Linux Mint 19.1 Wireless Printer issues

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[LHiggins]

Good morning! I have been having a problem getting my wireless printer to work properly with Linux Mint 19.1.

The issue seems to be that the printer is somehow set to print thumbnails of whatever I send to it to print – not a full page print.

The printer is a Canon MG7520 series multifunction printer/scanner/copier. It works fine wirelessly with my Windows 7 and 10 laptops, and fine if I use it wired to my Win 7 desktop. However, when I tried to add it to use through Linux Mint 19.1, it won’t print properly.

So far I have tried to adjust the Printer Properties dialog box and changed the scaling from None to Fill to Fit – all of those have the same result – a very tiny image that appears to be a thumbnail of the original file. Here is that dialog box:

This was a Libre Office text document – when I started the print process, the print preview showed that document as a normal sized document:

No matter how I try to find and adjust settings, this thumbnail printing seems to be the only way it will print.

I also tried a test page from that printer – again it was a whole page of thumbnails of the test page:

I am pretty new to Linux – I run it from a full install on a 64gb USB drive, and have just downloaded many updates, so except for the number 3 and 4 kernel and software updates, it is up to date. I was hoping that I could resolve this printing issue before adding anything else to it through kernel changes – unless that might help to resolve the issue.

I should add – the scan function of that Canon MG7520 works properly and the scans attached here were done using that scanner.

I hope that someone might have a solution to this. I guess I can always attach the laptop to the printer wired, but I would rather get it working properly wirelessly.

Thanks in advance for any ideas. I will be happy to try to post additional info if that will help.

LH

• This topic was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by LHiggins.
• This topic was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by LHiggins.

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I should also add (too late to edit!) that this same printing behavior happens when I try to print from email -Thunderbird – and from Opera and Firefox as well. Whatever I try to send to the printer always prints as a thumbnail.

 

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LHiggins wrote:

I should also add (too late to edit!) that this same printing behavior happens when I try to print from email -Thunderbird – and from Opera and Firefox as well. Whatever I try to send to the printer always prints as a thumbnail.

 

Why not update to the latest Mint 19.2 ? It may solve your problem.

https://www.neowin.net/news/want-to-test-a-windows-10-alternative-heres-how-to-install-linux-mint-192

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LHiggins

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Hi Alex,

Indeed it might! I really am just getting back to using Mint 19.2 and was hoping that there would be some solution before I upgrade to the next version. Thanks for the link, though! I am still figuring out if I’m going to continue using this full install on USB for a while or do a dual boot on my Win 7 laptop – if that is the case, i will most likely start with Mint 19.2

Thanks for the suggestions!

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Disclaimer: I don’t have or know Linux.
In the MG7500 Series (Windows or Mac) User Manual, do a Search for [ page layout ]. This may give a clue; or may not be useful at all.

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LHiggins

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Hi Paul! Nice to see you!

I will check out the manual, and also maybe there is a Linux driver for that printer that I need to get. It seemed it should work wirelessly right off, but it apparently doesn’t!

Thanks!

Lily

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Hmmm – something weird going on! Paul – I got an email with your message saying:

“PaulK wrote:

I’m not slipping – I’ve already slipped – brain cells. Should have focused on the driver, not the steering wheel.

Go to the downloads site, and pull down the Operating System selection.

Post Link: https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/linux-mint-19-1-wireless-printer-issues/#post-1939182 ”

But – I don’t see it here! Strange. Second one that wasn’t visible – see below. But yes – I think that looking into the driver maybe be the solution! I will post back later or in the morning with my progress! Thanks!!

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Yes, my bad. After posting, I realized that there is no Linux download listed, so I edited the post and cleared the text. (Delete function has been withdrawn.) Since the post is gone I would posit that a moderator properly did a delete, and it no longer exists. Fingers overrun vs. comprehension. Sorry.

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[LHiggins]

I got a notice that said:

“Microfix wrote:

Instead of US Letter try changing the ‘media size’ field to A4.

Post Link: https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/linux-mint-19-1-wireless-printer-issues/#post-1938598

But I don’t see that post here now. In any case – tried that – same result, unfortunately.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by LHiggins.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by LHiggins.

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Where did you get the printer driver? Did you download it from a Canon website?

I found the drivers for my Canon PIXMA on the Canon Thailand website – I tried that one, because Woody’s wife is from Thailand, and he lived there for many years.

Try some of the different Canon Global websites. If you find the drivers for your printer, download them, along with the instructions. Then follow the instructions very carefully.

No need to install the scanner drivers, since the scanner is working for you. (If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.)

Update: I went to the Canon UK website and found drivers for the Canon Pixma MG7540. I suggest that you install that printer driver. Download the one entitled “IJ Printer Driver Ver. 5.00 for Linux (debian Packagearchive)”.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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LHiggins

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I was just replying to PaulK above and had that same thought – I need to look into a printer driver for Linux for that printer. I didn’t get one – seemed like if the printer was on the wireless network, it should work, since the scanner part does, but this size thing is making me a bit crazy! Maybe there is a driver that will fix it.

But do you know – will downloading a Linux driver interfere with using that same printer with Windows 10 on a different computer – or Windows 7 on this laptop when I boot back into it. Since both of those work now – I don’t want to add any issues to those.

Thanks!!

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Downloading and installing the Canon Linux printer driver won’t have any impact on your Windows 10 computer, or your Windows 7 partition on this computer. It will affect only your Linux install.

See my reply to your previous post – I found what I believe is a compatible printer driver on the Canon UK website.

It is good that you first installed the printer in Windows. Doing so caused the router to connect with it. Now that that step has been accomplished, Linux will be able to see the printer via Wifi. If you had not first connected the wireless printer to the router in some way, Linux wouldn’t be able to see it, because Canon didn’t include the needed functionality in their Linux printer driver. (In their Windows printer driver, you have the option of connecting the printer to the computer via USB cable, and the software will then set up the wireless connection; sadly, that functionality was omitted from the Linux printer driver.)

Oops! I forgot to include the link to the printer driver! Here it is:

https://www.canon.co.uk/support/consumer_products/products/fax__multifunctionals/inkjet/pixma_mg_series/pixma_mg7540.html?type=drivers&language=en&os=linux%20(64-bit)

Be sure to get the one entitled “IJ Printer Driver Ver. 5.00 for Linux (debian Packagearchive)”. “Debian” is the key, because that is what is compatible with Linux Mint.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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LHiggins

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[LHiggins]

Thanks so much for the link and driver info! I will give that a try since I do want the printer to work with my Linux as well as Windows. And glad I did it in the right order – just by accident actually – but glad it was the right way to do it!

Thanks again for the help – hope this fixes it!

ETA: I just looked at the driver site – so I would just download it and install it? Are there any special instructions that I’d need – or are they part of the download? Thanks again for finding this!

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by LHiggins.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by LHiggins.

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Wow Canon’s site says you refer to the manual, that may not be helpful to folks…

Use an archive manager to extract the file to a directory; Or it is easier to use the file manager as it may have the option right click on a file and then maybe extract a archive.

The file extraction can be under Downloads for now, the directory should be the name of cnijfilter2-5.00-1-deb.

There should be a shell script file under that directory named install.sh, you may be able to execute it using the file manager. If the easy way will not work you will have to open a terminal window. Just a reminder that GNU/Linux is case sensitive:

• type: cd Downloads/cnijfilter2-5.00-1-deb
• chmod +x install.sh
• sudo ./install.sh will start the installation of the printer driver.

The command sudo usually is required for root permissions, like Windows’ Administrator account.

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LHiggins

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Read through the three files I have attached below: Preparation, Installation, and Uninstallation. These came with my printer driver, and these same instructions should work with what you downloaded.

Go with the Ubuntu option, not the Fedora option, whenever there is a choice.

I know that the driver you downloaded isn’t for the exact same model number, but it is close. It should work.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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LHiggins

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Thanks so much for these guides – I will read them over. I haven’t downloaded the driver yet – this is all just a bit over my head – LOL – since I am pretty new to Linux, but the guides will surely help.

I did recheck and the printer works fine when attached with the USB cable to the laptop. I am wondering if perhaps the fact that I installed the same printer twice – once as a wired printer back when I was first testing Linux several months ago, and then again as a wireless printer when I started using Linux again last week.  Would having the same printer “installed” both ways be part of the issue? And I wonder if there is a way to just make the initial install also be able to be accessed wirelessly. I know – very confusing!

Or maybe that wireless printer needs to be uninstalled and reinstalled using a different process – I think I just “added” that printer from that same dialog box.

In any case – I will read through the guides and download that driver package and see if I can install it.

Thanks again for the help and advice!

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You can have both instances installed but pick one for the sake of clarity, a device attached to a network or USB connection.

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OK – not sure I understand. The wired install will print fine when attached to the USB – but it won’t print wirelessly.

The wireless installation is the one that won’t print properly – didn’t even try choosing that one when attached since I would expect the same behavior whether wired or not.

The only way I can now use that printer with Linux is with the USB wired choice.

 

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There are two icons which mean there are two copies of the printer driver installed, one is WiFi the other is the USB connection. If it is not already set, you should be able to right click on the icon labeled MG7500-series to set it as the default printer.

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LHiggins

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Ah – gotcha! Yes, I did set that one as the default. Thanks!

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… with these it’s sometimes more useful to forgo the manufacturer’s provided drivers and just push generic PS or PCL at it via LPR. IF the printer takes one of those control languages, that is, and has LPR functionality.

With this model the user manual tells you how to switch LPR on or off, so that at least is there, but I didn’t find a mention on control languages.

Really, with some printers getting the page margins right was automatic on “Generic PS” / LPR, and almost impossible via the official drivers… yes, even new printers and with Windows, was a large and newish Canon where I eventually set it up to print label sheets from Crystal Reports on Windows that way when nothing else worked right.

(LPR is the traditional UNIX printing protocol, and the BSD version of it was the de-facto standard on Linux too before CUPS and IPP. BSD and SysV versions are network-interoperable anyway)

Even if there’s a specific printer driver, especially wifi printing can sometimes be more reliable with that driver over LPR than whatever default protocol is offered, depending on printer and network specifics.

MrJimPhelps wrote:

Downloading and installing the Canon Linux printer driver won’t have any impact on your Windows 10 computer, or your Windows 7 partition on this computer. It will affect only your Linux install.

… but simultaneous direct use from two computers may sometimes not work – same as if you had two Windows computers. If that happens, you might prefer to define the printer as a direct network printer on just one computer, and then share it from that to the other one…

With some printers and drivers, the ink level monitoring component seems to reserve the printer for exclusive direct use by that computer. In some other cases, printing one job reserves the printer to that computer until the printer is rebooted. Neither of these was a Canon though…

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LHiggins

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Thanks everyone for all of this information! I also wanted to say that this printer is model 7520 – not 7540, so I am not sure that driver will work anyway.

I’ll look more into generic drivers, and also try to connect it so I can use it as a wired printer, and see if that works as a backup till I get this all figured out.

Much appreciated!! I’ll post back later on with additional questions.

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Some questions I forgot to ask: You did not see any options for paper saving or multi-page printing? What did the Settings and Job Options tabbed dialog box have in them?

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[LHiggins]

Neither of those paper saving settings:

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by LHiggins.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by LHiggins.

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Under Common Options Pages per side is set to 16 it should be 1, that is yet another different term for that… Try print a new page, it should be normal after saving the change.

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LHiggins

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Hallelujah! That was it! It worked great – once I changed that 16 to 1! Perfect – I can’t say how much I appreciate your help! Such a simple thing – and something that I will definitely keep an eye on in case it changes mysteriously!

So glad you knew how to fix it – much appreciated!

Lily

 

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And – thanks to everyone who contributed ideas to this thread!! All were helpful and so glad that it did get resolved. I always know I can count on help in this forum! You guys are all great!

Have a great weekend everyone and thanks again!

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