Usually printing with Linux is easy. Most USB printers are automatically configured when plugged in and nothing additional is required to make them work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, I recently had a problem where two of my USB printers would print garbage or not print at all. Both are Brother printers but different models. One is an HL2270DW B&W laser printer and the other is an MVC-9340CDW multifunction printer-copier-scanner. At first I thought the problem was related to the fact they are from the same manufacturer. But after a bit more work I discovered the real problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One day when working with some of my cables, I realized that the USB cable from my main workstation connected to a long extension and then into a non-powered USB 2.0 hub. From there a USB cable went to each of the printers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I decided to change this setup and see what would happen. I replaced the long extended pair of USB cables with a single USB cable connected to my USB 3.0 powered hub. This replacement cable connected to a second USB 3.0 powered hub, and from there USB cables diverged to each of my printers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everything now works fine and after a bit of experimenting I determined that it was the long cable run with an extension and the lack of power on the last USB hub that caused the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are having problems with USB printers that print garbage or not at all, try to shorten your cable runs and be sure to use well-powered USB hubs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Usually printing with Linux is easy. Most USB printers are automatically configured when plugged in and nothing additional is required to make them work. However, I recently had a problem where two of my USB printers would print garbage or…<\/p>\n