PDF Stuck in Black & White? Here’s How to Bring Back the Color!

Why Is My PDF Printing in Black and White? Here’s How to Fix It!

Nothing is more frustrating than sending a beautifully designed PDF to the printer, only to have it come out in dull black and white instead of vibrant color. Whether it’s an important work document, a school project, or a colorful flyer, this issue can be annoying, especially when you’re unsure what went wrong.

The good news? You’re not alone! Many people encounter this problem, and in most cases, it’s an easy fix. The issue is often caused by incorrect print settings, printer driver limitations, or software glitches that force grayscale printing. Sometimes, even a simple checkbox in your settings can be the culprit.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common reasons your PDF prints in black and white and how to troubleshoot them. We’ll cover:

  • Printer settings that may be forcing grayscale mode.
  • Software issues in Adobe Acrobat, Google Chrome, and other PDF viewers.
  • Driver and hardware problems that may be limiting color printing.
  • Quick fixes to get your prints looking vibrant again.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear solution to bring back the full-color quality of your PDFs without the frustration!

Check Your Printer First

Before diving into software settings, start with the most obvious question: Is your printer even capable of printing in color? Many people overlook this basic detail, especially when using office or budget-friendly home printers. Below are key hardware-related issues that could be causing your PDFs to print in black and white.

Is Your Printer Capable of Color?

Not all printers support color printing. Monochrome laser printers are designed specifically for black-and-white prints, meaning no software setting can make them print in color. If you’re unsure, check:

  • The printer model and specifications (look it up online if needed).
  • The printer’s display screen or manual, which should indicate whether color printing is supported.
  • If your printer has only one toner cartridge, it’s a monochrome printer.
  • If your printer supports color but is still printing in black and white, move on to the next troubleshooting steps.

Low or Empty Color Ink?

Even if your black ink is full, an empty or low color ink cartridge can sometimes prevent color printing. Some printers automatically switch to grayscale when one or more color cartridges are depleted.

Here’s how to check your ink levels:

1. Open your printer’s control panel on your computer.

2. Locate the Ink or Toner Levels section.

3. If any of the color cartridges are low or empty, replace them.

Tip: Some printers won’t print in color if one color cartridge is completely empty, even if the document itself doesn’t need that specific color.

Clogged Print Heads

If your printer has enough ink but still won’t print in color, the print heads might be clogged—especially if you haven’t printed in a while. Dried ink can block colors from properly transferring to paper.

To fix clogged print heads:

1. Run a cleaning cycle from your printer’s settings. Most printers have an automatic “Print Head Cleaning” or “Nozzle Check” option.

2. If cleaning doesn’t work, manually clean the print heads:

  • Remove the ink cartridges and gently wipe the print head with a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water.
  • Let it dry before reinserting.
  • Regular printing can prevent ink from drying up, so try to print in color at least once a week.

Paper Type Settings – Avoiding Forced Grayscale

Some printers automatically switch to grayscale when printing on certain types of paper to conserve ink. If your printer is set to print on matte paper, labels, or draft mode, it may default to black and white.

To adjust this:

1. Open the Print Settings before printing your PDF.

2. Look for a section labeled Paper Type or Media Type.

3. Select the correct paper setting (e.g., Plain Paper or Glossy Photo Paper).

4. Ensure the Color or Automatic setting is selected instead of Grayscale.

PDF-Specific Issues

If your printer is capable of color and has enough ink, but your PDF still prints in black and white, the problem might be within the PDF itself. Certain PDFs are designed to print in grayscale by default, have security restrictions, or contain embedded color profiles that cause issues. Let’s explore these common PDF-specific problems and how to fix them.

Grayscale or Black & White Mode – Is Your PDF Defaulting to Grayscale?

Some PDFs are created in grayscale mode rather than full color. This can happen when a document is scanned in black and white, exported in grayscale, or when the default print settings force monochrome output.

To check and fix this:

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader or another PDF viewer.

2. Click File > Print (or press Ctrl + P / Cmd + P).

3. Look for a Color Mode setting in the print dialog box.

4. If it says Grayscale or Black & White, change it to Color.

5. Click Print Preview to confirm the change before printing.

If your PDF still prints in black and white, the issue might be related to security settings or embedded color profiles.

PDF Security Settings – Does Your File Restrict Color Printing?

Some PDFs have security restrictions that disable color printing to prevent unauthorized modifications or excessive ink usage. These are common in:

  • Official government documents
  • Protected e-books
  • Watermarked or licensed PDFs

To check for security restrictions:

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

2. Click File > Properties (or press Ctrl + D / Cmd + D).

3. Select the Security tab.

4. Look for a section called Printing Allowed:

  • If it says “High Resolution” or “Low Resolution”, color printing should be possible.
  • If it says “Not Allowed”, the document may be locked for color printing.

How to Fix It:

  • If you created the PDF, open it in Adobe Acrobat Pro, go to File > Properties > Security, and change the settings to allow color printing.
  • If you received the PDF from someone else, ask them for a color-enabled version.
  • If the PDF is protected but you have permission to modify it, try “Print as Image” in the print settings—this can sometimes override restrictions.

Corrupt or Embedded Color Profiles – Why Some PDFs Print Incorrectly

PDFs may include embedded color profiles, which define how colors appear on screens and in print. If the color profile is missing, outdated, or incompatible with your printer, the document might print in black and white.

  • Signs of a Corrupt or Problematic Color Profile:
  • The PDF looks colorful on-screen but prints only in grayscale.
  • Some pages print in color while others don’t.
  • The print preview shows black and white despite selecting color mode.

How to Fix It:

1. Convert the PDF to a new format:

  • Open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Click Print, then choose Microsoft Print to PDF (Windows) or Save as PDF (Mac).
  • Open the new PDF and try printing again.

2. Remove the embedded color profile:

  • Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
  • Click Edit > Preflight and choose a standard sRGB color profile.
  • Save the document and retry printing.

3. Try “Print as Image” mode:

  • In the Print dialog box, click Advanced > Print as Image.
  • This bypasses color profile issues and forces the PDF to print exactly as displayed.

How to Check PDF Properties – A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re unsure what’s affecting your PDF’s print settings, checking its properties can give you clues.

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

2. Click File > Properties (or press Ctrl + D / Cmd + D).

3. Under the Description tab, look for:

  • Color Model: If it says Grayscale, the document is designed for black-and-white printing.
  • Embedded Profiles: Shows if a special color profile is affecting the print output.

4. Click the Security tab to see if color printing is restricted.

5. Click the Advanced tab (if available) to check any printer-specific settings.

Printer & Computer Settings

If your PDF still prints in black and white despite checking the printer and PDF settings, the issue may lie within your computer’s print settings, drivers, or operating system conflicts. Let’s go through the most common problems and how to fix them.

Default Print Settings – Is Your Computer Set to Black & White?

Sometimes, your Windows or Mac computer automatically defaults to grayscale printing, even if the document contains color. This can happen if:

  • The printer was previously set to black and white mode, and the setting was never changed back.
  • The default print preset forces monochrome output to save ink.
  • A recent OS update or driver installation reset your printer’s settings.

How to Check & Change Default Print Settings:

On Windows:

1. Open Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click your printer and select Printing Preferences.

3. Look for a Color Mode or Print in Grayscale option.

4. If grayscale is selected, change it to Color and click Apply.

On Mac:

1. Click the Apple menu and go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

2. Select your printer and click Options & Supplies.

3. Go to the Driver or Options tab and ensure Color Printing is enabled.

4. When printing, click Show Details and check that the Color option is selected.

Even if you change these settings, some software applications (like Adobe Acrobat) have their own print settings, so you may need to check those as well.

Driver Issues – Outdated or Incorrect Drivers Can Block Color Printing

A printer driver is software that allows your computer to communicate with your printer. If this driver is outdated or incorrect, it may cause color printing issues, including forcing grayscale output.

Signs of a Driver Problem:

  • You’ve recently updated your operating system, and your printer stopped printing in color.
  • The print dialog box doesn’t show color options anymore.
  • The printer is recognized, but only black-and-white prints come out.

How to Fix Printer Driver Issues:

1. Update the Printer Driver (Windows & Mac):

  • Go to the printer manufacturer’s website (HP, Epson, Canon, etc.).
  • Download the latest driver for your printer model and OS version.
  • Install the driver and restart your computer.

2. Reinstall the Printer:

  • On Windows, go to Devices and Printers, remove the printer, then add it back.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, delete the printer, then re-add it.

3. Check for Generic Drivers:

  • Sometimes, Windows or macOS installs a generic driver that lacks full color support.
  • If color options are missing, manually download the correct driver from the manufacturer.

Operating System Conflicts – Did an OS Update Break Color Printing?

System updates sometimes interfere with printer functionality, causing color printing issues. This is especially common when:

  • A Windows Update automatically installs a new, incompatible driver.
  • A MacOS update resets printer settings or removes older printer support.
  • The printer manufacturer hasn’t yet released a compatible driver for a new OS version.

How to Fix OS-Related Printing Problems:

1. Check for Printer Updates:

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Windows Update > Optional Updates to see if a printer update is available.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Software Update and check for updates.

2. Roll Back a Problematic Update:

  • If printing worked fine before an update, you might need to roll back to a previous driver version.
  • On Windows, go to Device Manager > Printers > Properties > Driver, and click Roll Back Driver.
  • On Mac, you may need to reinstall an earlier OS version or manually download an older driver.

3. Try a Different Print Method:

  • If the usual print dialog is failing, try using Adobe Acrobat’s “Print as Image” option, which bypasses some OS-related issues.

Print Preview Differences – Why Does What You See on Screen Look Different in Print?

Sometimes, the issue isn’t with the printer but with how the print preview displays the document. What you see on-screen may not match what actually prints, leading to unexpected black-and-white output.

Common Causes of Print Preview Differences:

  • The software preview defaults to grayscale, even if the document has color.
  • A hidden “Print in Grayscale” checkbox is enabled somewhere in the settings.
  • The document’s color mode is misinterpreted by the printer (e.g., CMYK vs. RGB).
  • The printer is using an economy or draft mode, which sometimes disables color.

How to Fix Print Preview Issues:

1. Check the Print Preview Window Carefully:

  • If the preview is in black and white, check for a “Print in Color” option.
  • If color settings aren’t visible, click More Settings or Advanced Options.

2. Force Color Printing in Advanced Settings:

  • In Windows, go to Printing Preferences and find the Advanced tab.
  • Change the Color Handling option to Printer Manages Colors.

3. Try Printing from a Different App:

  • If Adobe Acrobat isn’t working, try printing the same PDF from Google Chrome, Preview (Mac), or Microsoft Edge.
  • If another app prints in color, the issue is likely software-related, not hardware.

If your PDFs are still printing in black and white, your computer’s print settings, drivers, or operating system updates may be the cause. By checking your default print settings, updating drivers, troubleshooting OS conflicts, and carefully reviewing print previews, you can restore color printing and avoid frustrating black-and-white surprises!

Fixing the Problem: Step-by-Step Solutions

If your PDF still prints in black and white after checking your printer, PDF settings, and computer configurations, it’s time to dive into practical fixes. Below, we’ll walk through the best ways to troubleshoot and resolve color printing issues.

1. Changing Print Settings in Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is one of the most common PDF viewers, but sometimes its print settings default to grayscale or black and white. Here’s how to ensure it prints in full color:

Step 1: Open the Print Dialog Box

  • Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Click File > Print or press Ctrl + P (Windows) / Cmd + P (Mac).

Step 2: Adjust the Color Settings

  • Look for the Print in Grayscale checkbox.
  • If it’s checked, uncheck it and select Color instead.

Step 3: Check Advanced Print Settings

  • Click Advanced or Properties (this may vary based on your printer).
  • Look for Color Options and ensure it’s set to Color instead of Black & White.
  • Some printers have a Print as Image option, which can override software issues—try selecting this and printing again.

Step 4: Print Preview Check

  • Before printing, look at the Print Preview to see if the document appears in color.
  • If the preview is black and white despite selecting color, try using another PDF viewer (explained below).

2. Updating Printer Drivers

If your printer’s software is outdated, it may not correctly interpret color data from PDFs. Updating or reinstalling the driver can often fix this.

Step 1: Identify Your Printer Model

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Manage > Printer Properties.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and check its details.

Step 2: Download the Latest Driver

  • Visit the printer manufacturer’s website (e.g., HP, Epson, Canon, Brother).
  • Look for a Support or Drivers section.
  • Enter your printer model and download the latest driver for your operating system.

Step 3: Install the New Driver

  • Run the downloaded file and follow the installation steps.
  • Restart your computer and printer.
  • Try printing the PDF again with color settings enabled.

3. Adjusting Printer Preferences (Windows & Mac)

Sometimes, printer settings force grayscale printing regardless of the software settings. Adjusting printer preferences can resolve this.

On Windows:

1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click your printer and select Printing Preferences.

3. Look for a Color Mode or Print in Grayscale setting.

4. If grayscale is selected, change it to Color and click Apply.

5. Try printing again.

On Mac:

1. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

2. Select your printer and click Options & Supplies.

3. Under the Options tab, check if Color Printing is enabled.

4. When printing, click Show Details, ensure Color is selected, and try again.

4. Using an Alternative PDF Viewer

If Adobe Acrobat isn’t printing in color, try a different PDF viewer. Some software interprets PDFs differently and may resolve hidden color issues.

Alternative PDF Viewers to Try:

Windows:

  • Microsoft Edge (built-in)
  • Foxit Reader (free)
  • Google Chrome (open the PDF and print from the browser)

Mac:

  • Preview (built-in PDF viewer)
  • Google Chrome or Safari

How to Print Using Microsoft Edge (Windows):

1. Open the PDF in Microsoft Edge.

2. Press Ctrl + P to open the print dialog.

3. Look for the Color Mode option and select Color.

4. Click Print and check if it prints correctly.

How to Print Using Preview (Mac):

1. Open the PDF in Preview.

2. Click File > Print.

3. Expand the Print Options and make sure Color is selected.

4. Print the document and see if it comes out in color.

5. Converting PDF to Another Format

If nothing works, converting your PDF to another format can sometimes bypass color printing restrictions.

Option 1: Print as an Image (Adobe Acrobat Pro)

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro.

2. Click File > Print.

3. Click Advanced > Print as Image.

4. Select High Resolution and click Print.

Option 2: Convert PDF to Word

1. Use a free online tool like:

  • Adobe’s official PDF-to-Word converter
  • PDF4SURE
  • ILovePDF

2. Open the converted Word document.

3. Click File > Print, ensure Color is selected, and print.

Option 3: Convert PDF to PNG/JPEG

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat.

2. Click Export > Image and save it as a PNG or JPEG.

3. Open the image and print it like a normal picture.

If your PDF prints in black and white, follow these step-by-step solutions:

✅ Check and change Adobe Acrobat’s settings (disable grayscale).

✅ Update your printer drivers to ensure proper color support.

✅ Adjust printer preferences on Windows or Mac.

✅ Try an alternative PDF viewer like Edge, Preview, or Foxit.

✅ Convert the PDF to another format if nothing else works.

By methodically troubleshooting each step, you’ll restore full-color printing and avoid frustrating black-and-white prints!

When All Else Fails: Workarounds

If you’ve tried everything and your PDF still refuses to print in color, don’t panic! Here are a few last-resort solutions that can help bypass stubborn printing issues.

1. Print to Image First

Some PDFs have embedded settings that prevent proper color printing. Converting the PDF into an image format (PNG or JPG) can help.

How to do it:

  • Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
  • Click File > Export To > Image and select PNG or JPG.
  • Open the saved image and print it like a regular photo.

2. Use a Different Device

If your PDF won’t print in color from your computer, try a different device:

✅ Send it to another computer and print from there.

✅ Try printing from a mobile device using an app like Adobe Acrobat or Google Drive.

✅ Use a cloud printer if available.

3. Online PDF Repair Tools

If the PDF is corrupt or has embedded restrictions, online repair tools can help restore it. Some trusted options include:

  • Sejda PDF Repair
  • PDF2Go Repair Tool
  • ILovePDF Repair

4. Ask for a New Copy

If you received the PDF from someone else, it might be corrupt, flattened, or restricted. Request a fresh version in a different format (Word, PNG, or a re-exported PDF).

Conclusion

Printing a PDF in color can be tricky, but most issues have a simple fix. To recap:

✅ Check your printer settings – make sure color mode is enabled.

✅ Verify PDF settings – disable grayscale or black-and-white printing.

✅ Update drivers and adjust system preferences – outdated software can interfere.

✅ Try a different PDF viewer or device – some programs handle color differently.

✅ Use workarounds – convert the PDF to an image or repair it online.

By systematically troubleshooting, you’ll solve the issue and get your vibrant, full-color prints in no time!

By PDF, PDF Printing