lubuntu 16.04 add network printer

Solution 1:

You probably have to install CUPS to be able to install printers; since 16.04 it is not part of the basic Lubuntu anymore. This is apparently a reason for quite a few people not being able to add printers in Lubuntu 16.04. The command is likely

sudo apt-get install libcups2:i386 libcupsfilters1:i386 libcupsimage2:i386 

instead of the typical

sudo apt-get install cups

You should try, I found contradicting info on this point.

Once you have CUPS (and you later mentioned you have it), configure the printer from CUPS, e.g., going to http://localhost:631/ -> Administration -> Add printer. Note: you have to: 1) be root, 2) be in the list of sudoers (this is what I use now), or 3) disable password protection for users in CUPS.

This is one of the possible methods listed here to manage printers. The link contains other possibly useful info (the source of your problem is not clear at this point).

Note that the Help menu in the web interface for CUPS contains a significant amount of information.