Adding a Shared Network Printer on Linux

Owned by Cody Janak (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Feb 25, 2021 by Amy He (Unlicensed)
3 min read

Shared network printers are printers in common areas such as labs or offices suites. They are added to the print server to allow for multiple users to connect to them simultaneously. The following steps will walkthrough connecting a network printer to a device running Ubuntu or CentOS.

Devices connected via USB do not need to be added using this method.

If you have an office printer only used by one person, you will need to connect to it directly by using the IP address. If you have a shared printer that is not on the print server, please email engr-helpdesk@tamu.edu to request that your printer be added to the server.

Instructions

  1. Press the Windows key on the keyboard to open the search menu

  2. Type printer and open the Printers application

  3. On Ubuntu 18.04, click Printers next to Settings, then click the on the Additional Printer Settings… icon

  4. Click on the Add icon

    1. If you get a prompt for the root password, click Cancel to ignore it

  5. Expand the Network Printer menu then select Windows Printer via SAMBA

    1. Enter the URI of your printer found in the spreadsheet at the bottom of the Printing page

    2. Leave Prompt user if authentication is required selected, but do NOT enter your NetID or password if prompted

    3. Click Forward

  6. Select the printer make and model based on the printer’s model and then click Forward

  7. Enter the printer name, description, and location if desired

  8. Print a test page to confirm you are connected and then click Done

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