In this article, we will guide you through the process of clearing the print queue in Ubuntu, a common task that can help resolve issues with stuck print jobs. We will explore three different methods: using the command line, the printer dialog, and the CUPS web interface.
To clear the print queue in Ubuntu, you can use the command line, the printer dialog, or the CUPS web interface. Using the command line, you can view the list of print jobs, identify the job number, and remove specific jobs or all jobs. In the printer dialog, you can open the printer settings, navigate to your printer, and delete print jobs. The CUPS web interface allows you to access the web interface, locate the print jobs, and cancel them.
Clearing Print Queue Using the Command Line
The command line is a powerful tool that can help you manage your print queue efficiently. Here’s how to do it:
- Open a Terminal
You can do this by pressing
Ctrl+Alt+Tor by searching for ‘Terminal’ in your system’s application launcher. - View the list of print jobs
Type the command
lpq -aand pressEnter. This command will display a list of all the current print jobs. - Identify the job number Each job in the print queue is assigned a unique job number. Identify the number of the job you wish to remove.
- Remove a specific job
To remove a specific job, type
lprm <job number>and pressEnter. Replace<job number>with the actual number of the job you want to remove. For example, if the job number is 5, you would typelprm 5. - Remove all jobs
If you want to remove all jobs from the print queue, type
lprm -orcancel -a -xand pressEnter.
Clearing Print Queue Using the Printer Dialog
If you prefer a graphical interface, you can use the printer dialog to clear the print queue:
- Open the Printer Settings Type “Printers” in the dash or your system’s application launcher to open the printer settings.
- Navigate to Your Printer Find and select your printer from the list.
- Delete Print Jobs Locate the print job(s) you want to remove in the list and click on the ‘Delete’ or ‘Remove’ button.
Clearing Print Queue Using the CUPS Web Interface
CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) also provides a web interface that can be used to manage print jobs:
- Access the CUPS Web Interface
Open your web browser and navigate to
http://localhost:631/jobs/. - Delete Print Jobs Locate the print job(s) you want to remove and click on the ‘Cancel Job’ button.
Conclusion
Clearing the print queue in Ubuntu can be done in several ways, each with its own advantages. Whether you prefer using the command line, the printer dialog, or the CUPS web interface, this guide has you covered. Remember to replace <job number> with the actual job number when using the lprm command. Happy printing!
To open a Terminal in Ubuntu, you can press Ctrl+Alt+T or search for ‘Terminal’ in your system’s application launcher.
To view the list of print jobs in the print queue, you can use the command lpq -a in the Terminal or navigate to the printer settings and locate the print job list.
To remove a specific print job from the queue using the command line, you can use the command lprm <job number>. Replace <job number> with the actual number of the job you want to remove.
To remove all print jobs from the queue using the command line, you can use the command lprm - or cancel -a -x.
To delete print jobs using the printer dialog, open the printer settings, select your printer, and locate the print job(s) you want to remove in the list. Then, click on the ‘Delete’ or ‘Remove’ button.
You can access the CUPS web interface by opening your web browser and navigating to http://localhost:631/jobs/. From there, you can locate the print job(s) you want to remove and click on the ‘Cancel Job’ button.
