No colour with wireless printing, HP Deskjet 4180

Question

No colour with wireless printing, HP Deskjet 4180

I've got a weird problem. My HP Deskjet 4180 will not print any colour while it is connected to my extreme base station. It works just fine when it's connected directly to my MBP. It's quite frustrating, all drivers are up to date, I've even been searching around on HP's site to no avail. It used to work, but I'm not sure if the latest firmware for the base station did something to it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, it really is no fun having to lug the computer to the other room to print a photo for example.

Thanks,

Matt

MacBook Pro 2.33 Mhz, Mac OS X (10.5.2), 120 GB HD, 3 GB Ram, 80 GB iPod, 500 Gb Ext. eSATA, 500 GB USB

Posted on May 12, 2008 3:56 PM

Reply

Answer 1

May 13, 2008 10:57 AM in response to Matt Thomson1

I am also having this difficulty. Any success yet?

Reply

Answer 2

May 13, 2008 11:21 PM in response to pooktally

So far, not yet. I've tried resetting the firmware of my base station to 7.2.1 without success, having read other posts that fixed their problem. I've also followed Apple's instructions for resetting the printer. Pretty soon I think I'll have to take advantage of my extended Apple Care and call someone. I've been dealing with this problem for well over a month now. Will post if I find something.

Matt

Reply

Answer 3

May 15, 2008 6:51 PM in response to Matt Thomson1

I have new macbook and may take advantage of free help-will post if I learn anything.
Thanks

Reply

Answer 4

Jun 9, 2008 4:35 PM in response to Matt Thomson1

Add me to the list guys. Same problem hear streaming to AirPort Express 802.11n. I can't believe this is an actual problem with no solution. Some plaese Apple? HP?

Reply

Answer 5

Jul 2, 2008 9:04 AM in response to JimmieChicago

Well, just upgraded to the newest firmware. Still no luck!!! Was kind of hoping that the 10.5.4 updated would fix the issue, no go. Same with the newest Airport update. Anyone else have any luck yet?

Matt

Reply

Answer 6

Jul 7, 2008 8:47 AM in response to Matt Thomson1

I just got my HP Deskjet 2330 printer working (finally) and as soon as I hooked it up to the airport (and the lastest firemaware cam in that day too) it stopped printing in color. If I hook it direct it will. but nada over airport.

Anyone ever find a fix?

Reply

Answer 7

1970dewy

Level 1

0 points

Jul 13, 2008 8:31 PM in response to Matt Thomson1

G'Day,
I used this trouble shooting guide to get my HP PSC 2410 to work properly, as when i tried to print i could only print text, it would print in colour, but only text, pictures would not print at all. After i did all of these trouble shooting steps, i could print everything wirelessly.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1253
Let us know how you get on.

Cheers

Dewy.

Reply

Answer 8

iBadger

Level 1

5 points

Jul 18, 2008 9:03 AM in response to Matt Thomson1

I also have this problem but it only happened when I did the latest firmware update. Does anyone know how to go back to the old one?

I should have known better, Airport extreme is so flaky that it is best not messed around with. I daren't even unplug mine!

Thanks

Reply

Answer 9

Jul 21, 2008 8:22 AM in response to Matt Thomson1

Still nothing. I got the newest HP specific driver update too...no dice.

Reply

Answer 10

Jul 22, 2008 7:34 PM in response to Matt Thomson1

Wow I can't believe I just googled this problem and found this thread! Any suggestions? Odd thing is, have an older HP inkjet hooked up to my Airport N and it printer color just fine! Now I got a new All in One F2110 and NO COLOR! Is this confirmed to be the firmware? How can we submit this issue to Apple? Thanks!

Reply

Answer 11

Jul 22, 2008 8:20 PM in response to PerfectCr

I've updated everything, computer, printer drivers, still no luck. It's really frustrating, everything worked fine in Tiger. I was kind of hoping that the new HP Driver update would fix it, but no luck. Hopefully someone comes up with a solution.

Reply

Answer 12

ausimac

Level 1

0 points

Jul 24, 2008 10:59 PM in response to Matt Thomson1

Hi Guys,

Add me to the list, I have a HP Deskjet D2360 with the same problem. Perfect colour printing when connected to my Mac, only grey scale when connected to my Airport (draft 'n') and Airport Express.

Reply

Answer 13

Jul 25, 2008 2:59 AM in response to Matt Thomson1

Of all the problems I've encountered with computers over the years this one is the most bizarre. Have folks contacts Apple about this issue and submitted a problem report?

Reply

Answer 14

Aug 1, 2008 6:00 AM in response to Matt Thomson1

Same problem with D1460
Works fine plugged in, only black and white through an airport express.

Has anyone had this problem with a wireless printer (i.e. not using an airport express) and if you do have a printer with built in wireless, what happens when you try to plug it in to an airport basestation and turn off it's own WiFi. Do you get the same results?

Reply

Answer 15

iBadger

Level 1

5 points

Aug 26, 2008 5:13 AM in response to Matt Thomson1

Completely by accident I found a sort of work around. If you switch off the printer and then send the document to it, it will print off in colour when the printer is switched back on again. however it only works for 1 document per switch off/on so sort of defeats the object of wireless printing!

Bizzare!

Reply