Unable to print with Linux Mint computers

[MattC1]

Hi,

I've been trying to set up new computers at work with Linux Mint 21 (LM21) (trying to get away from Windows). There are four that are of interest - all should be linked to a hp laserJet M15W printer via the router (wifi/ethernet). Two are Win10 and two are LM21. The printer suggests from early on that the toner is low - even though it most definitely is not. The problem is that, on the Win10 computers, the documents print, despite the low toner warning, but they don't on the LM21 computers. All of them recognise the printer, all of them receive the warning, but the LM21 computers state that the printer cancelled the jobs. Is there a 'switch' that the LMs have that says to the printer "I know you're low on toner, but print the boomin' thing anyway!" This seems to be what the Win computers do.

Any ideas?

Matt

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @MattC1,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your printer!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps:

Setting Up the Printer on Linux Mint 21

Install HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing):

• HPLIP provides a unified interface for managing HP printers on Linux.
• Open the terminal and install HPLIP:sudo apt update sudo apt install hplip
• Some distributions may come with a pre-installed version of HPLIP. Make sure it's the latest version.

Configure the Printer:

• Open the HP Device Manager GUI or use the terminal to set up your printer:hp-setup
• Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the printer. Ensure you choose the correct network option if you're connecting via Wi-Fi/ethernet.

Verify Printer Installation:

• Once configured, print a test page to verify the setup. You can do this via HP Device Manager or using the following command:lpstat -p

Troubleshooting Toner Low Warning

The low toner warning may occasionally show incorrectly due to a software glitch. Here’s how to resolve it on Linux:

Check Toner Levels via HPLIP:

• Access the HP Device Manager:hp-toolbox
• Check the toner levels and verify the status of the cartridge.

Reset the Printer:

• Sometimes resetting the printer helps refresh its status.
• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source for about 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and power on the printer.

Firmware Update:

• Make sure the printer's firmware is up to date. Check HP's website for any firmware updates which may address false low toner warnings.

Ignore Toner Warning (Linux Mint):

• If the warning persists but the printer works correctly on Windows and prints adequately, you may suppress the low toner warning notifications.

Additional Steps

Ensure Network Connectivity:

• Verify that your Linux Mint computers and the printer are connected to the same network.

Review Printer Logs:

• Check the printer logs for any errors or warnings that may help diagnose the issue:tail -f /var/log/cups/error_log

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[MattC1]

Thank you for your reply. My apologies for the delayed response.  I am messaging from home, but the computer and printer are at work.

I have tried the suggestions you have put here.  However, they do not seem to work.  The printer is in the printer list of the various applications that I use, and the application obviously tries to communicate with the printer.  However, when I try to find the device using HPLIP,  it seems to have problems.

Attempting to find it using the 'Wireless/802.11' option, I connect using the USB cable and get 'Wireless capable device found'. But when I click 'Next', I get 'An I/O error occurred'.

When using the 'Network/Ethernet/Wireless network' option, I get 'HPLIP cannot detect printers on your network'.

You recommend that 'If the warning persists but the printer works correctly on Windows and prints adequately, you may suppress the low toner warning notification.'  However, I do not know how to do this.

I believe the printers and computers are on the same network, as the applications see the printer in the printer list and try to print, only to be 'Cancelled by the printer'.

Matt

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @MattC1,

Thank you for the response.

try this universal workaround:

Go to Printers > Add Printer

Select AppSocket/HP JetDirect

Enter: socket://<printer-ip>

Choose Generic > PCL 6/PCL XL Printer driver

This bypasses smart toner checking and forces raw printing.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[MattC1]

Thanks.  However, I do not know the ip address of the printer or how to find it.  I'm putting in various ip addresses that look like they may be right - e.g. using ifconfig and iwconfig, and variations of the values, but all I get is no printers found.  Also, the computers are seeing the printers, anyway.  What's happening is that they don't want to print, as the printer says low on toner.  (Sorry, I may be getting a little confused as to the nature of your suggestions, but I've not had this issue before when installing new printers of computers.  So please bear with my ignorance.  Your experience and suggestions are valuable.)

Matt

[MattC1]

Additional.

I have connected the printer directly to the computer via USB after turning the Wifi off.  The printer is immediately recognised and seems to accept information.  However, the printer is still not printing due to low toner.

[Garp_senchau]

@MattC1, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you so much for posting your query! My colleague @Kuroi_Kenshi is currently out, but don't worry – I’ll be taking over and making sure we get this sorted for you.

I’m here to help, and together, we’ll work through this!

I suggest you refer to this guide: HP Linux Imaging and Printing | hp's Developer Portal

Also, it looks like the printer is being recognized and is accepting print jobs, but it's still not printing. Can you please check the toner levels? It may be too low, and that could be causing the issue.

I truly hope these steps help get things back on track. If you have any questions or need any further clarification, just let me know – I’m happy to guide you through it and make sure everything works perfectly.

Take care, and I hope you have an amazing day ahead! 😊

Problem solved? 🎉 That’s fantastic! If you could mark this as the Accepted Solution, it would help others find their way here faster. And if you found this helpful, a simple ‘yes’ would mean a lot – it makes my day and gives this reply a little street cred! 🏅

Regards,

[MattC1]

Hi.  Thanks for taking over.

As stated in my original post, "The printer suggests from early on that the toner is low - even though it most definitely is not. The problem is that, on the Win10 computers, the documents print, despite the low toner warning, but they don't on the LM21 computers. All of them recognise the printer, all of them receive the warning, but the LM21 computers state that the printer cancelled the jobs."  Low toner is not the problem.  The problem is being able to print with the low toner warning just as Windows does.  Somehow, somewhere, there must be some sort of override switch that Linux can throw at the printer, just as Windows does.

Matt

[Garp_senchau]

Hey @MattC1, 

Thanks for reaching out! Since the issue remains unresolved, I suggest contacting our phone/chat support team for personalized assistance. They can provide one-on-one help and may even be able to work their remote assistance magic to fix the problem.

Note: There might be a nominal charge for the service they provide.

Regards,

[MattC1]

Thanks.  Because its at work, using the chat support seems the better option, but I can't figure out how to get it.  When I go down the 'Contact' route I always get to a page that asks me to put in the printer's serial number.  When I do, it tells me it can't find it.  Is there not a link I can just click on to ask for general help?