hp-unload
Remove an HP printer from the system
SYNOPSIS
hp-unload [OPTIONS] [LOCATION]
PARAMETERS
-d | --device=DEVICE-URI
HPLIP device URI (e.g., hp:/usb/OfficeJet_Pro?serial=...)
-p | --printer=PRINTER
Printer name (e.g., from lpstat -p or hp-setup -l)
-g | --gui
Invoke graphical user interface (if available)
-i | --interactive
Interactive mode for job selection
-l | --list
List available printer/device locations
-h | --help
Display help message and exit
-v | --verbose
Increase output verbosity (LOGLEVEL=10)
-d | --debug[=LEVEL]
Debug mode (LOGLEVEL=30, LEVEL 0-9 for detail)
DESCRIPTION
The hp-unload command, part of the HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP) software suite, removes documents stored in the memory or hard disk of supported HP printers and multifunction devices (MFPs). These documents typically include received faxes, scanned files, or copy jobs held on the device after processing.
Devices with internal storage retain jobs to allow retrieval via front panels or software. If space is full or jobs are confidential, unloading frees resources and clears queues. hp-unload connects via USB, network (JetDirect), or other protocols to list, select, and delete jobs.
Specify a printer name (from lpstat -p or hp-setup -l) or device URI (hp:/...). Interactive or GUI modes allow selective unloading. It's essential for office MFPs like LaserJet, OfficeJet series with HDD options.
Requires HPLIP installed; use hp-check for setup verification. Works on Linux distributions with CUPS printing system.
CAVEATS
Only for HP devices with job storage (MFPs/HDD models); requires HPLIP & device plugin. May need sudo for some network devices. Verify support with hp-info -d DEVICE. Overloaded -d flag: arg sets device, no arg sets debug.
EXAMPLES
hp-unload -p HP_OfficeJetPro - Unload all jobs from printer.
hp-unload -l - List unloadable locations.
hp-unload --device=hp:/net/OfficeJet?ip=192.168.1.100 - Target network device.
hp-unload -g - Launch GUI.
REQUIREMENTS
HPLIP package (>=2.0), CUPS, Python 3. Supported on Ubuntu, Fedora, etc. Install via distro repos or hp-setup.
HISTORY
Developed by HP as part of HPLIP (initial release ~2003), with hp-unload added in early versions (~0.9, 2005) to manage emerging MFP storage features amid Linux printing adoption.
