I have the same problem on an old HP printer hooked up to my (even older) laptop at work. It usually happens immediatly after a paper jam or some other interruption to the print job. The only cure I have found is to ensure the spooler is empty of print tasks, and to switch off the printer and then switch on again.
I know this doesnt 'bottom' the problem, but its the only way I know of getting round the issue short term.
Tim[