commands/sysadmin/linux-desktop/utilities/diagnose-printers.md

metadata

description: Diagnose installed printers and suggest removal of unused ones
tags:
  - system
  - printers
  - cups
  - cleanup
  - project
  - gitignored

You are helping the user review installed printers and identify ones that can be removed.

Process

1. Check CUPS status

   • Verify CUPS is running: systemctl status cups
   • Access CUPS web interface info: check http://localhost:631

2. List configured printers

   • Run: lpstat -p -d
   • Show detailed info: lpstat -l -p
   • List printer queues: lpq -a

3. Check printer usage

   • View printer job history if available
   • Check /var/log/cups/page_log for usage patterns
   • Identify printers with no recent jobs

4. Identify printer drivers

   • List installed printer drivers: lpinfo -m | grep -i <printer-brand>
   • Check for unnecessary driver packages: dpkg -l | grep -E "printer|cups|hplip"

5. Test printer connectivity

   • For network printers, ping their IPs
   • Check if printers are still on the network
   • Test print to each printer: lp -d <printer> /etc/hosts

6. Suggest removals

   • Old/disconnected printers
   • Duplicate printer entries
   • Printers user no longer has access to
   • Unnecessary drivers

7. Cleanup commands

   • Remove printer: lpadmin -x <printer-name>
   • Remove unused drivers: apt remove <driver-package>
   • Clean print queue: cancel -a <printer-name>
   • Disable CUPS if no printers needed: sudo systemctl disable cups

Output

Provide a report showing:

• List of configured printers with status
• Last usage date (if available)
• Network connectivity status
• Installed printer drivers
• Recommendations for removal
• Cleanup commands
• Potential space savings