I found the answer. I checked "apt" history log in /var/log/apt and discovered that when I executed the "apt-get install ubuntu-desktop", the "ubuntu-desktop" package installed many cups packages (see below). These installations fixed whatever problems cups had previously. Wish someone could have just told me about this simple solution to fixing cups.
Start-Date: 2017-02-25 19:10:43 Commandline: apt-get install ubuntu-desktop Requested-By: sunbear (1000) Install: python3-pexpect:amd64 (4.0.1-1, automatic), hplip-data:amd64 (3.16.3+repack0-1, automatic), libqpdf17:amd64 (6.0.0-2, automatic), liblouisutdml-data:amd64 (2.5.0-3, automatic), printer-driver-splix:amd64 (2.0.0+svn315-4fakesync1, automatic), bluez-cups:amd64 (5.37-0ubuntu5, automatic), printer-driver-hpcups:amd64 (3.16.3+repack0-1, automatic), printer-driver-postscript-hp:amd64 (3.16.3+repack0-1, automatic), libsnmp-base:amd64 (5.7.3+dfsg-1ubuntu4, automatic), python3-reportlab-accel:amd64 (3.3.0-1, automatic), ubuntu-desktop:amd64 (1.361), printer-driver-pxljr:amd64 (1.4+repack0-4, automatic), cups-server-common:amd64 (2.1.3-4, automatic), ssl-cert:amd64 (1.0.37, automatic), python3-renderpm:amd64 (3.3.0-1, automatic), cups-filters:amd64 (1.8.3-2ubuntu3.1, automatic), libsnmp30:amd64 (5.7.3+dfsg-1ubuntu4, automatic), libcupsmime1:amd64 (2.1.3-4, automatic), hplip:amd64 (3.16.3+repack0-1, automatic), liblouisutdml6:amd64 (2.5.0-3, automatic), libhpmud0:amd64 (3.16.3+repack0- 1, automatic), printer-driver-gutenprint:amd64 (5.2.11-1, automatic), libfontembed1:amd64 (1.8.3-2ubuntu3.1, automatic), libgutenprint2:amd64 (5.2.11-1, automatic), liblouisutdml-bin:amd64 (2.5.0-3, automatic), libsane-hpaio:amd64 (3.16.3+repack0-1, automatic), qpdf:amd64 (6.0.0-2, automatic), cups-filters-core-drivers:amd64 (1.8.3-2ubuntu3.1, automatic), python3-ptyprocess:amd64 (0.5-1, automatic), cups-core-drivers:amd64 (2.1.3-4, automatic), cups-daemon:amd64 (2.1.3-4, automatic), python3-reportlab:amd64 (3.3.0-1, automatic), cups:amd64 (2.1.3-4, automatic), libcupscgi1:amd64 (2.1.3-4, automatic), cups-browsed:amd64 (1.8.3-2ubuntu3.1, automatic) Remove: foomatic-filters:amd64 (4.0.17-8) End-Date: 2017-02-25 19:11:16 -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Touch seeded packages, which is subscribed to cups in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1661287 Title: Canon printer failed to connect with CUPS Status in cups package in Ubuntu: Incomplete Bug description: My canon printer has been working with Ubuntu 16.04 for quite sometime. Presently, for no reason, it now cannot be recognised. I have checked that the USB connections are working fine. When I unplug and replug the printer usb connection to my computer the syslog reflects it's present. However, it shows that it failed to connect with CUPS. udev-configure-printer[5761]: failed to connect to CUPS server; giving up I have provide the results to my printer checks below. Appreciate help to reestablish the proper connection of my printer and get it working with Ubuntu 16.04. tail -f /var/log/syslog Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot kernel: [95807.581378] usb 1-14: New USB device found, idVendor=04a9, idProduct=1754 Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot kernel: [95807.581387] usb 1-14: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3 Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot kernel: [95807.581391] usb 1-14: Product: MG5300 series Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot kernel: [95807.581395] usb 1-14: Manufacturer: Canon Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot kernel: [95807.581399] usb 1-14: SerialNumber: 20EE62 Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot kernel: [95807.591385] usblp 1-14:1.1: usblp0: USB Bidirectional printer dev 42 if 1 alt 0 proto 2 vid 0x04A9 pid 0x1754 Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot kernel: [95807.591527] usb-storage 1-14:1.2: USB Mass Storage device detected Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot kernel: [95807.593328] scsi host13: usb-storage 1-14:1.2 Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot systemd[1]: Starting Automatic USB/Bluetooth printer setup (-devices-pci0000:00-0000:00:14.0-usb1-1\x2d14)... Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot udev-configure-printer[5761]: add /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-14 Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot udev-configure-printer[5761]: device devpath is /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-14 Feb 2 22:36:38 Eliot udev-configure-printer[5761]: MFG:Canon MDL:MG5300 series SERN:- serial:20EE62 Feb 2 22:36:39 Eliot kernel: [95808.591918] scsi 13:0:0:0: Direct-Access Canon MG5300 series 0103 PQ: 0 ANSI: 2 Feb 2 22:36:39 Eliot kernel: [95808.592839] sd 13:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg6 type 0 Feb 2 22:36:39 Eliot kernel: [95808.597229] sd 13:0:0:0: [sdf] Attached SCSI removable disk Feb 2 22:36:43 Eliot udev-configure-printer[5761]: failed to connect to CUPS server; giving up Feb 2 22:36:43 Eliot systemd[1]: udev-configure-printer@-devices-pci0000:00-0000:00:14.0-usb1-1\x2d14.service: Control process exited, code=exited status=1 Feb 2 22:36:43 Eliot systemd[1]: Failed to start Automatic USB/Bluetooth printer setup (-devices-pci0000:00-0000:00:14.0-usb1-1\x2d14). Feb 2 22:36:43 Eliot systemd[1]: udev-configure-printer@-devices-pci0000:00-0000:00:14.0-usb1-1\x2d14.service: Unit entered failed state. Feb 2 22:36:43 Eliot systemd[1]: udev-configure-printer@-devices-pci0000:00-0000:00:14.0-usb1-1\x2d14.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'. @Eliot:~$ lsusb Bus 001 Device 043: ID 04a9:1754 Canon, Inc. @Eliot:~$ ls -l /dev/usb/lp* /dev/bus/usb/*/* crw-rw-r--+ 1 root lp 189, 42 Feb 2 22:40 /dev/bus/usb/001/043 crw-rw---- 1 root lp 180, 0 Feb 2 22:39 /dev/usb/lp0 @Eliot:~$ sudo usb_printerid /dev/usb/lp0 GET_DEVICE_ID string: MFG:Canon;CMD:BJL,BJRaster3,BSCCe,NCCe,IVEC,IVECPLI;SOJ:BJNP2,BJNPe;MDL:MG5300 series;CLS:PRINTER;DES:Canon MG5300 series;VER:1.030;STA:10;FSI:03;HRI:7;MSI:B030,DAT,E3,HFSF,JON,K21000700;PDR:6;PSE:ACFJ03117; @Eliot:~$ sudo usb_printerid /dev/bus/usb/001/043 Error: Inappropriate ioctl for device: GET_DEVICE_ID on '/dev/bus/usb/001/043' @Eliot:~$ lpinfo -v lpinfo: Bad file descriptor ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04 Package: cups (not installed) ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.4.0-59.80-generic 4.4.35 Uname: Linux 4.4.0-59-generic x86_64 NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_uvm nvidia_drm nvidia_modeset nvidia ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.5 Architecture: amd64 CurrentDesktop: Unity Date: Thu Feb 2 23:17:01 2017 InstallationDate: Installed on 2016-05-01 (277 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS "Xenial Xerus" - Release amd64 (20160420.1) SourcePackage: cups UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install) To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/cups/+bug/1661287/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages Post to : touch-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp