[SOLVED] Install my printer just fine in Ubuntu but can't get it to print

[HTC]

I have an Epson Ecotank L355 printer and, using Ubuntu 18.04.4 LTS, i can install my printer just fine as it gets recognized, with everything appearing to be in order ... and when i attempt to print a test page it appears successful ... but nothing happens ...

Tried repeatedly to un-install / re-install but i just can't get it to work.

Any help is appreciated.

EDIT

The printer is hooked up via USB.

 

[Vayra86]

Does the printer have a wireless access point? If so, double check what Printer device you are sending documents over. It may well end up on the wrong queue and never print.

Next step would be inspection of ink and paper tray, if the software and PC sends correctly the printer might fail on something mechanically or there is an error message on it... hopefully.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Have you tried a different USB port?

 

[blobster21]

Hi, did you try to play with the settings, and decrease the printing resolution to 600dpi ?

 

[HTC]

Have you tried a different USB port?

Yes, and i get the same result: says active job, then it disappears as if it's done, except it's not.

Does the printer have a wireless access point? If so, double check what Printer device you are sending documents over. It may well end up on the wrong queue and never print.

Next step would be inspection of ink and paper tray, if the software and PC sends correctly the printer might fail on something mechanically or there is an error message on it... hopefully.

How do i do this?

No errors: it's as if it finishes the job, except it didn't start it

Hi, did you try to play with the settings, and decrease the printing resolution to 600dpi ?

The highest is 360x216.

 

[Vayra86]

Yes, and i get the same result: says active job, then it disappears as if it's done, except it's not.

How do i do this?

No errors: it's as if it finishes the job, except it didn't start it

The highest is 360x216.

Depends on each printer but usually if it has a wireless protocol it also has a separate device in Devices and Printers for it. Check what device is set as default.

It might also be sending over a PDF writer of some sort.

 

[HTC]

Depends on each printer but usually if it has a wireless protocol it also has a separate device in Devices and Printers for it. Check what device is set as default.

It might also be sending over a PDF writer of some sort.

Spot any problems?

 

[Vayra86]

No, seems to be on the USB port.

Should it report ink/toner levels? If its does, the printer might not communicate properly, as they do not show.

Can you clean the print heads with that button there?

 

[HTC]

No, seems to be on the USB port.

Should it report ink/toner levels? If its does, the printer might not communicate properly, as they do not show.

Doesn't report: not supported

 

[thebluebumblebee]

???Generic ESC/P Dot matrix printer?????

 

[HTC]

???Generic ESC/P Dot matrix printer?????

I noticed that too, but the installation got the driver from Epson: can't select the exact model, since it's not listed.

 

[Aquinus]

Printers and Ubuntu are a little bit of a pain in the ass. It really depends on the vendor and how much effort they put into making their drivers not garbage. I have an HP LaserJet MFP, mainly because I print and scan a lot of documents (and I hate ink drying out.) Out of the box, it prints fine when using it as a network attached printer and not via USB. Out of the box, I'm missing a boatload of features, like the ability to scan documents. Most of the time to get things to work, I need software from the vendor and you need to follow instructions to the letter. It seems to be really easy to screw up installing printer drivers which seems ass backwards to me.

I just checked the vendor's site for your EcoTank printer you have and it doesn't appear that they even support Linux, however I would try downloading the x86_64 .deb driver from here and try re-adding the printer to see where that gets you: https://www.openprinting.org/printer/Epson/Epson-L355_Series

I personally like to stick with HP when using Linux because their driver support isn't half bad, but printers on Linux just kind of suck... but that's because printers... well... just kind of suck.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

but printers on Linux just kind of suck... but that's because printers... well... just kind of suck.

 

[Aquinus]

Seriously though, I've never fought with a device more than printers. They're kind of like Hei Hei in Moana.

 

[HTC]

Printers and Ubuntu are a little bit of a pain in the ass. It really depends on the vendor and how much effort they put into making their drivers not garbage. I have an HP LaserJet MFP, mainly because I print and scan a lot of documents (and I hate ink drying out.) Out of the box, it prints fine when using it as a network attached printer and not via USB. Out of the box, I'm missing a boatload of features, like the ability to scan documents. Most of the time to get things to work, I need software from the vendor and you need to follow instructions to the letter. It seems to be really easy to screw up installing printer drivers which seems ass backwards to me.

I just checked the vendor's site for your EcoTank printer you have and it doesn't appear that they even support Linux, however I would try downloading the x86_64 .deb driver from here and try re-adding the printer to see where that gets you: https://www.openprinting.org/printer/Epson/Epson-L355_Series

I personally like to stick with HP when using Linux because their driver support isn't half bad, but printers on Linux just kind of suck... but that's because printers... well... just kind of suck.

I've been to that site earlier today: when i press the link "how to install" after that .deb link, i get "This topic does not exist yet" ... which is most helpful ...

I never installed stuff via deb files so dunno how to proceed after downloading both the .rpm and the .deb files.

 

[Aquinus]

I never installed stuff via deb files so dunno how to proceed after downloading both the .rpm and the .deb files.

I can help you there, installing `.deb` files is very easy, however not typically recommended. If you're downloading files to your `/home/username/Downloads` directory, you should be able to run this after downloading it:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/epson-inkjet-printer-201207w_1.0.0-1lsb3.2_amd64.deb

I actually install `.deb` files on a regular basis since I tend to run mainline kernels to get the latest GPU enhancements.

 

[HTC]

I can help you there, installing `.deb` files is very easy, however not typically recommended. If you're downloading files to your `/home/username/Downloads` directory, you should be able to run this after downloading it:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/epson-inkjet-printer-201207w_1.0.0-1lsb3.2_amd64.deb

I actually install `.deb` files on a regular basis since I tend to run mainline kernels to get the latest GPU enhancements.

Not cooperating ...

Tried installing "lsb" and got this:



EDIT

I use "UKUU" to install the newest kernels.

 

[Aquinus]

View attachment 154946

Not cooperating ...

Tried installing "lsb" and got this:

View attachment 154947

EDIT

I use "UKUU" to install the newest kernels.

Do as it suggests. The installed .deb file is probably in a half-baked state.

sudo apt --fix-broken install lsb

This is why using dpkg sucks. Managing dependencies is a pain in the ass.

 

[HTC]

Do as it suggests. The installed .deb file is probably in a half-baked state.

sudo apt --fix-broken install lsb

This is why using dpkg sucks. Managing dependencies is a pain in the ass.

With the package name, it didn't work. Without the package name, it's installing "something" ...

Did it work?

In the Devices / Printer i see no apparent changes.

 

[Aquinus]

With the package name, it didn't work. Without the package name, it's installing "something" ...

What does it say it's going to do? I've seen weird behavior in the past where it thinks uninstalling everything is a good idea.

Did it work?

In the Devices / Printer i see no apparent changes.

Looks like it. Remove the printer in the interface and re-add it. Let Ubuntu try to auto-detect and see if it comes up with a different driver.

Edit: You might have to manually select the driver that was installed, but it's best to not hunt around for it if you don't have to.

 

[HTC]

What does it say it's going to do? I've seen weird behavior in the past where it thinks uninstalling everything is a good idea.


Looks like it. Remove the printer in the interface and re-add it. Let Ubuntu try to auto-detect and see if it comes up with a different driver.

It added this.

SUCCESS

Attempting to print now: @ least the job no longer disappears, but it's taking a heck of a long time to print.

EDIT

Printing right now: YES!!!!!!

Thank you!

It's ALIVE ...

 

[HTC]

Something's not right: when i print a document, it gets held after printing about 1/3 of the page, like so:

When i try to resume, it starts over instead but gets held again after printing about 1/3 of the page, and if i try to resume again, it does the exact same thing.

Any ideas?

 

[Aquinus]

I have never experienced that before. Does anything fun or exciting happen in `/var/log/syslog` when you're printing?

Before you start printing, run something like `tail -f /var/log/syslog` and then watch the output when you go to print.

 

[HTC]

I have never experienced that before. Does anything fun or exciting happen in `/var/log/syslog` when you're printing?

Before you start printing, run something like `tail -f /var/log/syslog` and then watch the output when you go to print.

Got held, same as before

Anything "fun" in that pic?

EDIT

I entered the command in the terminal BEFORE starting to print.

 

[Vayra86]

but that's because printers... well... just kind of suck.

QFT!