I get a CUPS Server error: 'server-error-internal-error' when I try to connect a network printer

16.04 printing

25,287

I was able to work around the problem by setting up the printer using the CUPS web interface. I pointed my browser at localhost:631, which gave me the web interface. Then selected "Adding Printers and Classes", then "Add Printer".

It had already detected my network attached printer so it was just a matter of installing the correct PPD file from the selection.

I don't know why attempting to install the printer through the ubuntu Printers settings resulted in the 'server-error-internal-error', but this method seems to have worked fine. If anyone knows what the root cause of the error is I'd still love to know...

25,287

M. Webb

Professional coder that's been out of the game for some time and trying to get my mojo back. Diving into the world of programming under Linux.

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

M. Webb almost 2 years

I'm trying to add a new network printer on ubuntu 16.04 LTS. After setting it's IP address it recognises that a printer is available (192.168.1.100/9100), but when I click Forward I get a CUPS server error: 'server-error-internal-error'. Can anyone help?

The printer is connected to the router and is accessible from another Windows machine.
- Jayaprakash over 5 years
  
  This isn't an answer but, when you run into this, look at /var/log/cups/error_log for a real error message.
- NoBugs almost 4 years
  
  @LarrikJ I did not find a useful error there unfortunately.
silwar over 5 years

I click on Adding Printers and Classes in localhost:631 but I get Not Found error
newandlost over 5 years

Exactly same issue for me under Fedora 28.
Max about 5 years

I had the same issue with my Xubuntu 18.04 and this workaround helped
NoBugs almost 4 years

Yes but why must you use this instead of the normal printer interface? Is this only for old printers?
Stephen G over 3 years

This workaround worked for me with a Canon Pixma MX455 and an Ubuntu 18.04 based distribution (although I had to use Firefox instead of Chrome to avoid an "Unauthorized" error when trying to add the printer through the CUPS web interface), after having installed the Linux drivers from the Canon site. The original issue seems to be related to a problem in CUPS, possibly with version 2.2.7, it seems like newer versions should work correctly.
Frank Nocke over 2 years

Worked for me, under Ubuntu-MATE 21.04. Web Interface was accessible (admin-tab to get to add-printer... (the 'add printer' on '/' contains just the help), adding the printer and driver (w/o cups)... disabled cups, still works...
Gejun over 2 years

Thanks for the workaround. For Ubuntu 20.04, go to localhost:631/admin and click 'Add Printer'.