I run Ubuntu 16.10 on a laptop with one USB-A port (usually occupied by wireless mouse) and two USB-C ports. An Epson XP-800 is connected through a USB-C multi-device hub¹ and occasionally freezes during a job. Disconnecting the USB cable terminates the job and unfreezes the printer, but doesn't solve the underlying issue. The print often worked on the second try, so I hadn't discerned a pattern.
- Print job freezes were rare and never with WinXX computers.
- I recently noticed a job freeze was occurring at exactly the same point on a particular document when using either hub.
- The page printed successfully when the printer was connected though the USB-A port.
- I have not experienced freeze-ups with a straight-through USB-C to single USB-A adapter (so far).
Solution: Use a USB-A port or straight-through USB-C to single USB-A adapter.
¹ Either an IOGear USB-C to USB-A+VGA+HDMI+RJ45, or a Hyper-Drive USB-C 5-in-1