fedora 38: grainy printing with hp lj pro mfp m130fw

[Gianluca Cecchi]

Hello,
after upgrading from fedora 37 to 38 the scanner still works quite well,
but it seems that my printing is somehow grainy, even for well defined
documents.
Initially I thought of a possible reason with the just replaced toner but
then trying to print the same pdf file from my Samsung S22 phone it prints
perfectly.
Both the printer and the phone use wifi connection.
After upgrading I got the usual message that the driver needed to be
reinstalled but I continually got checksum error and it didn't complete.
I then manually downloaded from here:
https://www.openprinting.org/download/printdriver/auxfiles/HP/plugins/
and gave the .run file to the wizard as input and the printer worked again,
but output is grainy.
On my fedora 38 I have hplip-3.23.5-8.fc38.x86_64 so I downloaded the
hplip-3.23.5-plugin.run file from the web site above.
Could that be the reason?

Running hp-check I see

HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134
-------------------------
Type: Printer
Device URI: hp:/net/HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134?ip=192.168.1.223
PPD: /etc/cups/ppd/HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134.ppd
PPD Description: HP LaserJet MFP m129-m134, hpcups 3.23.5
Printer status: printer HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134 is idle.  enabled since
Thu 28 Sep 2023 03:18:44 PM CEST
Communication status: Good

Any other better optimized ppd to use? Or anything else to check/debug?

Thanks,

Gianluca

[Patrick O'Callaghan]

On Thu, 2023-09-28 at 15:57 +0200, Gianluca Cecchi wrote:
>  Hello,
>  after upgrading from fedora 37 to 38 the scanner still works quite
>  well,
>  but it seems that my printing is somehow grainy, even for well
>  defined
>  documents.
>  Initially I thought of a possible reason with the just replaced toner
>  but
>  then trying to print the same pdf file from my Samsung S22 phone it
>  prints
>  perfectly.
>  Both the printer and the phone use wifi connection.
>  After upgrading I got the usual message that the driver needed to be
>  reinstalled but I continually got checksum error and it didn't
>  complete.
>  I then manually downloaded from here:
>  https://www.openprinting.org/download/printdriver/auxfiles/HP/plugins/
>  and gave the .run file to the wizard as input and the printer worked
>  again,
>  but output is grainy.
>  On my fedora 38 I have hplip-3.23.5-8.fc38.x86_64 so I downloaded the
>  hplip-3.23.5-plugin.run file from the web site above.
>  Could that be the reason?
>  
>  Running hp-check I see
>  
>  HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134
>  -------------------------
>  Type: Printer
>  Device URI: hp:/net/HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134?ip=192.168.1.223
>  PPD: /etc/cups/ppd/HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134.ppd
>  PPD Description: HP LaserJet MFP m129-m134, hpcups 3.23.5
>  Printer status: printer HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134 is idle.  enabled
>  since
>  Thu 28 Sep 2023 03:18:44 PM CEST
>  Communication status: Good
>  
>  Any other better optimized ppd to use? Or anything else to
>  check/debug? 
I've had good results just by uninstalling the manufacturer's driver
(Brother in my case) and configuring the printer/scanner to use IPP.

I recently saw a news item saying (IIRC) that MS intend to remove 
proprietary drivers from future Windows versions and "encouraging"
manufacturers to use standard protocols, so at some future time expect
them to stop supporting specific drivers for Linux.

poc

[George N. White III]

On Thu, Sep 28, 2023 at 12:33 PM Patrick O'Callaghan <pocallaghan(a)gmail.com
>  
wrote:

>  On Thu, 2023-09-28 at 15:57 +0200, Gianluca Cecchi wrote:
>  > Hello,
>  > after upgrading from fedora 37 to 38 the scanner still works quite
>  > well,
>  > but it seems that my printing is somehow grainy, even for well
>  > defined
>  > documents.
>  > Initially I thought of a possible reason with the just replaced toner
>  > but
>  > then trying to print the same pdf file from my Samsung S22 phone it
>  > prints
>  > perfectly.
>  > Both the printer and the phone use wifi connection.
>  > After upgrading I got the usual message that the driver needed to be
>  > reinstalled but I continually got checksum error and it didn't
>  > complete.
>  > I then manually downloaded from here:
>  > https://www.openprinting.org/download/printdriver/auxfiles/HP/plugins/
>  > and gave the .run file to the wizard as input and the printer worked
>  > again,
>  > but output is grainy.
>  > On my fedora 38 I have hplip-3.23.5-8.fc38.x86_64 so I downloaded the
>  > hplip-3.23.5-plugin.run file from the web site above.
>  > Could that be the reason?
> >  
>  > Running hp-check I see
> >  
>  > HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134
>  > -------------------------
>  > Type: Printer
>  > Device URI: hp:/net/HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134?ip=192.168.1.223
>  > PPD: /etc/cups/ppd/HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134.ppd
>  > PPD Description: HP LaserJet MFP m129-m134, hpcups 3.23.5
>  > Printer status: printer HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134 is idle.  enabled
>  > since
>  > Thu 28 Sep 2023 03:18:44 PM CEST
>  > Communication status: Good
> >  
>  > Any other better optimized ppd to use? Or anything else
> to
>  > check/debug?
>
>  I've had good results just by uninstalling the manufacturer's driver
>  (Brother in my case) and configuring the printer/scanner to use IPP.
>  
<
https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/product-specs/hp-laserjet-ultra-mfp-...
>  
says this model is USB only, so does not have native support
for IPP.

>  
> I recently saw a news item saying (IIRC) that MS intend to
remove
> proprietary drivers from future Windows versions and "encouraging"
> manufacturers to use standard protocols, so at some future time expect
> them to stop supporting specific drivers for Linux.
>  
Vendors aren't maintaining their legacy drivers so they often break
when used with newer kernels.  That leaves users relying on community
supported PPD's.  It may be possible support IPP using older drivers
in a VM..

-- 
George N. White III

[Gianluca Cecchi]

On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 9:01 PM George N. White III <gnwiii(a)gmail.com&gt;
wrote:

>  On Thu, Sep 28, 2023 at 12:33 PM Patrick O'Callaghan <
>  pocallaghan(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote:
>
> >
> > [snip] 
> > I've had good results just by uninstalling the manufacturer's driver
> > (Brother in my case) and configuring the printer/scanner to use IPP.
> >
>
>  <
>
> https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/product-specs/hp-laserjet-ultra-mfp-...
>  >
>  says this model is USB only, so does not have native support for IPP.
>
> >
> > I recently saw a news item saying (IIRC) that MS intend to remove
> > proprietary drivers from future Windows versions and "encouraging"
> > manufacturers to use standard protocols, so at some future time expect
> > them to stop supporting specific drivers for Linux.
> >
>
>  Vendors aren't maintaining their legacy drivers so they often break
>  when used with newer kernels.  That leaves users relying on community
>  supported PPD's.  It may be possible support IPP using older drivers
>  in a VM..
>
>  --
>  George N. White III
>
>
>  
Thanks for your replies.
My model is this one:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/details/hp-laserjet-pro-mfp-m130-ser...
In support and drivers it makes me go here at the end:
https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-imaging-and-printing/supported_devices...
where for my printer I find:

Model name                                min hplip version  chrome os
support
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m130fw    3.16.11                 Yes

driver plug-in   Support level   print mode   scan to pc  pc send fax
 connectivity
No                    Full                  Mono           Yes
Yes               USB,Network

I'm trying to see then what the hoto here suggests

Gianluca

[George N. White III]

On Sun, Oct 1, 2023 at 6:09 AM Gianluca Cecchi <gianluca.cecchi(a)gmail.com&gt;
wrote:

>  On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 9:01 PM George N. White III
> <gnwiii(a)gmail.com&gt;
>  wrote:
>
> > On Thu, Sep 28, 2023 at 12:33 PM Patrick O'Callaghan <
> > pocallaghan(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> [snip]
>
> >
> >> I've had good results just by uninstalling the manufacturer's driver
> >> (Brother in my case) and configuring the printer/scanner to use IPP.
> >>
> >
> > <
> >
> https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/product-specs/hp-laserjet-ultra-mfp-...
> > >
> > says this model is USB only, so does not have native support for IPP.
> >
> >>
> >> I recently saw a news item saying (IIRC) that MS intend to remove
> >> proprietary drivers from future Windows versions and "encouraging"
> >> manufacturers to use standard protocols, so at some future time expect
> >> them to stop supporting specific drivers for Linux.
> >>
> >
> > Vendors aren't maintaining their legacy drivers so they often break
> > when used with newer kernels.  That leaves users relying on community
> > supported PPD's.  It may be possible support IPP using older drivers
> > in a VM..
> >
> > --
> > George N. White III
> >
> >
> >
>  Thanks for your replies.
>  My model is this one:
>
>
> https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/details/hp-laserjet-pro-mfp-m130-ser...
>  In support and drivers it makes me go here at the end:
>
>  https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-imaging-and-printing/supported_devices...
>  where for my printer I find:
>
>  Model name                                min hplip version  chrome os
>  support
>  HP LaserJet Pro MFP m130fw    3.16.11                 Yes
>
>  driver plug-in   Support level   print mode   scan to pc  pc send fax
>   connectivity
>  No                    Full                  Mono           Yes
>  Yes               USB,Network
>
>  I'm trying to see then what the hoto here suggests
>  
If your model supports network access, check for Apple AirPrint.
Currently, Airprint is
essentially the same as IPP  (Apple could change IPP support anytime, but
if you have
IPP working on non-Apple devices.you may not be affected until you install
some HP
update to your printer to support the new AirPrint).

With IPP you should install legacy CUPS PPD's as IPP provides the
information that
used to come in PPD's directly from the printer.

-- 
George N. White III

[Gianluca Cecchi]

It seems that configuring it via cups and using the driverless option of
discovered network printers gives the best results in printing quality.
Connected to the cupsd through https://localhost:631 in a browser:
Administration
authentication with root
Add printer
In "discovered network printers" section I get these 3 options:

HP LaserJet MFP M130fw (3330D5) (HP LaserJet MFP M129-M134)
HP LaserJet MFP M130fw (HP LaserJet MFP M129-M134)
HP LaserJet MFP M129-M134 (driverless) (HP LaserJet MFP M129-M134)

I chose the "(driverless)" one.
From what I understand the .ppd file should be created on the fly with
cupsd communicating with the printer itself about its capabilities.
In /etc/cups/printers.conf I get at the end:

configuration made by hplip and using ppd described in the beginning of the
thread:

<Printer HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134>
PrinterId 6
UUID urn:uuid:54d8b569-230d-3b4b-6257-e384254c5030
Info
Location
MakeModel HP LaserJet MFP m129-m134, hpcups 3.23.5
DeviceURI hp:/net/HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134?ip=192.168.1.223
State Idle
StateTime 1695995051
ConfigTime 1695022167
Type 36868
Accepting Yes
Shared Yes
JobSheets none none
QuotaPeriod 0
PageLimit 0
KLimit 0
OpPolicy default
ErrorPolicy stop-printer
</Printer>

<Printer HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134_driverless>
PrinterId 8
UUID urn:uuid:5cb90984-e18c-32b4-4ca2-50fac32da52a
AuthInfoRequired none
Info HP LaserJet MFP M129-M134 driverless
Location unitedStates
MakeModel LaserJet MFP M129-M134 - IPP Everywhere
DeviceURI ipps://NPI3330D5.local:631/ipp/print
State Idle
StateTime 1696161542
ConfigTime 1696161247
Type 36868
Accepting Yes
Shared No
JobSheets none none
QuotaPeriod 0
PageLimit 0
KLimit 0
OpPolicy default
ErrorPolicy stop-printer
Attribute marker-colors \#000000,none
Attribute marker-levels 97,79
Attribute marker-low-levels 3,1
Attribute marker-high-levels 100,100
Attribute marker-names Black Cartridge HP CF217A,Imaging Drum HP CF219A
Attribute marker-types toner,opc
Attribute marker-change-time 1696161525
</Printer>

corresponding files under /etc/cups/ppd are quite different:

diff HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134_driverless.ppd HP_LaserJet_MFP_M129-M134.ppd
1a2,4
>  *%%%% PPD file for HP LaserJet MFP m129-m134 with CUPS.
>  *%%%% Created by the CUPS PPD Compiler CUPS v2.4.6.
>  *% (c) 2008 Copyright HP Development Company, LP 
3c6
< *FileVersion: "2.4"
---
>  *FileVersion: "3.23.5" 
5a9,25
>  *PCFileName: "hp-laserjet_mfp_m129-m134.ppd"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m132a)"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m132nw)"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m132snw)"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m134a)"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m132fw)"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m132fn)"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m132fp)"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m134fn)"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m130a)"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m130nw)"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m130fn)"
>  *Product: "(HP LaserJet Pro MFP m130fw)"
>  *Manufacturer: "HP"
>  *ModelName: "HP LaserJet MFP m129-m134"
>  *ShortNickName: "HP LaserJet MFP m129-m134 hpijs"
>  *NickName: "HP LaserJet MFP m129-m134, hpcups 3.23.5" 
8,14d27
< *FileSystem: False
< *PCFileName: "ippeve.ppd"
< *Manufacturer: "HP"
< *ModelName: "LaserJet MFP M129-M134"
< *Product: "(LaserJet MFP M129-M134)"
< *NickName: "LaserJet MFP M129-M134 - IPP Everywhere"
< *ShortNickName: "LaserJet MFP M129-M134 - IPP Everywhere"
....

with hplip configured one being hp-laserjet_mfp_m129-m134.ppd and the new
and better one being ippeve.ppd (I presume created on the fly while
configuring)

Gianluca

[Doug Herr]

On Sun, Oct 1, 2023, at 2:08 AM, Gianluca Cecchi wrote:
>  Thanks for your replies.
>  My model is this one:
>
> https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/details/hp-laserjet-pro-mfp-m130-ser...
>  In support and drivers it makes me go here at the end:
>  https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-imaging-and-printing/supported_devices...
>  where for my printer I find:
>
>  Model name                                min hplip version  chrome os support 
>  HP LaserJet Pro MFP m130fw    3.16.11                 Yes       
Doing a general google search with that model plus "linux" I ended up with the
suggestion to download and install the version of hplip found at:

https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-imaging-and-printing

That page says: "The current version of the HPLIP solution is version 3.23.8"

So I checked what F38 is offering:

Installing:
 hplip              x86_64       3.23.5-8.fc38       updates               20 M

So we are close, but not at the bleeding edge here. Maybe it would worth the hassle of
trying a manual install of it. If you do just make sure to watch where everything goes so
that you can clean it back up if it does not help.