A laser scanning unit (LSU) control apparatus for controlling a laser scanning unit (LSU) in an electro-photographic image forming apparatus in which an installed developer forms an image by developing a result obtained by driving the LSU includes: a sensing unit sensing whether the developer is installed and whether a cover of the image forming apparatus is open or closed; an examining unit examining whether installation of the developer and closure of the cover are sensed; and an LSU driver driving the LSU by being switched in response to the examination result. An LSU control method includes sensing whether the developer is installed and the cover is closed, determining whether both the developer is installed and the cover is closed and driving the LSU if it is determined that both the developer is installed and the cover is closed.