$ Linux Command

Administration

reject

Reject print jobs to a printer queue.

printingcupslpdqueueprinter

Additional Notes

reject tells the print system to stop accepting print jobs on a specified printer queue. New print jobs are refused, but jobs already in the queue continue to process. It is used by system administrators to take a printer offline for maintenance, troubleshooting, or replacement.

On modern Linux systems using CUPS (Common Unix Printing System), reject is a wrapper around cupsreject. On legacy LPD systems, it interacts directly with the line printer daemon. The companion command accept re-enables the printer queue.

Syntax

reject [options] [destination...]

Parameters

  • destination: Printer name or queue name.

Common Options

  • -E: Force encryption when connecting to the CUPS server.
  • -h host[:port]: Specify the CUPS server hostname and port.
  • -r reason: Provide a reason for rejecting jobs, shown to users.
  • -U username: Specify the username for authentication.
  • --help: Show help and exit.

Examples

reject laserjet

Stop accepting jobs on the laserjet printer.

reject -r "Maintenance until 5pm" laserjet

Reject jobs with a message explaining the reason.

reject -h printserver.example.com:631 laserjet

Reject jobs on a remote CUPS server.

accept laserjet

Re-enable the printer queue (counterpart to reject).

reject -E -U admin laserjet

Reject jobs using encrypted connection as user admin.

Practical Notes

  • Use lpstat -p to see the current status of printer queues.
  • Jobs already in the queue continue printing after reject. Use cancel to remove them.
  • The -r reason message is displayed when users try to print with lpstat -p or printing applications.
  • On CUPS systems, reject and accept modify the printer's printer-is-accepting-jobs attribute.
  • For more advanced printer management, use the CUPS web interface at http://localhost:631.