices show up as “driverless” and expose only monochrome unless you install the manufacturer PPD or pick the correct model-specific driver. A couple quick questions: What’s the printer model? Connected by Wi-Fi/ethernet or USB? And are you managed by a Google Admin policy?

Customer

It’s a Brother color laser on ethernet. The Chromebook finds it via IPP but the Color option is missing — prints are always black and white.

Technician

Understood. With IPP Everywhere, the printer advertises capabilities. Some models publish mono-only or incomplete attributes to ChromeOS, so CUPS hides Color. Installing the vendor PPD (PostScript Printer Description) exposes CMYK color, duplex, and trays. If you’re in a managed domain, an Admin Console policy can also force grayscale or disable color to save toner. Plan: 1) Add the printer using Advanced and select the exact manufacturer PPD. 2) Confirm Color model/Print in color is available. 3) If managed, verify Allow color printing policy. 4) Test via a color PDF.

Customer

Where do I find “Advanced” on a Chromebook? I only see the auto-discovered IPP printer.

Technician

On your Chromebook:
Settings → Printers → Add printer → Add manually → Advanced.
• Name: Brother Color (LAN)
• Address: printer IP (static IP recommended)
• Protocol: IPP or IPPS (secure)
• Queue: usually ipp/print or printers/queue
Then in Manufacturer/Model, choose the exact model; if it’s not listed, click Browse and upload the vendor’s .PPD. After saving, open printing More settings and confirm Color appears instead of Monochrome only.

Customer

I have the PPD file from Brother. Which options should I enable so color is used?

Technician

Great. When adding with the manufacturer PPD, check these:
• Color Mode/ColorModel: set to CMYK/Color (not Gray).
• Media Type: match your paper — some PPDs disable color on plain/eco.
• Duplex and Driver features: optional, but ensure no Toner Save/Eco forcing grayscale.
After saving, print a test color PDF. In the print dialog pick Color (not Black & White) and confirm saturation looks normal.

Customer

We’re school-managed. Could a policy force grayscale on Chromebooks?

Technician

Yes. In Google Admin Console (for managed users/devices) under Devices → Chrome → Settings, admins can deploy Printers with a PPD and also control Color printing. If Allow color is disabled at OU or user level, ChromeOS will enforce Monochrome even with a color PPD. Ask your admin to:
1) Push the printer with the correct PPD.
2) Enable Color printing and remove any Grayscale-only restrictions or cost-control rules.

Customer

If the printer is discovered automatically, can I still switch it from driverless to the PPD?

Technician

Yes. Remove the auto-added queue, then re-add via Advanced and point to the manufacturer PPD. If you can’t remove it (managed), ask the admin to push a PPD-backed queue via policy. Driverless IPP Everywhere is convenient, but some devices advertise only grayscale — the PPD restores full color options.

Customer

Does USB printing behave differently from network IPP on ChromeOS?

Technician

USB uses the same CUPS stack but may present a different capability set. If USB shows monochrome only, the fix is identical: install the vendor PPD or select the exact model in the driver list so Color becomes available. For sharing in labs, prefer IPPS (secure) with a static IP.

Customer

Okay, I added the PPD and now I can choose Color. Any final checks so it doesn’t revert to grayscale?

Technician

Final checks:
• Make the PPD-backed queue the Default printer in ChromeOS.
• In the print dialog, ensure Color is selected (Chrome can remember the last choice per app).
• If managed, confirm your OU allows Color printing and that no cost-control rule forces grayscale.
• Keep the device on a static IP to avoid the auto-discovered mono queue reappearing.

Customer

Perfect — color is back on the Chromebook and it sticks. Thanks!

Technician

Summary: If a Chromebook prints grayscale only, re-add the printer via Advanced, choose the exact model or upload the manufacturer PPD, then select Color in the print dialog. On managed devices, ask your admin to enable Color printing and deploy the PPD-backed queue. Need help choosing the right PPD? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when a Chromebook prints only in grayscale: add the printer via Advanced, install the manufacturer PPD (CUPS), ensure Color/CMYK is enabled in the dialog, and verify any Google Admin policy allows color printing.

FAQ

Step-by-step (ChromeOS)

1. Settings → Printers → Add printer → Add manually → Advanced.
2. Enter printer IP, choose IPP/IPPS, queue like ipp/print.
3. Select the exact model from the list or Browse and upload the manufacturer PPD (.ppd).
4. In the print dialog, choose Color (not Black & White) and print a color test PDF.

Note for mixed environments (Windows/macOS)

1. Windows/macOS users printing through the same device should also select the correct driver/PPD to keep Color enabled.
2. On managed networks, align color policies across OSes to avoid surprises.

Sources

• Google — Set up printers on a Chromebook
• Google Admin — Manage printing (CUPS, PPDs, color settings)
• OpenPrinting — IPP Everywhere & driverless printing

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