Brother MFC-L2690DW

supusr · 2026-03-20 19:20:31

I recently became depressed about Debian after reading more about the direction systemd is going with age verification and about the current problems with the leader election, and installed Devuan Xfce. I have used Devuan before and like it fine, except that I was not able to install the above-referenced printer. On Devian Trixie that printer installs automatically with good drivers that allow for all the basic functions, but on Devuan it does not. I am back on Trixie for now due to this issue, but would like to use Devuan if I could get my specific printer going. I've tried the drivers available on the Brother website, but they don't work. There must be a .deb package available since it automatically installs on Debian. If anyone has a solution I would like to come back to Devuan.

brocashelm · 2026-03-20 21:27:45

I don't think it should be any different installing that printer on Devuan, since the main difference is removing Systemd from their packages. In other words, the DEB file(s) for Brother drivers as provided by Debian should remain the same as in Devuan. I do not have that particular printer, but my HL-L2320D just flew with the printer-driver-brlaser driver package, and using Daedalus (putting off on Excalibur for the foreseeable future, since Debian made it even harder to keep Systemd or Elogind out of installs).

greenjeans · 2026-03-20 21:38:24

You may have to check in the repo, Devuan doesn't by default install all printer packages. I'm no printer expert as I never use one, so I use the system-config-printer app to help out, it's been very useful.

Dutch_Master · Yesterday 00:14:46

Brother has an installer for its devices. Just a script, runs on pretty much any Linux version and does the work of installing the correct drivers for you. See the Brother Linux page to find it.

supusr · Yesterday 03:49:18

Thanks to those who replied. As I stated in the initial post, the drivers/installers on the Brother site don't work in my case. I think the system-config-printer route may possibly work -- I've used in on Arch. Since I would have to first reinstall Devuan to try it, it will have to wait until I have the time to do that before finding out if it solves my problems. Maybe next weekend I'll have the time. Thanks again.

Andre4freedom · Yesterday 09:11:53

@supusr:
Your printer Brother MFC-L2690DW is in the "driverless printer list" and can print using AirPrint.
When I have such a printer to connect:
- Connect it to your local network
- Make sure CUPS is fully installed
- Start everything
- And at log-in (Cinnamon) "Printer Connected" shows up.
Until now, this has worked with all Brother and most HP, Lexmark and other printer brands.
Maybe this helps: https://dev1galaxy.org/viewtopic.php?pid=60751#p60751
And this: https://dev1galaxy.org/viewtopic.php?pid=58428#p58428
And sure this: https://dev1galaxy.org/viewtopic.php?pid=57101#p57101
That goes for Devuan Daedalus, Excalibur
I use OpenRC or sysvinit and Cinnamon or XFCE
I never have to worry about printers again. Good luck.

slonik · Yesterday 18:02:34

The printer should be connected to the Wi-Fi router - the same one your computer (from which you want to print) is connected to - so that both are on the same Wi-Fi network. The printer's manual should explain how to do this. Another option is to connect the printer directly to the computer using a USB cable.

You need to install CUPS.
Go to: http://localhost:631
Click: Administration (it will ask for the root password)
Click: Find New Printers

CUPS will start listening for printers that announce themselves on the network and, after a moment, will display them.

Then add the printer and configure it (also within CUPS)

supusr · Today 03:26:46

Slonik: Thanks very much for going to the trouble of laying out the steps like this for me. I will definitely try it when I reinstall, and will let (all of you) know how it goes. Like I said earlier, this will no doubt have to wait for next weekend. -- supusr

Duke Nukem · Today 10:23:14

I understand that these new "driverless" printers (but isn't Airprint a driver of sorts, built into CUPS?) have come about thanks to people needing to print from smartphones. Smartphones could have printer drivers of course, but they seem to have provided the impetus for some standardisation. I guess the fancier, proprietary, driver software is now in the printer itself, like Postscript printers were before cheap Win-Printers overtook the market.

kapqa · Today 11:41:43

it seem to me to have a reasonable well aerated room for a laser printer is bigger issue than getting those newer printer to function with computer - laser printers are sure quite a health hazard and would certainly not wanna use one in a room where would work; they need a separate closet, and proper ventilation, and inhaling the fine dusts might cause all sorts of "issues" would contend, "depression" included.
(no health expert, just my opionion)

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#1 2026-03-20 19:20:31

Brother MFC-L2690DW

#2 2026-03-20 21:27:45

Re: Brother MFC-L2690DW

#3 2026-03-20 21:38:24

Re: Brother MFC-L2690DW

#4 Yesterday 00:14:46

Re: Brother MFC-L2690DW

#5 Yesterday 03:49:18

Re: Brother MFC-L2690DW

#6 Yesterday 09:11:53

Re: Brother MFC-L2690DW

#7 Yesterday 18:02:34

Re: Brother MFC-L2690DW

#8 Today 03:26:46

Re: Brother MFC-L2690DW

#9 Today 10:23:14

Re: Brother MFC-L2690DW

#10 Today 11:41:43

Re: Brother MFC-L2690DW

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