Mac OSX 10.15 printing to Windows USB Shared Printer

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Level 1

7 points

Mac OSX 10.15 printing to Windows USB Shared Printer

I've been printing from my Mac OSX 10.15 (and all earlier versions) to a Brother HL-2030 connected to a networked home PC and shared as a windows printer. Worked fine for years.

Now its stopped working. I've reset the Mac printing system and added again as a Windows printer via the Mac printer setup and using the Mac provided CUPS drivers. I’ve also tried the Generic drivers, but get the same error.

On first printing I've provided authentication using a windows user and password (and deleted old keychain entries). This authentication works, as when I delete the keychain entry and enter an incorrect windows user or password, the job is held 'Authentication required'.

However when the correct user/ password is used the job gets flagged as 'Unable to start job'. (The print screen shows the printer message 'Connecting to printer', then 'Connected to Printer' but then back to ‘Ready to Print’ with the document still in the queue. The error in the log file is 'Unable to start job', not 'Authentication Required').

E [25/Sep/2021:15:56:32 +0100] [Job 22] Unable to start job

I've tried different valid Windows users to authenticate, and each one still gives the 'Unable to Start job' error. I've also been able to connect to the PC from the Mac using the smb network command to see files on the PC without a problem, so I know the credentials are OK.

I also use Parallels on my Mac and have added this printer as a Windows 10 printer (it can be seen on the home network as a shared printer) and it works fine, so I know printer and firewalls are not causing the problem.

Its just from the Mac it wont print anymore.

This is driving me crazy after years of working without a problem across multiple mac and windows and router upgrades/ replacements.

Any ideas gratefully received.

Thanks.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 25, 2021 8:12 AM

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Answer 1

Tosh.SE1 Author

Level 1

7 points

Oct 3, 2021 6:40 AM in response to Tosh.SE1

I think this is related to security update 2021-006 and impacting CUPS printing, as my printing to the networked windows printer (connected to a Windows PC by USB) stopped after the update.

Have found files in /private/etc/cups/ suggesting changes were made.

printers.conf.pre-update 25 Sep

cupsd.conf.pre-update 24 Sep

Printer error is:

E [25/Sep/2021:15:56:32 +0100] [Job 22] Unable to start job

Error in the system log when print job submitted shows an smb request is being denied, which I assume is needed for starting the print job.

kernel Sandbox: smb(nnnnn) deny(1) file-read-metadata /usr/libexec

kernel Sandbox: smb(nnnnn) deny(1) file-read-metadata /private/var/root

Anyone else having a similar problem or ideas how to fix?

Have done all the usual things, and as said above can print from a VM on my iMac to the printer.

Thanks.

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Answer 2

PF50

Level 1

8 points

Oct 3, 2021 9:11 AM in response to Tosh.SE1

Just wondering if you ever found a fix to this problem? I started having this problem around Oct. 1st 2021. Print jobs try to print but within a few seconds go into Pause mode....error "Unable to start job"

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Answer 3

Tosh.SE1 Author

Level 1

7 points

Oct 3, 2021 9:17 AM in response to PF50

Sadly not found a fix.

It only broke after 24 or 24 Sept following the Catalina security update, so assume its related to that.

I recall Catalina had some smb issues when first rolled out, but they got fixed. I did find I needed to delete old keychain passwords that I had used to connect to smb attached folders/files on my Windows PC, and the printer and re-authenticate to get it working.

But this time nothing I do fixes the problem. The hours I have wasted on something that just worked fine for years ...:(

Do you have any ideas?? :)

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Answer 4

PF50

Level 1

8 points

Oct 3, 2021 10:10 AM in response to Tosh.SE1

My (old) HP Laser printer is connected by USB to my windows 10 PC. My wife's Mid 2010 Mac is the one with the problem. She doesn't print every day but it all started on Oct 1st. I just spent about 45 minutes on the phone with Apple support with no fix. They finally deferred me to level 2 support and told me to check with the printer company (HP) and upgrade the driver. Needless to say, HP is not upgrading any software in a 15+ year old printer. Everything was just working fine and I suspect some security issue in the background is causing the issue. And yes, I have spent a couple of days on this as well. I am on OS 10.13.6 High Sierra which is the latest OS that will load on this Mac.

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Answer 5

Oct 10, 2021 12:35 PM in response to Tosh.SE1

Having the same problem, same error message. Recent change for me but it has been a while since I've tried to print.

Removed keychain entry and that cleared some authorization issues I was having.

Changed the Workgroup under WINS in Network settings so that I could at least re-add my printer after deleting it.

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/printnightmare-fix-breaks-network-printing

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Answer 6

Tosh.SE1 Author

Level 1

7 points

Nov 17, 2021 1:35 PM in response to r0bert0clayt0n

An update... from what I have read people with windows print servers had problems after a Microsoft Security Update around mid September, and Mac users could not print to their shared Windows printers. (Some more background here https://community.jamf.com/t5/jamf-pro/mac-printing-issue-after-microsoft-windows-print-server-update/m-p/246900. ) Assume there is a similar issue for home users, but couldn't find the Windows PC Update that might have had this affect.

So I followed the recommended workaround. I enabled the LPD printer service on my windows PC, and then setup a printer Type 'LPD/LPR Host or Printer' on the Mac.

Worked first time!

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-print-to-a-windows-printer-from-a-mac-12e43e7e-0433...

Might work for you?

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Answer 7

PF50

Level 1

8 points

Nov 21, 2021 6:46 AM in response to Tosh.SE1

Thank You, Thank You Tosh,SE1, your suggestion above seemed to do the trick. I did run into an issue with my anti-virus firewall trying to block the connection but once I authorized the connection, it is printing fine now. (As a FYI, I looked to see if the firewall was blocking it in earlier attempts and that did not solve it). I tried the Gutenprint driver before I tried your suggestion above but that did not seem to fix it........I am using the Gutenprint driver now. I worked on this for two months, thanks for everyone's input and help!!

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Answer 8

Old Toad

Level 10

210,213 points

Oct 10, 2021 1:43 PM in response to PF50

It may be a long shot but you might try the open-source Gutenprint print driver. Check this page to see if your printer is supported: Gutenprint Supported Printers.

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Mac OSX 10.15 printing to Windows USB Shared Printer

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