PDF file completely silently fails to print, computer claims it printed, printer shows no trace of it
Affects | Status | Importance | Assigned to | Milestone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
cups-filters (Ubuntu) |
Fix Released
|
Medium
|
Unassigned |
Bug Description
I have an HP LaserJet M551dn printer which usually works just fine with CUPS. Tonight, however, I discovered that I was completely unable to print one particular PDF file (unfortunately I can't provide you with the file because it's a scan of a tax form with PII on it). CUPS claimed that it printed the file and there are no errors in the log. On the other side, the printer doesn't show any trace of the file haven't been sent to it. The print job isn't in the job log, and at no point while CUPS claims it's printing does the printer make any noise or any of its lights blink as they usually do when a job is being sent to it.
I don't know how to debug this further. I'm attaching the section of /var/log/
This is reproducible every time with this particular file, including immediately after updating to all current Jammy packages and rebooting.
ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 22.04
Package: cups 2.4.1op1-1ubuntu4
ProcVersionSign
Uname: Linux 5.15.0-23-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu80
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckR
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Mon Apr 4 20:51:23 2022
InstallationDate: Installed on 2019-01-02 (1188 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 18.10 "Cosmic Cuttlefish" - Release amd64 (20181017.3)
Lpstat:
device for duplex: socket:
device for HP_LaserJet_
device for simplex: socket:
MachineType: Acer Predator G6-710
Papersize: letter
PpdFiles:
Error: command ['fgrep', '-H', '*NickName', '/etc/cups/
grep: /etc/cups/
grep: /etc/cups/
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=
SourcePackage: cups
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to jammy on 2022-02-20 (43 days ago)
dmi.bios.date: 05/18/2016
dmi.bios.release: 5.11
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: R01-A4
dmi.board.name: Predator G6-710
dmi.board.vendor: Acer
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: Acer
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmerican
dmi.product.family: Acer Desktop
dmi.product.name: Predator G6-710
dmi.sys.vendor: Acer
Could you print your file from the command line, using
lp -d duplex file.pdf
lp -d duplex -o pdftops-renderer=gs file.pdf
file.pdf is the file you mention which does not print on your printer.
Please try the 2 command. Tell us which of them prints which of them not.
Your log shows that the job gets correctly filtered and sent off to the printer. The printer might have a bug in its PostScript interpreter making it not print some files. The "-o pdftops- renderer= gs" option of the second command lets another filter for converting your PDF file into PostScript being used. The resulting different PostScript file could perhaps not trigger the bug in the printer.
You can make this setting default via
lpadmin -p duplex -o pdftops- renderer- default= gs
and remove the default setting via
lpadmin -p duplex -R pdftops- renderer- default
Please tell us your experience.