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On Ubuntu 26.04, try adding your printer from Settings > Printers before downloading a driver. Ubuntu recognizes many printers automatically; if yours is not listed, the right next step depends on its connection, exact model and required functions—not just its brand.
Before you install a driver
Check the printer’s label or built-in settings for its full manufacturer and model number. Also note how it connects and what you need it to do:
- Connection: USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
- Functions: printing only, or printing and scanning (and, where relevant, faxing).
- Computer architecture: confirm whether your Ubuntu installation is amd64 or arm64 before choosing a package.
These details help you distinguish automatic setup or driverless printing from a model-specific vendor driver.
Add the printer in Ubuntu first
- Connect a USB printer, or connect the network printer and Ubuntu computer to the same network.
- Open Activities, search for Printers, and select it.
- Choose Add Printer. If Ubuntu prompts you to authenticate, follow the prompt.
- Select the printer if it appears. For a network printer that is not discovered, enter its network address in the add-printer dialog if you know it.
- After setup, print a test page and check the available printer options.
Ubuntu’s guide explains that a printer missing from the Add Printer window may need a print driver: Ubuntu: Set up a local printer.
#1 Best Overall
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
If Ubuntu does not find the printer
Check for driverless USB printing
Some USB printers and multifunction devices can print and scan without a vendor driver. Ubuntu 26.04’s ipp-usb documentation describes this support for USB-only AirPrint-compatible devices; it does not apply to every USB printer. The documented support covers IPP printing and eSCL scanning. See the Ubuntu 26.04 ipp-usb manual.
HP printers: check the exact model against HPLIP
HP directs Linux users to HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP), and notes that HPLIP is not hosted by HP Customer Support. Check support for your specific model using HP’s HPLIP page.
Rank #2
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The Envy 6155 is perfect for homes printing everyday high-quality color documents like homework and borderless photos. Print speeds up to 10 ppm black, 7 ppm color.
- 3 MONTH TRIAL OF INSTANT INK – Subscribe to the Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out, and you save up to 50% on ink. After 3 months, a monthly fee applies unless cancelled.
- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy and scan, plus auto 2-sided printing and a 100-sheet input tray
- HP'S MOST INTUITIVE COLOR TOUCHSCREEN – Smoothly navigate your printer with the easy-to-use 2.4" touchscreen
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
Ubuntu 26.04’s archive lists the hplip package and, for some architectures, the printer-driver-hpcups dependency. The archive listing establishes package availability, not compatibility with every HP printer. Its listed HPLIP version is 3.24.4+dfsg0-0ubuntu8.1 for amd64 and arm64; check the current archive entry for architecture-specific details at Ubuntu’s Resolute HPLIP package listing.
Brother, Canon and Epson: use model-specific support
For these brands, find the Linux driver or support page for your exact printer model and country. Before installing a download, confirm that its instructions explicitly cover Ubuntu 26.04 and your system architecture. The available information does not establish current 26.04 package instructions for particular Brother, Canon or Epson models, so do not assume an older Ubuntu guide or another model’s package applies.
Rank #3
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Seamless Multi-Page Handling - Tackle multi-page documents with ease using the Auto Document Feeder (ADF) for quick scanning and copying
Check printing and scanning separately
A working print queue does not prove that a multifunction printer’s scanner is configured. After adding the device, test each function you need. If printing works but scanning does not, consult the model-specific Linux support instructions for the scanner component rather than replacing a working print setup without checking.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose the route that matches your printer
| Situation | First route to try | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Printer appears in Ubuntu’s add-printer window | Add it in Settings > Printers and print a test page. | Confirm the queue and required printer options work. |
| USB-only AirPrint-compatible printer or MFP | Try Ubuntu’s driverless setup. | The documented ipp-usb support is limited to compatible devices; test scanning separately if needed. |
| HP printer not detected or not working correctly | Check the exact model’s HPLIP support and Ubuntu’s available packages. | Model support, Ubuntu version and package architecture. |
| Brother, Canon or Epson printer not detected or not working correctly | Use the manufacturer’s support page for the exact model. | Ubuntu 26.04 compatibility, system architecture and whether the package supports all needed functions. |
For any vendor package, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact model and check that they apply to Ubuntu 26.04. Avoid treating a brand-wide package or an older release’s hp-setup instructions as verified guidance for every printer on this Ubuntu release.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE - Connect and print on the go with the PIXMA TR160. This lightweight portable printer can fit into a bag or backpack with room to spare.
- HIGH-QUALITY PRINTING ON THE GO - Print documents and photos up to 8.5” x 11” that showcase sharp black text and vibrant details with rich color thanks to a 5-Color Hybrid Ink System, including square and borderless prints.
- SIMPLE & EASY CONNECTIVITY - Printing is only an app away when using the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint4, or Mopria Print Service5 with your compatible device(s) or the cloud.
- WIRELESS DIRECT MODE - Connect your compatible device to the printer even without a wireless router.
- 1.44” OLED DISPLAY - Easily check ink levels, printer status, and other settings with the 1.44” Monochrome OLED.
Rank #4
- AFFORDABLE COLOR PRINTING – Print everyday color documents like to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes
- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy, scan, a 35-sheet auto document feeder and a 60-sheet input tray, plus mobile and wireless printing
- OPTIMIZE PRINT FORMATTING WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- ICON LCD – Print your basic documents with ease from the intuitive control panel
- PRINT SPEED – Up to 8.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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