I’ve been meaning to get my Brother all-in-one printer and scanner up and running on Ubuntu, but I’m hitting a few bumps in the road, and I could really use some help. I know that proprietary drivers can sometimes be a hassle, especially on Linux, but I want to make this work.
So, here’s the situation: I’ve got a Brother MFC-J995DW, and while it’s usually pretty reliable on Windows, I’m not quite sure how to handle it on my Ubuntu system. I’ve been Googling around and found bits and pieces of information, but it’s all a bit overwhelming. I’d love to get a step-by-step guide from someone who’s been through this before.
Here’s what I’ve gathered so far: I think I need to visit the Brother support site to download the drivers, but then what? Do I need to worry about whether I’m downloading the right version for my Ubuntu? I’ve seen mentions of the .deb files and even some mention of CUPS, but I’m not sure how all of that fits together.
Once I download the driver, do I just kick off the installation by double-clicking? Or do I need to run some terminal commands? I know the terminal can be powerful, but it can also feel intimidating. And after installing, what are the next steps? Is there any specific configuration I need to be aware of for the scanning functionality?
If anyone’s had success installing the drivers and getting the printer and scanner to work seamlessly, I would be super grateful for a detailed walkthrough. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels a bit lost with this. Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge!
To get your Brother MFC-J995DW all-in-one printer and scanner working on Ubuntu, start by downloading the drivers from the Brother Support website. Make sure to select the correct model and choose the .deb files suitable for your version of Ubuntu. It’s important to note that there are separate drivers for printing and scanning, so download both. After downloading, you can install the drivers either via the graphical interface by double-clicking on the .deb files or by using terminal commands. To use the terminal, navigate to the directory where the downloaded files are located and run the following commands: with the actual filename of the driver.
sudo dpkg -i.deb
for each of the downloaded files, replacingAfter successfully installing the drivers, you might need to set up CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) for printer configuration. Open a web browser and go to
http://localhost:631
. Click on “Administration” and then “Add Printer.” Your Brother printer should appear in the list; select it and follow the prompts to finish the setup. For scanning functionality, ensure that the Brother scanner driver is properly installed, and you can test the scanner using tools like Simple Scan or XSane. If you encounter any issues, check the printer settings in CUPS and make sure the printer is connected and recognized by Ubuntu. Don’t hesitate to ask for further clarification if needed!Getting Your Brother MFC-J995DW Printer and Scanner Running on Ubuntu
Setting up your Brother all-in-one printer and scanner on Ubuntu can seem daunting, but don’t worry—you’re not alone! Here’s a step-by-step guide that should help you through the process.
Step 1: Download the Drivers
First things first, head over to the Brother support site. You’ll want to search for your model (MFC-J995DW) and select the Linux drivers. Make sure you download the .deb files since you’re on Ubuntu!
Step 2: Install the Drivers
After you’ve downloaded the necessary files, it’s time to install them. You can do this in a couple of ways:
Step 3: Set Up CUPS
CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) helps manage your printer. Open a web browser and go to
http://localhost:631
. Click on the “Administration” tab and select “Add Printer.” Your Brother printer should show up there. Follow the prompts to add it. You might need to log in with your username and password.Step 4: Scanning Setup
For scanning, make sure you have simple-scan installed. You can find it in the Ubuntu Software Center or install it via terminal:
Once installed, open Simple Scan, and it should detect your Brother scanner automatically. If it doesn’t, you might need to ensure the scanner is turned on and connected to your PC.
Final Thoughts
After all that, try printing and scanning something to see if it works. If you run into issues, check the CUPS page for error messages, or look for help on forums or Ubuntu documentation!
Good luck! You’ve got this!