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Asked: 2024-09-27T03:34:34+05:30 In:

What are the steps to set up a Brother HL-3170CDW printer for wireless printing on an Ubuntu system?

I’ve been trying to set up my Brother HL-3170CDW printer for wireless printing on my Ubuntu system, and honestly, it’s been a bit of a hassle. I’ve read a few online guides, but some steps always seem to be missing or unclear, which just adds to my frustration. I’m sure I can’t be the only one struggling with this.

So, I’m curious if anyone out there has successfully managed to get it working. What’s the best approach you’ve found? When I first got the printer, I connected it via USB, but now that I want to go wireless, things are getting tricky. For starters, I think I need to connect the printer to my wifi network, but I’m not even sure how to go about that. Do I need to use the printer’s control panel for that?

Also, once it’s connected to the network, what are the next steps in Ubuntu? I’ve installed the necessary drivers from the Brother website, but I really could use some advice on how to add the printer to my system. I’m worried I might mess something up or miss a critical step.

And let’s not forget about troubleshooting. If it doesn’t show up after I try to add it, what should I check first? I’ve heard people mention IP addresses and CUPS (whatever that is), but it all feels a bit overwhelming at the moment.

If anyone could lay out a clearer step-by-step guide or share their experience, that’d be awesome. Maybe even share some common pitfalls to watch out for? I’d really appreciate any help because I don’t want to keep printing everything through USB when I know I can get this printer to work wirelessly.

Thanks a ton in advance! Your insights could save me a lot of time and sanity. Looking forward to hearing from you!

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    2 Answers


    1. To successfully set up your Brother HL-3170CDW printer for wireless printing on Ubuntu, the first step is to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. You can do this through the printer’s control panel. Navigate to the “Network” settings, select “Wireless,” and follow the prompts to scan for available networks. Once you find your Wi-Fi network, enter the password when prompted. After your printer is connected to the network, you will need to ensure that the printer’s IP address is noted, as this will be crucial for the next steps.

      Once the printer is connected to your Wi-Fi, open the Settings on your Ubuntu system and look for “Printers.” Click on “Add Printer,” and your system should automatically detect the Brother printer over the network. If not, you can manually add it by using the IP address you noted earlier. As for the software, since you’ve already installed the drivers from the Brother website, you’re on the right track. If the printer does not show up, check that the printer and your computer are on the same network, and ensure that the CUPS service is running. You can start or restart it via the terminal with sudo systemctl restart cups. Common pitfalls include issues with firewall settings blocking the connection, so make sure that your firewall allows communication with the printer’s IP address. With these steps, you should be able to print wirelessly without relying on the USB connection.




    2. Brother HL-3170CDW Wireless Setup Guide

      Setting Up Brother HL-3170CDW for Wireless Printing on Ubuntu

      Getting your Brother HL-3170CDW printer to work wirelessly with Ubuntu can be frustrating, but don’t worry! Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

      1. Connect the Printer to Your Wi-Fi Network

      First, you’ll need to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi:

      • Use the printer’s control panel. Navigate through the menu to find ‘Network’ settings.
      • Select ‘WLAN’ and then ‘Setup Wizard’.
      • Choose your Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the Wi-Fi password when prompted.

      Once you’ve done this, the printer should be connected to your network!

      2. Add the Printer in Ubuntu

      Now that your printer is on the network, let’s add it to your Ubuntu system:

      • Open the “Settings” application on your Ubuntu.
      • Go to “Printers”.
      • Click the ‘Add’ button. Your printer should automatically appear in the list of available printers.
      • Select it and follow the prompts to complete the installation.

      If it doesn’t show up, you’ll need to check a few things.

      3. Troubleshooting Tips

      If your printer is not showing up, check:

      • Ensure both your printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
      • Find the printer’s IP address from the control panel and make sure it’s reachable by pinging it from the terminal: ping
      • Ensure CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) is installed. You can install it using the terminal: sudo apt install cups. Once installed, access it by typing http://localhost:631 in your web browser.

      CUPS can help manage printers and troubleshoot issues.

      Common Pitfalls

      • Forgetting to connect the printer to the right Wi-Fi.
      • Not installing the correct drivers from the Brother website. Make sure you’ve got the right ones for the HL-3170CDW.
      • Leaving the printer offline in Ubuntu’s printer settings.

      With these steps, you should be able to get your Brother HL-3170CDW printer working wirelessly. If you run into any specific error messages, feel free to ask about those!


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