Lexmark Printer Not Printing Color? Fix Missing or Faded Colors

If your Lexmark printer is not printing color, the problem can range from an empty color cartridge to incorrect print settings, cartridge recognition issues, driver problems, or print-quality issues.

You may notice that color documents print only in black and white, one color is missing, colors look faded, or the printer produces incorrect shades. Sometimes the printer appears to work normally but simply refuses to produce one or more colors.

Before replacing cartridges or assuming the printer has a hardware problem, work through the fixes below. These steps help determine whether the issue comes from the cartridges, computer settings, software, or the printer itself.

1. Check the Color Cartridge Levels

The first thing to check is the toner or ink level for each color.

Depending on your Lexmark printer, color cartridges may include cyan, magenta, and yellow along with black.

A depleted color cartridge can cause:

• One color to disappear
• Incorrect colors
• Faded color output
• Gray-looking images
• Incomplete graphics
• Very light color printing

Check the printer display or printer software for cartridge status.

If one cartridge is empty or nearly empty, replace it with the correct cartridge for your Lexmark model.

Do not assume that the printer will always stop with an obvious cartridge warning. Some color problems may appear as poor print quality before a cartridge is completely depleted.

2. Reinstall the Color Cartridges

A cartridge that is not seated correctly may not deliver toner or ink properly.

If you recently installed a new color cartridge and the corresponding color disappeared afterward, remove and reinstall the cartridge.

Check for:

• Incorrect installation
• Protective packaging
• Sealing strips
• Damaged cartridge components
• Toner or ink leakage
• Incorrect cartridge position

Make sure each cartridge is installed in its proper location.

Close the printer securely and wait until it returns to Ready status before printing another test page.

3. Make Sure the Printer Recognizes Every Color Cartridge

If a color cartridge is not recognized, the printer may be unable to use that color.

Check the printer display for messages such as:

• Cartridge not recognized
• Cartridge not detected
• Invalid cartridge
• Replace cartridge
• Toner error

If one specific color is missing and the printer reports an error for that cartridge, focus on cartridge recognition before changing print settings.

For related cartridge troubleshooting, see Lexmark Printer Toner Not Recognized? Easy Fix Guide.

4. Make Sure Color Printing Is Enabled

Your computer may be configured to print documents in black and white or grayscale.

Open the print dialog and look for settings related to:

• Color
• Black and white
• Grayscale
• Monochrome
• Color mode

Select the color option when available.

Also check the printer’s default preferences. Some computers save black-and-white settings as the default to reduce toner consumption.

After changing the setting, print a simple color document.

If color returns, the printer itself was working correctly and the issue was caused by the print configuration.

5. Check the Document Before Blaming the Printer

A document may not contain actual color information even if it appears to have colored elements on screen.

Test the printer with another file.

Try printing:

• A color PDF
• A webpage containing colored graphics
• A simple document with colored text
• A photo
• A printer test page

If one document prints correctly but another does not, the problem is likely related to the original file or application.

If every color test fails, continue troubleshooting the printer and cartridges.

6. Print a Color Test Page

A printer test page can quickly tell you whether the color problem originates inside the Lexmark printer or on the computer.

Use the printer’s built-in test or configuration page option when available.

If all colors appear correctly

The printer hardware and cartridges are probably functioning.

Focus on:

• Computer print settings
• Application settings
• Printer driver
• Document formatting
• Print queue

If one color is missing

Focus on the cartridge associated with that color and its recognition.

If all colors are missing

Check whether color printing is disabled, then investigate the cartridges, driver, and printer settings.

This test prevents unnecessary troubleshooting of the wrong part of the system.

7. Check Print Quality Settings

Print-quality settings can affect how much toner or ink is used.

If your Lexmark printer is set to Draft, Economy, or a toner-saving mode, colors may appear lighter than normal.

Check the printer preferences and temporarily select a standard or higher-quality mode.

Then print another color test page.

If the colors become stronger, the printer was likely operating in a reduced-quality mode.

For broader faded-output troubleshooting, see Lexmark Printer Printing Faded or Light? Fix Poor Print Quality.

8. Disable Grayscale or Monochrome Printing

A common reason a color printer produces only black output is that grayscale or monochrome printing has been selected.

Check both the application and printer preferences.

For example, an application may have its own print setting that overrides the printer’s normal color configuration.

Make sure color printing is enabled in the final print dialog before sending the document.

If color printing works from one application but not another, compare the print settings between those applications.

9. Restart the Lexmark Printer

Temporary software or communication problems can affect how color print jobs are processed.

Turn off the Lexmark printer and wait several seconds.

Turn it back on and allow it to complete its startup process.

Restart your computer as well if necessary.

Then print a new color test page.

A restart can clear temporary printer errors, but if the same color repeatedly disappears, investigate the cartridge, driver, or print-quality system rather than repeatedly restarting the printer.

10. Check the Lexmark Printer Driver

The printer driver converts information from your computer into data the printer can process.

A damaged, outdated, or incorrect driver can cause unusual color behavior.

Driver troubleshooting is especially important if:

• Color worked before a system update.
• The printer was recently installed on a new computer.
• Black prints correctly but computer-generated color does not.
• The printer’s own test page works.
• Colors appear incorrectly from one computer but normally from another.

Reinstall the correct Lexmark printer driver for your model and operating system.

After reinstalling it, restart the computer and test color printing again.

For more information, see Lexmark Printer Driver Unavailable? Fix Driver Problems Fast.

11. Check Whether One Color Is Missing

If only one color is missing, the problem is easier to narrow down.

For example, if cyan is missing while magenta and yellow print normally, focus on the cyan cartridge and its recognition.

If magenta is missing, inspect the magenta cartridge.

If yellow is missing, inspect the yellow cartridge.

A single missing color usually points toward that cartridge or the corresponding print-quality system rather than a general printer connection problem.

12. Check for a Recently Replaced Cartridge

If the color problem started immediately after replacing a cartridge, inspect the new cartridge first.

Make sure:

• It is the correct cartridge.
• All protective materials were removed.
• It is installed in the correct position.
• The printer recognizes it.
• The cartridge is properly seated.

A new cartridge can still be defective or incompatible.

If the previous cartridge is available and still contains usable toner or ink, testing it may help determine whether the replacement cartridge is the source of the problem.

13. Check for Printer Errors

A printer error can interrupt color printing even if black printing still works.

Check the Lexmark display for messages related to:

• Cartridge problems
• Paper jams
• Open covers
• Toner
• Maintenance
• Hardware
• Communication

Resolve any active error before testing color again.

If the printer remains in an error state, see Lexmark Printer in Error State? Quick Fix Guide.

14. Clear the Print Queue

A corrupted print job can sometimes cause repeated or incorrect output.

Open the Lexmark printer’s queue and cancel pending jobs.

Then send a fresh color test document.

If the queue is stuck, restart the Print Spooler before testing again.

This is particularly useful if color printing stopped after a failed document or an interrupted print job.

15. Test With Another Compatible Color Cartridge

If one color remains missing after checking the settings and printer test page, a known-compatible replacement cartridge can help confirm the cause.

This is especially useful when:

• The cartridge is new.
• The printer does not recognize it.
• One color is completely absent.
• The problem started immediately after installation.

Use only a cartridge designed for your specific Lexmark model.

If another compatible cartridge restores the missing color, the original cartridge may be defective.

Lexmark Printer Printing Only Black and White

If your Lexmark printer produces black text normally but every color document comes out in black and white, check the color settings first.

Make sure the print dialog is not configured for:

• Grayscale
• Black and white
• Monochrome
• Toner-saving output

Also check the printer’s default preferences.

If color is enabled but the printer still produces only black, print a color test page.

If the printer test page also lacks color, investigate the cartridges and printer itself.

Lexmark Printer Missing One Color

When only one color is missing, focus on that specific cartridge.

For example, if blue or cyan is missing while the other colors print normally, inspect the cyan cartridge.

Check its level, installation, recognition, and compatibility.

A test page is useful because it can show whether the missing color is a printer-side problem or a document-side problem.

Lexmark Printer Printing Faded Colors

Faded color output can be caused by low toner or ink, Economy mode, cartridge problems, or print-quality issues.

Start by checking the color cartridge levels.

Then disable any toner-saving or Draft mode and select standard print quality.

If the entire page remains unusually light, investigate the printer’s print-quality system.

For a broader solution, see Lexmark Printer Printing Faded or Light? Fix Poor Print Quality.

Lexmark Printer Prints Incorrect Colors

Incorrect colors can be caused by a missing cartridge, incorrect print settings, driver issues, or document color management.

Try printing a simple color test page.

If the printer’s test page has correct colors but your document does not, the problem is likely related to the application or document.

If the test page itself has incorrect colors, inspect the cartridges and printer settings.

Lexmark Printer Not Printing Color From One Computer

If your Lexmark printer produces normal colors from another computer but not from one specific computer, focus on that computer.

Check:

• Printer driver
• Color settings
• Application settings
• Printer preferences
• Print queue

Reinstalling the Lexmark driver can help if the issue began after a system update or printer software change.

What to Do If Your Lexmark Printer Still Does Not Print Color

If the previous fixes have not solved the problem, use the printer’s test page to identify the source.

Color test page works normally

Focus on:

• Application settings
• Document settings
• Printer driver
• Computer configuration

One color is missing from the test page

Focus on that color’s cartridge and cartridge recognition.

All colors are missing from the test page

Check whether color printing is disabled, then investigate the cartridges, driver, and printer hardware.

Colors are present but extremely faint

Check cartridge levels, Economy mode, and print-quality settings.

This method helps you avoid replacing functioning components unnecessarily.

Quick Lexmark Color Printing Checklist

Before considering service, check:

• Color cartridge levels
• Cartridge installation
• Cartridge compatibility
• Protective packaging
• Cartridge recognition
• Color print mode
• Grayscale setting
• Monochrome setting
• Economy or Draft mode
• Printer test page
• Print queue
• Printer driver
• Printer error messages
• Another color document
• Another compatible cartridge

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Lexmark printer not printing color?

Common causes include empty or incorrectly installed color cartridges, grayscale settings, cartridge recognition problems, driver issues, and print-quality problems.

Start by checking the cartridges and printing a color test page.

Why is my Lexmark printer only printing black and white?

The printer may be configured for grayscale or monochrome printing. Check the print dialog and printer preferences and make sure color printing is enabled.

If color is enabled but still unavailable, print a color test page.

Why is one color missing from my Lexmark printer?

A single missing color usually points toward the cartridge associated with that color. Check its toner or ink level, installation, compatibility, and recognition.

Why are my Lexmark colors faded?

Faded colors can result from low toner or ink, Economy mode, Draft settings, cartridge problems, or printer print-quality issues.

Check the cartridge levels and select standard print quality.

Why does my Lexmark printer print color correctly from a test page but not from my computer?

If the printer’s test page has normal colors, the hardware is likely working. Focus on the computer’s print settings, application, document, driver, and print queue.

Why did my Lexmark printer stop printing color after changing a cartridge?

Check that the replacement cartridge is compatible, correctly installed, and recognized by the printer. Also make sure all protective materials were removed.

Can a Lexmark printer driver cause color problems?

Yes. An incorrect or damaged driver can affect how color information is sent to the printer.

If the printer’s built-in test page works normally but computer documents do not, investigate the driver.

Related Guides

• Lexmark Printer Not Printing? 15 Proven Fixes That Actually Work (2026)
• Lexmark Printer Not Printing Black? Easy Fixes That Work (2026)
• Lexmark Printer Printing Blank Pages? 11 Fixes That Actually Work
• Lexmark Printer Toner Not Recognized? Easy Fix Guide
• Lexmark Printer Printing Faded or Light? Fix Poor Print Quality
• Lexmark Printer Driver Unavailable? Fix Driver Problems Fast
• Lexmark Printer in Error State? Quick Fix Guide
• Lexmark Printer WiFi Setup Guide (Windows, Mac & Mobile)

Final Thoughts

When a Lexmark printer is not printing color, start with the color cartridges and the printer’s own test page. These two checks can quickly show whether the problem is inside the printer or originates from your computer.

If the test page has missing colors, investigate the affected cartridge, cartridge recognition, and the printer’s print-quality system. If the test page prints correctly but your documents are black and white, focus on color settings, applications, and the printer driver.

By checking the cartridges, print settings, driver, queue, and printer status in order, you can usually identify the cause without immediately replacing the printer.