Brother Printer Not Printing Color? Fix Missing or Faded Colors (2026)

Introduction

Is your Brother printer printing black text but refusing to print colors?

This is one of the most common printing issues Brother users experience.

You may notice:

• Missing colors
• Faded images
• Documents printing only in black and white
• Missing cyan, magenta, or yellow
• Incomplete graphics
• Poor photo quality

Fortunately, most color printing problems are caused by maintenance issues rather than hardware failures.

This guide explains why your Brother printer is not printing color and how to restore vibrant, accurate prints.

If your printer has broader printing issues, visit our Brother Printer Not Printing? 15 Proven Fixes That Actually Work guide.

Why Is My Brother Printer Not Printing Color?

Color printing problems usually happen when the printer cannot properly deliver color ink.

Common causes include:

• Empty color cartridges
• Low color ink levels
• Clogged printhead nozzles
• Dried color ink
• Incorrect printer settings
• Cartridge recognition issues
• Ink flow restrictions
• Color management settings

Most color problems can be fixed at home.

Fix 1: Check Color Ink Levels

Start by checking all color cartridges.

Even if one cartridge becomes empty, color printing quality can suffer.

Inspect:

• Cyan cartridge
• Magenta cartridge
• Yellow cartridge

Use:

• Brother printer display
• Brother Mobile Connect app
• Brother printer software

Replace any low or empty cartridges.

Fix 2: Verify Color Printing Is Enabled

Sometimes the printer is configured to print only in grayscale.

This is especially common after software updates or printer setting changes.

Windows

1. Open Print Preferences
2. Select Color Printing
3. Disable Grayscale mode
4. Save settings

Mac

1. Open Print Settings
2. Select Color Options
3. Ensure Color Printing is enabled

Then test printing again.

Fix 3: Print a Nozzle Check Page

A nozzle check helps identify which colors are affected.

Steps

1. Open printer maintenance settings
2. Select Nozzle Check
3. Print test page

Results

• Missing cyan = cyan nozzle blockage
• Missing magenta = magenta blockage
• Missing yellow = yellow blockage
• Broken patterns = printhead clog

This test helps identify the exact issue.

Fix 4: Run Printhead Cleaning

Clogged printheads are one of the leading causes of missing colors.

Color ink dries more easily than black ink when the printer sits unused.

Steps

1. Open Maintenance menu
2. Select Printhead Cleaning
3. Choose Color Cleaning
4. Run cleaning cycle
5. Print another nozzle check

For deeper maintenance instructions, see:

Brother Printhead Cleaning Guide: Fix Clogs & Missing Ink
(Internal Link)

Fix 5: Check Color Cartridge Installation

Improper cartridge installation may prevent ink delivery.

Steps

1. Turn off printer
2. Open cartridge compartment
3. Remove color cartridges
4. Inspect cartridges
5. Reinstall securely
6. Restart printer

Ensure all cartridges lock firmly into place.

Fix 6: Remove Protective Packaging

New cartridges often contain:

• Protective tape
• Plastic covers
• Shipping seals

Failure to remove these materials can prevent proper ink flow.

Inspect cartridges carefully before reinstalling.

Fix 7: Replace Faulty Color Cartridges

Sometimes a cartridge contains a defect.

Signs include:

• One color never prints
• Cleaning cycles do not help
• New cartridge fails immediately

Try installing a genuine replacement cartridge.

Faulty cartridges are a common cause of missing colors.

Fix 8: Check for Air in the Ink System

Air bubbles can interrupt ink delivery.

This commonly happens:

• After cartridge replacement
• After long periods of inactivity
• Following transport of the printer

Running a cleaning cycle often helps restore proper flow.

Fix 9: Update Brother Printer Drivers

Driver issues occasionally affect color output.

Symptoms include:

• Incorrect colors
• Missing colors in specific programs
• Color printing inconsistencies

Update the printer driver and test again.

For additional driver troubleshooting, see:

Brother Printer Driver Unavailable? Fix Driver Problems Fast
(Future Internal Link)

Fix 10: Check Image and Application Settings

Sometimes the printer works correctly but the application sends incorrect color information.

Test with:

• Another PDF
• A photo file
• A browser page
• A test image

If colors print normally elsewhere, the problem may be application-related.

Fix 11: Inspect Print Quality Settings

Some settings prioritize speed over color quality.

Check for:

• Draft mode
• Economy mode
• Ink saving mode
• Low-quality output settings

Switch to:

• Normal Quality
  or
• Best Quality

for testing.

Fix 12: Print a Color Test Page

A color test page helps determine whether the issue is:

• Hardware-related
• Ink-related
• Software-related

Print the built-in printer test page and inspect:

• Color accuracy
• Missing colors
• Banding
• Streaking

This provides valuable diagnostic information.

When Missing Colors Become a Printhead Problem

If cleaning cycles temporarily improve output but colors disappear again, the printhead may require maintenance.

Common signs include:

• Repeated missing colors
• Streaks
• Incomplete images
• Frequent cleaning requirements

Use:

Brother Printhead Cleaning Guide: Fix Clogs & Missing Ink
(Internal Link)

for advanced cleaning procedures.

When Color Problems Affect All Printing

Sometimes missing colors are part of a larger printing issue.

If your printer is also:

• refusing to print
• producing blank pages
• failing multiple colors

visit:

Brother Printer Printing Blank Pages? 11 Fixes That Actually Work
(Future Internal Link)

for broader troubleshooting.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

✅ check color ink levels
✅ verify color mode is enabled
✅ print nozzle check page
✅ run printhead cleaning
✅ reinstall cartridges
✅ remove protective packaging
✅ replace faulty cartridges
✅ remove air from ink system
✅ update drivers
✅ test another document
✅ check print quality settings
✅ print color test page

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Brother printer printing black but not color?

This usually indicates a clogged printhead, empty color cartridge, blocked nozzle, or color ink delivery issue.

Can a clogged printhead stop color printing?

Yes. Clogged nozzles are one of the most common causes of missing colors.

Why is my color cartridge full but not printing?

The cartridge may be defective, improperly installed, blocked, or affected by a printhead problem.

Why are my colors faded when printing?

Faded colors are commonly caused by low ink levels, clogged printheads, or draft print settings.

Should I replace the color cartridges?

If cleaning cycles and troubleshooting do not restore color printing, replacing the cartridges is often the next step.

Final Thoughts

Brother printers that stop printing color usually suffer from cartridge, printhead, or ink flow problems.

Most users successfully restore color printing by:

• checking ink levels
• cleaning the printhead
• replacing faulty cartridges
• running nozzle checks
• correcting print settings

Start with the simplest fixes first.

If colors still do not print after troubleshooting, the printhead or ink delivery system may require deeper maintenance.

Following the steps above will resolve the majority of Brother color printing problems and restore vibrant, accurate print quality.