Arch Linux

ExoticCandy

Member

Registered: 2021-06-24

Posts: 13

CUPS printer not working as expected

Greetings.

Im trying to switch my workplace's server to Arch. (from Ubuntu 20.04 LTS) everything is working smoothly but CUPS, which is the most needed service on the server.
For reference: I had the same issue back on Zorin OS 15 and ubuntu 18.04 LTS, just upgrading to Ubuntu 20.04 fixed the problem. Any attempts toward fixing didn't work on ubuntu 18.04

The problem:
I install my CUPS and run it using systemctl. then add my LPD network printer as usual. I had some difficulties with the PPD files in the past, so i have one DIY modified PPD file which works flawlessly in ubuntu. for the driver, I used my own PPD file at first. Everything works perfect, and test print from gnome settings panel works perfectly as expected. But the problem is, when I try to print from Opera and Firefox, duplex printing doesn't work on A5. (still no problem on A4) when I set duplex printing (both from browser printer dialog and from gnome's print dialogue) it just prints one sided.

The solutions I've tried so far:
1) I tried installing the ricoh drivers presented on AUR. my printer doesn't support postscript printing, so PS drivers are not usable. PXL drivers work just like my own PPD file.
2) Tried getting a few alternate PPD files for my printer from openprinting, and non fixed the duplex issue.
3) Tried to copy my CUPS filters from ubuntu, which to my surprise, made CUPS stop detecting the drivers. (it gets stuck on "loading driver database")
4) Imagined maybe there is a kernel problem, so I tried with LTS, zen, and XanMod kernels. All the same results.

And the solutions I've found on arch forum all mentioned installing the right driver, that I've already done so. I've installed every suitable driver for my printer, and non fixed the duplex printing problem.

Since the same PPD file works with no problem on Ubuntu and ubuntu based distros (using ubuntu 20.04) , i assume this should be an arch problem i can't fix rather than a CUPS problem. any tips would be appreciated.

PS: the problem only occurs when I try to set duplex to long edge. even short edge is working fine. but i need the long edge binding

Last edited by ExoticCandy (2021-07-11 07:48:57)