I think you refer to a 'warm' reset? Does the printer's utility program provide this function, along with the option to pause or cancel the print queue, check ink supply, etc.?
Do you have the ability to send Escape-key codes to the printer, which command it to do certain things? Example, send ASCII 27 64 to initialize an Epson printer.
lprng.sourceforge.net/DISTRIB/RESOURCES/PPD/epson.htm
* Manufacturers have an incentive to discourage exploration of their equipment's inner workings.
* Noise and spikes on the power supply might be the culprit.
* Sometimes there's no substitute for cold reset (turning it off, then on again).
* Or if that doesn't work, unplug the power cord for a minute to let all circuits fall back to zero.