Can't install printer, cups problem?

Question

I'm new to Ubuntu, using Ubuntu 16.04.

In System Settings > Hardware > Printers it says

Printing service not available. Start the service on this computer or connect to another server.

The start service button is locked. When I press connect it opens a window where I only have one option: CUPS server: localhost

When I try to connect I get a dialog:

CUPS server error
there was an error during the CUPS operation:'failed to connect to server'.

Edit1:

the printer is samsung scx ,via network. the printer is working, i can even print from the windows dualboot in the same laptop.

Edit 2:

sudo service cups restart- no output. localhost:631- not working

Edit 3:

dpkg -l cups

output

ohad@ohad-X556UAK:~$ dpkg -l cups
Desired=Unknown/Install/Remove/Purge/Hold
| Status=Not/Inst/Conf-files/Unpacked/halF-conf/Half-inst/trig-
aWait/Trig-pend
|/ Err?=(none)/Reinst-required (Status,Err: uppercase=bad)
||/ Name           Version      Architecture Description
+++-==============-============-============-
=================================
un  cups           <none>       <none>       (no description available)

Solution 1

I had exactly the same problem and this worked for me:

sudo apt-get install cups --reinstall
sudo service cups restart

Solution 2

I met similar situation today and found this solution to be useful:

sudo apt-get install smbclient

refer_link

Solution 3

I had the same issue with my Canon MG8250 on a fresh Ubuntu 18.04

Using the cups web-interface enabled me to add the printer.

1. open a browser and got to http://localhost:631/ . You will get a website Home - CUPS x.x.x
2. Select "Adding Printers and Classes"
3. Button "Add Printer"

At one point you will be asked for your user and password.

Comments

[Elder Geek]

Welcome to AskUbuntu! Please help us help you by editing your post to provide further detail. What printer are you trying to connect to? How is it connected? Networked? USB? LPT? For further tips on how to get the best results, please review askubuntu.com/help/how-to-ask

[Ohad Habusha]

the printer is samsung scx ,via network. the printer is working, i can even print from the windows dualboot in the same laptop

[Sahil Arora]

In your browser go to localhost:631. What do you see? If you do not see the cups page, try restarting cups using sudo service cups restart.

[Ohad Habusha]

sudo service cups restart- no output. localhost:631- not working

[Elder Geek]

Please edit in the output of dpkg -l cups

[Hank]

I went here and installed a new CUPS ... worked like a charm linuxhint.com/cups_print_server_ubuntu

[Ohad Habusha]

was loking for "CUPS" and it find "printers". I removed it and reinstall. but the problem remaining...

[masterleo]

worked for me on 19.10