Printer Not Printing Yellow? Here’s What to Do

Having trouble with your printer not printing yellow? You’re not alone—it’s a common issue that can be really frustrating. But don’t worry, we have some potential solutions to get your company or home office printer back to producing bright yellow prints! 

Whether you have a printer from HP, Canon, Brother, Epson, or any other popular brand, these steps will help you troubleshoot and fix the problem.

Inspecting the Ink Levels

‘Why is my HP or Canon printer not printing yellow?’ 

We get that question a lot, and it happens with other brands just as often. The first thing you must do is to check the ink levels. Usually, yellow ink issues can be attributed to low or empty cartridges. 

Here’s how to check:

• Ink Drop Icon: Look for the ink drop icon on your printer’s display and tap it to see your printer’s current ink levels.
• Inspect Yellow and Magenta Levels: Specifically, check the levels of the yellow and magenta cartridges. If either is low, that could be the root of the problem.
• Replace or Refill Cartridges: If the yellow ink level is low, replace or refill the cartridge. Ensure you are using the right cartridges to avoid compatibility issues.

Cleaning the Printheads

If the ink levels are sufficient but yellow still isn’t printing, the next step is to clean the printheads. Dirty or clogged printheads can prevent ink from flowing properly. 

Follow these steps:

• Access Setup and Tools: Go to your printer’s display, click the Setup menu, and select Tools.
• Select Clean Printhead: Choose the option to clean the printhead.
• Repeat if Necessary: If the first cleaning doesn’t solve the issue, repeat the process a few more times. This may take a few attempts to clear blockages.

Addressing Print Quality Issues

1. Ensure you’re using genuine cartridges that are compatible with your printer model. Non-genuine cartridges can sometimes cause print quality issues.
2. Verify that the paper size and type settings are appropriate for your print job. Incorrect settings can affect colour output.
3. Adjust Print Settings:

• Open Application Settings: Open the application you’re printing from.
• Access Print Menu: Click on File and select Print.
• Open Properties/Preferences: In the Print window, open Properties or Preferences.
• Modify Settings: Adjust the paper type, print quality, and paper size settings as needed. For instance, set the print quality to normal or draft modes.
• Save and Print: Click OK to save the changes and try printing again.

Setting Up a Colour Management Profile

Sometimes, the issue with a printer not printing yellow can be related to colour management settings. Assigning a specific colour profile might help.

1. Click Start on your computer and select Settings.
2. Click on Devices, then Printers & Scanners.
3. Select your printer and click on Manage, then Printer Properties.
4. Go to the Colour Management tab, and click on Add.
5. Choose a compatible colour profile, add it, and click OK to save.

Cleaning the Cartridges

Does the issue persist? Cleaning the cartridges through your printer’s maintenance options might help. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the printer management software corresponding to your printer brand, such as HP Director, Canon Utilities, or Epson Software.
2. Find the maintenance or utility section within the software.
3. Look for an option like “Print Head Cleaning” or “Clean Print Cartridges” and click it.
4. Follow the prompts to initiate the cleaning process. This may take a few minutes and be repeated if the blockage is severe.

Updating Printer Drivers

Outdated or incorrect drivers can also cause printing issues. Let’s make sure your printer drivers are up-to-date:

• Open Device Manager: Press the Windows Key + R, type “devmgmt.msc,” and press OK. Next, find your printer in the list.
• Update Driver: Right-click on your printer and click Update Driver. Let Windows search for and install the latest drivers automatically.
• Reboot: Give your system a restart and see if that fixes the issue.

Need Further Assistance?

You’ve followed all the steps, but your printer still isn’t working properly. 

If the problem persists, it’s time to reach out to a professional printer repair service for additional support. At the Printer Repairs Centre, we’re dedicated to providing top-notch service and solutions for all your printer needs across Sydney. Our expert team is always ready to help with printer-related problems, ensuring your devices run smoothly and efficiently. We can even perform same-day printer repair services. 

Get in touch with our specialists today for immediate printer support!