How to Fix a Printer That Only Prints in Grayscale and Disable Black and White Mode
Joe B.
Reviewed for technical accuracy
Specialities: Windows 11/10, macOS (Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey), Printers, Networking, Office Equipment
Printer prints only in grayscale on Windows 10/Windows 11 or Mac — HP, Epson, Canon, Brother
Technician
Technician
• The queue default is set to Print in Grayscale / Black & White only / Monochrome in Printing preferences.
• Windows replaced the vendor driver with a Microsoft IPP Class Driver, which can hide Color options — you’ll only see grayscale.
• App-level settings (Word/Acrobat/Chrome) have their own grayscale checkbox enabled.
• Low/empty color cartridges or “Use black ink only” economy modes enabled in the driver.
Plan: switch the driver to Color, disable any grayscale/black & white toggles, then verify ink status and reinstall the full driver if color is missing.
Technician
1) Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → choose your printer → Printing preferences.
2) Open the Color/Advanced/Quality tab → set Color Mode = Color. Uncheck Print in Grayscale, Monochrome, or Black & White only.
3) In Printer properties → Device Settings, disable any “Use black ink only”/economy option. Save as Default.
4) If no color controls exist, Windows likely installed a class driver. Remove the queue, install the vendor’s Full Feature driver (HP/Epson/Canon/Brother), or the vendor Universal Print Driver with color support, then add the printer again.
Technician
• If color options are missing, re-add the printer as AirPrint or select the vendor driver (System Settings → Printers & Scanners).
• In Color Matching, use Vendor Matching (not Generic) so the driver exposes Color controls.
• Save a Color preset so future jobs don’t default to grayscale.
Technician
Technician
• HP: In Printing Preferences → Color uncheck Print in Grayscale. In the HP toolbox disable Use black ink only. Install HP Smart/Full Feature if color controls are missing.
• Epson: In preferences set Color; uncheck Grayscale. Run Nozzle Check if color bands are missing. Use the Epson driver (not Generic).
• Canon: With UFR II/Generic Plus, set Color Mode = Color and uncheck Black & White in the Quality panel. Choose the Canon queue rather than Generic PostScript.
• Brother: In the Advanced tab disable Grayscale and select Color. The iPrint&Scan utility also exposes a global Color toggle.
Technician
• Remove the printer and its driver package (Print Management → All Drivers) and restart.
• Install the manufacturer’s full feature driver to restore color options.
• Set a queue default profile with Color enabled. Optional: prevent automatic driver swaps in Device Installation Settings so Windows won’t force the class driver that prints grayscale only.
Technician
Adobe Acrobat/Reader: in More Settings uncheck Print in grayscale (black and white). If the checkbox is locked, you’re on a generic queue — reinstall the vendor driver.
Google Docs/Browser: open the System Dialog (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Option+P) to reach the driver’s true Color toggle.
Technician
Quick answer: the accepted fix
Accepted fix when the printer prints only in grayscale (Windows 10/Windows 11/Mac): set Color Mode = Color and disable Black & White only / Print in Grayscale / Monochrome in the driver. If color controls are missing, reinstall the full vendor driver (HP/Epson/Canon/Brother). Check ink levels and turn off “Use black ink only”.
Color option missing after an update (Windows 10/11 or macOS)
Updates can replace your vendor driver with a class driver that exposes only grayscale controls. Remove the queue, install the brand’s Full Feature driver, then confirm Color is available in Printing preferences or the Mac print dialog. Save a Color preset.
How to verify color printing works
Print a CMYK/RGB test image. If output is still gray, re-open the driver and ensure Print in Grayscale is off and Color is selected. If a color channel is missing, run cleaning/nozzle checks and reseat color cartridges.
Stuck in Black & White — troubleshooting tips
Most “prints only in grayscale” cases are a driver default or a class driver.
Quick path: verify ink → disable grayscale in preferences → set Color Mode = Color → reinstall vendor driver if color controls are missing → save a Color preset in your apps.
Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your environment, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.
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FAQ
Why does my printer print only in grayscale on Windows 10 / Windows 11?
The queue default may be set to Print in Grayscale / Black & White only or Windows is using a class driver. In Printing preferences choose Color and uncheck grayscale; if color options are missing, install the vendor’s full driver.
How do I disable Black & White only on Mac?
In the print dialog open the options panel (Layout/Quality) and select Color, then uncheck Black & White. If the toggle is missing, re-add the printer as AirPrint or vendor driver and use Vendor Matching in Color Matching.
Color option disappeared after an update — what now?
Remove the queue, reinstall the manufacturer’s Full Feature driver, and set Color as default. Class drivers often expose only grayscale.
Will empty color cartridges force grayscale?
Yes, some models disable color if a tank is empty/not recognized. Check levels, reseat or replace cartridges, and turn off economy modes like Use black ink only.
Brand tips for HP / Epson / Canon / Brother?
Install the latest full driver suites. In each driver select Color and uncheck Grayscale/Black & White. Use vendor queues instead of Generic profiles.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Only grayscale output | Queue default set to B&W | Set Color Mode = Color; uncheck Print in Grayscale |
| No color options available | Class/Generic driver in use | Install vendor Full Feature or Universal driver |
| Still gray in Word/PDF | App preset forcing grayscale | Disable B&W in app; save Color preset |
| Color channels missing | Empty/blocked cartridges | Replace/clean; turn off “Use black ink only” |
Step-by-step (Windows 10/11)
- Open Printers & scanners → your printer → Printing preferences → set Color Mode = Color; uncheck Print in Grayscale / Black & White only.
- Open Printer properties → Device Settings → disable any economy option like Use black ink only.
- If color controls are missing, remove the queue and install the brand’s Full Feature driver, then add the printer again.
- In Word/Acrobat, save a Color preset to make it the default.
Step-by-step (macOS)
- Re-add the printer as AirPrint or vendor queue in System Settings → Printers & Scanners.
- In the print dialog open options (Layout/Quality) → choose Color and uncheck Black & White; under Color Matching select Vendor Matching.
- Save a Color preset for future jobs.
Sources
- Microsoft — Troubleshoot printer problems (Windows 10/11)
- Apple — Print documents on Mac (color & quality options)
- HP — Drivers & Software
- Epson — Drivers & Utilities
- Canon — UFR II / Generic Plus drivers
- Brother — Full Driver & Software Package
Filed under: Printer won’t print
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