The Number Zero: How to... Fix HP printer “filter failed” error in (Ubuntu) Linux

How to... Fix HP printer “filter failed” error in (Ubuntu) Linux

Printer: HP LaserJet M1132 MFP; operating systems tested: Xubuntu 13.10, 14.04, 14.10; theme: Numix. Download as pdf here or here.

Update, 2015-02-06: As of a recent upgrade to Xubuntu 14.10, jumping straight to the third solution still fixes the issue.

My printer suffered a paper jam. After releasing the paper, I found that the printer was unwilling to print anything. The specific error was “filter failed”.

Diagnosing

The first step is to open CUPS. In your browser's urlbar, type “localhost:631”. If at any point, CUPS asks for your password, enter it as you would in the terminal. To confirm this error, click on the Jobs tab.

As you can see under State, I'm getting the “filter failed” error.

Solution 1: re-install printer

Now click on the Printers tab, and then click on your printer.

Under the Administration menu, you will see an option to delete the printer:

When asked to confirm, click Delete Printer. In the Administration tab, add the printer.

Once that is complete, try printing your document. (You can also print a test page in the Maintenance menu of your printer's page.)

Alternate solution if this fails: rename your printer with a slightly different name.

Solution 2: re-install CUPS

Some found that this error was caused by a problem with CUPS, either after an update or failed installation.

Although you can do this in the terminal, we're going to use a GUI method. Open Synaptic, and in the Quick filter text field, type “cups”.

Click on the Installed tab, so it will be easier to select all. Although you don't have to re-install everything, this is what I (or we) will be doing.

Select all the packages (CTRL + A). Now mark the packages for re-installation. You can do this either by right-clicking and clicking Mark for Reinstallation or opening the Package menu and clicking Mark for Reinstallation there.

Now click Apply and let Synaptic re-install CUPS. After re-installation, print your document.

Solution 3: Fix HPLIP

Update, 2015-03-02: According to an anonymous commenter, this solution can also fix "cups filter failed", "print service unavailable", and "bad file descriptor" errors.

If you perused the list of packages you marked for re-installation, you may have noticed one called hplip. Formally known as HP Linux Imaging and Printing, HPLIP integrates HP printers with Linux. It is provided by HP; you can learn more here.

Generally, HPLIP will come pre-installed with your distribution; you can confirm that by typing “hplip” in Quick filter again. If it's installed, Synaptic will show it as such.

Let's close Synaptic now and open the terminal. In the terminal, type “hp-check -t”. This will check whether HPLIP is working correctly. In my case, this is what I found:

I was missing two required packages. If you have the same problem, type “hp-doctor” as suggested. You will get a number of prompts throughout, the first of which may be a distribution error:

error: This distro (i.e ubuntu 13.10) is either deprecated or not yet supported.
The diagnosis is limited on unsupported platforms. Do you want to continue?(y=yes, n=no*):

Type “y” and continue.

If you get after it checks for updates:

Newer version of HPLIP-3.13.11 is available.
Press 'y' to continue to upgrade HPLIP-3.13.11 (y=yes*, n=no):

Type “y” and continue. You may be told to install HPLIP manually, but it will continue anyway, and check for dependencies.

Under General Dependencies, hp-doctor found this:

The next prompt will be:

Do you want to update repository and Install missing/incompatible packages. (a=install all*, c=custom_install, s=skip):

Type “a” and continue.

Because my problem was a plug-in version mismatch, I next got this:

Found Plugin version mismatch. Press 'y' to re-install the plugin(y=yes*, n=no):

Type “y” and continue.

When you're asked whether to download, specify a path, or quit, choose the download option by typing “d”.

HP will then ask you to accept the license terms:

Do you accept the license terms for the plug-in (y=yes*, n=no, q=quit) ?

Type "y" if you accept.

hp-doctor will then complete without further prompts. Now try to print your document.

Other solutions

In my case, running hp-check -t was the solution to fix the "filter failed" error. However, that may not be the case with you.

One solution that was a temporary fix was to change my PDF viewer. So, switching from the default Evince to KDE's Okular appeared to solve the problem. (By my own admission, I'm no Linux expert, so don't ask me how.)

There are some useful resources that may help:

(Arch Linux) Solution is to clean the pacman cache; or install foo2zjs from the AUR while making sure not to have HPLIP installed: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=148850
Further advice on using hp-check, et al.: http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/77139/filter-failed-from-hplip
If you aren't a member of the lpadmin group, add yourself manually: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2145030
Simply try switching off the printer and trying again later (I admit I failed to type that out without laughing, but it's often an adequate solution): http://askubuntu.com/questions/304152/after-update-my-printer-will-not-work

End.