brother printer driver for hl-l5100dn linux

---

brother printer driver for hl-l5100dn linux

Integrating your Brother HL-L5100DN monochrome laser printer with a Linux operating system can unlock its full potential, offering efficient and high-quality printing for your home or office. While Linux distributions often provide generic drivers, using the official Brother driver ensures access to all features, including duplex printing and precise print settings. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of finding, downloading, and installing the correct driver, along with troubleshooting common issues.

Overview of the Brother HL-L5100DN Printer

The Brother HL-L5100DN is a robust monochrome laser printer designed for reliability and high performance in professional environments. Key specifications and features include:

• Print Technology: Monochrome Laser
• Print Speed: Up to 40 pages per minute (ppm)
• Print Resolution: Up to 1200 x 1200 DPI for crisp, clear text and graphics
• Duplex Printing: Automatic two-sided printing capability to save paper
• Connectivity: Built-in Ethernet for network sharing and USB 2.0 for direct connection
• Paper Capacity: A 250-sheet capacity adjustable paper tray and a 50-sheet capacity multi-purpose tray, with expandable options
• Mobile Printing: Support for various mobile printing solutions including Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Brother iPrint&Scan
• Supported OS: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android

These features make the HL-L5100DN a versatile and efficient choice for demanding printing tasks.

Official Brother Driver for Linux

Brother provides a dedicated ‘Driver Install Tool’ for Linux, which simplifies the installation of both the LPR and CUPSwrapper drivers. This tool is highly recommended for optimal performance and compatibility with various Linux distributions.

Downloading the Driver

To obtain the latest official driver, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the official Brother support website for the HL-L5100DN: Brother HL-L5100DN Downloads.
2. Under ‘STEP 2: Select OS Version’, choose ‘Linux’ (you may need to select a specific Linux distribution like ‘Linux (deb)’ or ‘Linux (rpm)’ depending on your system, but the Driver Install Tool often works across many).
3. Locate the ‘Driver Install Tool’ (e.g., linux-brprinter-installer-2.2.6-0.gz or a later version).
4. Download the compressed file (it will typically be a .gz file). Note the location where you save it, usually your ‘Downloads’ folder.

Installation Instructions for Brother HL-L5100DN on Linux

The Brother Driver Install Tool automates much of the installation process. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open a Terminal: Access your system’s terminal application.
2. Navigate to the Download Directory: Use the cd command to go to the folder where you saved the driver file. For example:

   cd ~/Downloads

3. Extract the Driver File: Decompress the downloaded .gz file using the gunzip command. Replace <driver_filename> with the actual name of your downloaded file:

   gunzip <driver_filename>

   For example: gunzip linux-brprinter-installer-2.2.6-0.gz

4. Run the Installer Tool: Execute the installer script with superuser privileges (sudo). Again, replace <driver_filename_unzipped> with the unzipped file’s name:

   sudo bash <driver_filename_unzipped>

   For example: sudo bash linux-brprinter-installer-2.2.6-0

5. Follow On-Screen Prompts: The installer will guide you through the process. You’ll likely be asked to:
   • Confirm the printer model (e.g., HL-L5100DN).
   • Accept the End-User License Agreement (EULA).
   • Specify the Device URI. If connecting via USB, you might be asked to type ‘N’ for No when prompted to specify the DeviceURI for a network connection initially, or select the USB option. If connecting via network, the tool should detect available network printers. You might be asked to input the printer’s IP address if it’s not automatically found.
   • Confirm installation of LPR and CUPSwrapper drivers.
6. Test Print: After the installation is complete, the installer might offer a test print. It is recommended to perform a test print to verify successful installation.
7. Configure in System Settings (CUPS): Even after the tool runs, it’s a good practice to check your system’s printer settings (often found under ‘Settings’ -> ‘Printers’ or by accessing the CUPS web interface at http://localhost:631). Ensure your Brother HL-L5100DN is listed and set as the default if desired.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems after installing the driver, consider these troubleshooting steps:

• Printer Not Detected:
  Ensure the printer is powered on and correctly connected (USB cable firmly inserted or network cable connected). Rebooting your printer and computer can sometimes resolve detection issues. Verify the printer’s IP address if using a network connection.
• ‘Offline’ or ‘Paused’ Status:
  Check the printer queue in your system’s printer settings. Clear any stuck print jobs. If the printer shows offline, try right-clicking it and selecting ‘Online’ or ‘Resume’.
• Garbled or Incorrect Output:
  This often indicates a driver issue. Ensure you’ve installed the correct driver for your specific printer model. Sometimes, removing existing printer entries and reinstalling the driver can fix this.
• Unable to Print via Network:
  Confirm that your printer has a valid IP address and is on the same network as your computer. Ping the printer’s IP address from your Linux machine to check network connectivity. Firewall settings on your Linux machine might be blocking communication; temporarily disable it to test, then configure it to allow printer traffic.
• CUPS Errors:
  The Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) manages printing services on Linux. Restarting the CUPS service can resolve many issues:

  sudo systemctl restart cups

• Permissions Issues:
  Ensure your user account has the necessary permissions to access and use the printer. Adding your user to the ‘lpadmin’ group can help:

  sudo usermod -aG lpadmin <your_username>

  (replace <your_username> with your actual username).

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully install and maintain your Brother HL-L5100DN printer on your Linux system, ensuring reliable and high-quality printing.