I'm pretty new to Linux in general and need some help setting up my MFC-J1010DW. It works fine with a couple of other distros, but I like the speed of CachyOS, and from what I hear Arch based is the way to go.
It's on my wireless network and I can use the browser to see the status page of the printer. So I have access, just doesn't know how the set up the printer.
The web site only offers rpm and deb files and there is something in the arch repository for my printer, but I’m too new to understand how to set it up. Do I even need a driver?
Can someone help me become a Linux user?
Hi, welcome to Linux and CachyOS! It’s great to see you’re exploring the Arch-based ecosystem.
To set up your Brother MFC-J1010DW printer, follow these steps:
What is AUR?
The AUR (Arch User Repository) is a community-driven repository for Arch-based distributions, like CachyOS. It contains thousands of packages contributed by users that are not included in the official repositories. These packages are often specific drivers, tools, or software not widely available elsewhere.
AUR packages are built from source using scripts called PKGBUILD. In CachyOS, managing AUR is easy because the system comes preinstalled with the paru tool, which simplifies finding, downloading, and installing these packages.
1. Install the Required Driver
Open your terminal and update your system to ensure all repositories are up-to-date:
sudo pacman -Syu
The driver for your printer is available in the AUR under the package name brother-mfc-j1010dw. You can install it with the following command:
paru -S brother-mfc-j1010dw
During installation:
paru will display the build process and may show you the PKGBUILD file for review. Simply press q to quit the view and continue.
You will also be prompted to confirm actions; press Enter to proceed.
2. Enable and Configure the Printer
Make sure cups (Common UNIX Printing System) is installed and running. It handles printing tasks in Linux:
Open your web browser and go to the CUPS web interface:
http://localhost:631
Log in using your system username and password. (If your user is not in the lp group, add it with: sudo usermod -aG lp yourusername and log out/in for changes to apply.)
Click “Add Printer”. If your printer is on the same network, it should appear in the list.
Select your printer and complete the configuration. If prompted for a driver, choose the one installed in the previous step.
This guide should get your Brother MFC-J1010DW printer up and running on CachyOS. If you encounter any issues during the AUR package build process, just remember to press q to exit file previews and confirm prompts with Enter. Feel free to ask here or consult the CachyOS wiki if you have further questions. You’re doing great, and learning Linux step by step will be very rewarding!
Created symlink '/etc/systemd/system/printer.target.wants/cups.service' → '/usr/lib/systemd/system/cups.service'.
Created symlink '/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/cups.service' → '/usr/lib/systemd/system/cups.service'.
Created symlink '/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/cups.path' → '/usr/lib/systemd/system/cups.path'.
it enables cups.service and cups.path, but cups.path is enough because it will trigger cups.service when needed, with your command cups run all the time
edit. cups.path triggers always cups.service and its running all the time.
it is better to trigger cups.servicewithcups.socket` then the service will start when you want to print something
Everything worked great, I think until I “Add Printer”. I’m giving a number of choices. I choose network ipp:
Add Printer
Add Printer
Local Printers: CUPS-PDF (Virtual PDF Printer)
Discovered Network Printers:
Other Network Printers: Backend Error Handler
Internet Printing Protocol (http)
Internet Printing Protocol (ipps)
LPD/LPR Host or Printer
Internet Printing Protocol (ipp)
Internet Printing Protocol (https)
AppSocket/HP JetDirect
Windows Printer via SAMBA
No discovered printers.
I used ipp://hostname/ipp/ as the address otherwise I have no clue. It is on my wireless network and I can access the status page of the printer from the web browser. So I’m pretty sure I have connectivity.
It asks me to fill in some name/location/etc.
then it asks for the driver and mine is not listed in the Brother list.
btw: why doesn’t fish scroll while running a script. I had to use page up and page down to move the text. Is that normal or a bug? So I can’t tell if the driver “paru -S brother-mfc-j1010dw” finished or not. I waited 10 mins and there was an [end] on the last line I could see.
Opps, update.
The printer driver did not install. fixed that and now I can see the driver, but don’t know what to use in place of the host name? It can’t locate printer “host name”.
Created a print que (I assume), but error message "Processing - "Unable to locate printer “hostname”.
Thanks for the links. I understand windows short cuts, but the rest is greek.
I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.
The command line has destroyed at least three distros and not worked on several others. It’s too alien for me. I’m just not comfortable with typing or copy pasting commands in.
I don’t understand. I know what XFCE is, but I’m not familiar with the Cachy’s Print setting app. I’m using KDE @ the moment and was going to try Cinnamon later. XFCE doesn’t appeal to me, unless it is easier to set things up. I’d consider giving it a try.
I tried the KDE print setting app, but it won’t locate the printer. If I could only know what “hostname” means.
Just consider, I come from a point and click world.
