Steps to Download Drivers:
Identify Your Model: Locate your specific Brother machine's model name (e.g., HL-L2320D, MFC-J880DW).
Visit the Support Site: Go to the (https://support.brother.com/)
Select Your Product: Choose your product category and then enter your specific model name.
Select Operating System: On the downloads page for your model, select Linux under the "OS Family" options. You will then be prompted to select your Linux distribution type (e.g., deb for Ubuntu/Debian, or rpm for Fedora/CentOS).
Download the Driver Install Tool: It is recommended to use the "Driver Install Tool" provided on the downloads page, as it simplifies the installation process for both printer and scanner drivers.
1. Visit the Brother Support Website:
Go to the Brother website to download the correct driver for your printer model.
Search for your specific printer model (e.g., HL-L2360DW, DCP-L2550DW, etc.).
Make sure to select the correct Linux version (e.g., x64, x32) depending on your system architecture.
2. Download the Printer Driver:
For most Brother printers, you'll need to download both CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) drivers and LPR (Line Printer Daemon) drivers.
After finding your model, download the .deb (for Debian/Ubuntu-based systems) or .rpm (for Fedora/RHEL-based systems) packages.
3. Install the Driver on Ubuntu/Debian:
If you're using Ubuntu or a Debian-based distro, you'll likely want the .deb file.
Open a terminal and navigate to the folder where the .deb package was downloaded.
Install the driver package using the following command:
sudo dpkg -i [driver_package_name].deb
If any dependencies are missing, run this command to resolve them:
sudo apt-get install -f
4. Install the Driver on Fedora/RHEL/CentOS:
For Fedora or other Red Hat-based systems, you'll download the .rpm package.
Open a terminal and navigate to the folder where the .rpm package was downloaded.
Install the driver using the following command:
sudo rpm -ivh [driver_package_name].rpm
5. Configure the Printer:
Once the driver is installed, you can configure your printer:
Go to System Settings > Printers (or Printer Settings depending on your distro).
Click Add Printer and follow the instructions to add your Brother printer.
It should automatically detect the printer if everything is set up correctly.
6. Test the Printer:
After installation and configuration, print a test page to verify everything is working.
Which driver should I download?
Visit Brother's support page for your model. Download the .deb for Ubuntu/Debian or .rpm for Fedora/RHEL.
Printer not showing up?
Check connections, restart the printer/computer, and ensure it's added in Printer Settings or via CUPS.
Do I need CUPS?
Yes, most Brother printers require CUPS for proper functionality.
How to install CUPS?
Install with:
Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install cups
Fedora: sudo dnf install cups
Access via http://localhost:631.
Can I use wireless?
Yes, for network printers, just ensure both printer and computer are on the same network.
"Driver not found" error?
Reinstall the correct driver and check dependencies:
Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt-get install -f
Fedora: sudo dnf install -y cups-libs.
Using a 64-bit system?
Download the x86_64 (64-bit) version of the driver.
Can I use drivers on Arch Linux?
Yes, but you may need to manually install dependencies. Check the Arch Wiki.
Auto driver updates?
Linux doesn't auto-update printer drivers, but you can update using your package manager:
Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt-get update
Fedora: sudo dnf update.
Uninstall drivers?
Use:
Ubuntu/Debian: sudo dpkg -r [driver_name]
Fedora: sudo rpm -e [driver_name].
Can I use a Brother scanner?
Yes, download brscan driver from Brother’s site and use Simple Scan or XSane.
Printer issues (not printing/slow)?
Check the print queue, correct settings, and update printer firmware.