Easy Printer Setup in Ubuntu Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide
Printer setup in Ubuntu Linux lets you connect USB and wireless printers so you can print documents right from your desktop. Recent versions like Ubuntu 22.04 LTS spot most hardware automatically the moment you plug in a USB cable or join your Wi-Fi network.
When Ubuntu misses your device, the built-in Printers tool adds local and network printers in a few clicks. Press the Super key, type “Printers” in the search box, and open the settings panel to set up your hardware.
Connect your printer via USB or Wi-Fi , and Ubuntu often detects it automatically. If not, open Settings , click Printers, then Add a Printer to begin the guided setup.
How to install local or network printer in Ubuntu Linux
To install a local or network printer in Ubuntu Linux, open the Settings app, select Printers, and click Add Printer to let the system detect and configure your device automatically. Ubuntu searches for the right drivers on your network or downloads them directly so you can start printing right away without needing extra installation discs.
Here is how you can connect a printer to Ubuntu.
First, make sure your printer is turned on when you connect the USB cable to your Ubuntu desktop.
Ubuntu automatically installs connected printers using the best available drivers. Enter your administrator password if prompted to finish installing the driver.
A message pops up when the system finishes installing the printer. Choose Print Test Page to print a test page, or select Options to make other adjustments in the printer setup.
If the above steps do not add your printer to Ubuntu Linux, manual installation serves as an alternative. This process uses a specific driver file for your printer model. Follow the instructions in the next section to find and load this driver.
Ubuntu centralizes hardware controls within the **System Settings** panel. Access this hub by clicking the System menu in the top-right corner of your desktop.
Alternatively, click the System menu in the top-right corner of your desktop's top bar.
On the System menu, select Settings, as shown below.
Click on the Printers tile within the Settings app to open that panel.
In the System - Printer settings pane, click the Add a Printer button to start adding printers to Ubuntu Linux.
If your printer connects to Ubuntu Linux using a USB cable, Ubuntu Linux will detect the printer automatically when the printer scan begins, ensuring a smooth setup process.
In the pop-up window, select your new printer and click Add.
Troubleshooting installation issues might require installing printer drivers directly from the manufacturer's website or updating your Ubuntu Linux system.
Read the post below to learn how to install additional printer drivers in Ubuntu Linux.
How to install additional printer drivers in Ubuntu Linux
Getting a printer running on Ubuntu takes very little effort. Modern versions recognize most major brands instantly using pre-installed drivers.
- Setting up a printer in Ubuntu Linux is now effortless, whether it's a local or network printer.
- Ubuntu's improved recognition of printer brands with pre-installed drivers simplifies the installation process.
- The centralized System Settings panel and the "Add a Printer" button streamline the manual installation of printers.
- Troubleshooting options, such as installing additional printer drivers from the manufacturer's website, are available if needed.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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