Getting "Unsupported PDF data for Direct Print" when printing certain PDF docs

[Brian Peterson]

When using Google Cloud Print to print certain documents, the document shows up in the GCP console (google.com/cloudprint/#jobs) as "Printed", however what actually gets printed is a single line:

"Unsupported PDF data for Direct Print: 1000"

I am attempting to print these documents using the "/submit" API for GCP, however I see the same errors when I upload the docs and manually print them from the aforementioned GCP console, at least using Firefox. Meanwhile, printing the same documents over a shared wifi (rather than through GCP) doesn't appear to generate this error.

I've investigated the issue online, and the information is pretty sparse. This unresolved Google Product Forum sees the issue brought up: https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/gmail/QBZK9w8Qyz0. The question-asker there mentions that his/her printer is a Brother printer, which mine is as well, and so it may be that my printer is the root of the problem. My only evidence to the contrary is that the same question-asker says that they called the Printer's support, and was told "it's a network/computer problem and not a Brother printer error".

I was wondering if anyone here had any thoughts on next steps I might take to rule out one option or another. Thanks!

[Brian Peterson]

Oh, I can give access to 3 PDF files which I have confirmed to generate this error, if asked. I would like to avoid posting them directly if possible.

[ry...@processsystems.com.au]

I get exactly the same error on about 5% of PDF's i print. Any ideas?

[Nick Westgate]

Possibly a Brother-specific problem:

http://support.brother.com/g/b/faqend.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hl4040cn_all&faqid=faq00002422_000

Cheers,

Nick

[tim matthews]

I use a Brother DCPL2540DW wireless laser working off the Google Cloud. It occasionally drops off the cloud and I have to go through the drill of re-registering it. A week or two ago it dropped off and after restoring the connection it would not print out any type of file other than single page stating "Unsupported data for Direct Print: 3000". I didn't change any printer settings. There was however, a popup message during the re-register process asking if I wanted to update the printer's firmware - which I did. I don't follow how printer firmware could be updated from Goggle Cloud, so I may be a malware victim.    

[Richard]

GCP on Brother printers uses a feature called Direct Print which is intended to support plugging media into the printer and printing files from the media (like a usb stick). Direct Print does not like PDF files that contain images. I ran into this problem and that may be what is causing the error for you. If you did far enough in the Brother web site you will find some doc describing what formats are and are not compatible with Direct Print and it states images in PDF files are not supported.