[SOLVED] Brother laser printer double-sided function lost

kenb1000 · 02-23-2023, 11:24 PM

Running Linux Mint 20.3. Suddenly I've developed a printing problem. I have a Brother HL-L2300D monochrome laser printer. Until recently I was able to use the double-sided printing option. Now it doesn't work. I tried deleting the printer and re-installing using an updated proprietary driver from Brother but the problem persists.

I did a web search for this problem but couldn't find any solutions.

I recently had to replace the printer drum but I don't see how that could have caused the problem - but maybe it did? Is this possible?

Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

camorri · 02-24-2023, 08:13 AM

Have you looked at the default settings in cups for your printer? If not, start there. I have a HLL2320D, afaik, it is very similar to a HLL2300D.

I can select Duplex/tumble or Duplex/notumble or none. Make sure you have a duplex option selected.

Next, I would verify you see the same settings in Printer Settings. Most distros have such a setting. Duplex setting should match the cups setting.

Lastly, most applications you print from have printer settings. I tested mine using Libreoffice writer. Check those settings as well.

Let us know how it goes.

kenb1000 · 02-24-2023, 12:30 PM

Thanks for your response. I went into CUPS, made the change and it's now working. I tested it in LibreOffice and pdf Studio Viewer.

What puzzles me is that it still will not print double-sided if I open the file using Xreader, which did work in the past. What I notice now is that in Xreader in the print dialog window the options for 2-sided are Long Edge (Standard) and Short Edge (Flip) as opposed to Duplex Tumble and No Tumble. I'm assuming that's where the problem lies.

camorri · 02-24-2023, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Xreader in the print dialog window the options for 2-sided are Long Edge (Standard) and Short Edge (Flip) as opposed to Duplex Tumble and No Tumble. I'm assuming that's where the problem lies.

I suspect you are correct. Try the different options and see if it will print on each side. I'm guessing long edge is the equivalent of No Tumble and short edge is the same as tumble.

kenb1000 · 02-24-2023, 01:59 PM

I tried both options in Xreader but still wouldn't print duplex. Since it did work in the past I'm wondering if there was a recent update for CUPS that changed the wording for duplex printing which Xreader isn't picking up. In any case, I can get by with using pdf Studio Viewer. Thanks again.