Intermittend communication with printer

I am running Windows 7 on a Dell desktop, about three years old. I also have an HP 6600 printer/scanner.

The problem I have is that I keep losing communication between the computer and the printer. "Unable to communicate with printer" is the error message even though it's fully plugged in. Restarting the computer and printer generally will fix it, but that's an awful lot of trouble to go through a few times a week just to do a simple print or scan! Believe me, the cable is fine. Any suggestions for quick fixes will be appreciated.

Is the connection USB or ethernet?

USB

Just to make things really confusing, I just tried the print again, and it worked. So it really is pretty random.

Thanks! I found three USB Root hubs, one Intel (R) 3.0 Root Hub and two that just say USB root hub. I unchecked them all. I was then able to print a page, and the command took the printer out of power saving mode. So that could be it.

cyclops said:

That's good, but it's probably not permanent. First thing I would suggest as part of a process of elimination would be to change the power management setting for the USB Root Hub associated to the printers connection. You'll find that in device manager.

Attachment 374608

Uncheck the box Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.