Applies to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP5

6 Managing printers #

Learn how to set up printers and manage print jobs.

SUSE® Linux Enterprise Desktop makes it easy to print your documents, whether your computer is connected directly to a printer or linked remotely on a network. This chapter describes how to set up printers in SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop and manage print jobs.

6.1 Installing a printer #

Before you can install a printer, you need to know the root password and have your printer information ready. Depending on how you connect the printer, you might also need the printer URI, TCP/IP address or host, and the driver for the printer. A number of common printer drivers ship with SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop. If you cannot find a driver for the printer, check the printer manufacturer's Web site.

Make sure the CUPS printing service is available and automatically started at boot time:
```
> sudo systemctl enable cups.service
> sudo systemctl start cups.service
```
Start the printer configuration by right-clicking the desktop and choosing Settings and then Printers.
Click Unlock in the upper right corner and enter the root password.
Click the Add button.
If there are too many printers in the list, filter them by entering an IP address or a keyword into the search field in the lower part of the dialog.
Select a printer from the list of available printers and click Add.

The installed printer appears in the Printers panel. You can now print to the printer from any application.

6.1.1 Installing a local printer #

Connect the printer cable to your computer and connect the printer's power supply. Your system can recognize many types of printers once they are connected.

If your printer was not recognized automatically, proceed as follows:

Open the Activities overview and start typing Printers.
Click Printers. You may have to press Unlock in the top-right corner and type in your root password.
Press the Add button.
In the pop-up window, select your printer and press Add.

The installed printer appears in the Printers dialog box. You can now print to the printer from any application.

6.2 Modifying printer settings #

Open the Activities overview and start typing Printers.
Click Printers to open the panel.
Depending on your system, you may have to press Unlock in the top-right corner and type in your root password.
Click the Settings button next to the printer.
Select Printer Details.
Modify the printer settings to your needs and close the dialog.

6.3 Canceling print jobs #

If you accidentally started a print job, you can cancel the print to save paper and ink.

Open the Activities overview and start typing Printers.
Click Printers to open the panel.
Click the Show Jobs button on the right hand-side of the Printers dialog.
If the print job does not appear in the list, it may be printed already.
Cancel the print job by clicking the Stop button.