I've noticed that when using Debian and Ubuntu, my printers connect easily over Wi-Fi. However, I've had a really tough time trying to install printers in an Arch environment. I recently installed KaOS and used CUPS to add Brother, Canon, and Epson printers. CUPS finds all three printers, but when I try to install the drivers, it fails every time. I tested another distro, MXLinux, and had no issues at all with the printers there. So, I'm curious—what's going on with CUPS and printer support in Arch?
3 Answers
I think a lot of Arch users feel your pain! It often requires a bit more troubleshooting to get things working smoothly. Maybe check out some community resources for tips and tricks on CUPS with Arch. It could help you find the right drivers or methods to get those printers installed!
And don't forget to look at AUR packages for any specific drivers you might need!
It really comes down to software: Arch is more hands-on and expects you to set things up manually, while Debian and Ubuntu come with a lot of drivers and libraries pre-installed. That's why you see easier printer setup on those distros.
Debian is well-known for its excellent printer support, and since Ubuntu is derived from it, it retains much of that functionality. I’ve plugged in various printers since the late 90s, and they've always just worked without much hassle.
Yeah, definitely check the Arch Wiki. It has a ton of information on printer setup!