Linux cups error - lp: unable to print file: client-error-not-possible

The error

Whilst using lp or lpr to send a file (in this case /etc/services) to a printer the following error may occur.

lp: unable to print file: client-error-not-possible

Procedure to fix this problem

Ensure you are logged in as root.

Stop the cups service as follows.

service cups stop

Move any files out of the directory /var/spool/cups ensuring the sub-directory /var/spool/cups/tmp remains - for example.

mkdir /tmp/cups-jobs

mv /var/spool/cups/[c,d]* /tmp/cups-jobs

Start the cups service as follows

service cups start

Re-test the printer by sending a test print to it - for example

lp -d printer1 /etc/services