Solved: Wireless networking hates bidirectional printing

Environment : Standard wireless network router connected to a shared Lexmark ZX52 printer.
The ZX52 is bidirectional so as we all know, to make it work as a shared printer on wireless you have to turn off the "bidirectional" feature.
Problem is, after a while the printer decides ink is low, whether it really is or not (you'd need full bidirectionality for this to work as it should.) Then the printer gets into a sulk and refuses to print. Rebooting, clearing the print spooler etc sometimes works but sometimes we've messed around for DAYS until the printer decided to work again - not really knowing why or which tactic was the one that really worked.
Help! Does anyone know how to make a ZX52 behave reliably in a WiFi environment where bidirectional comms are not possible?

 

Run a wire.

Seriously, WiFi is half-duplex, and i've had other issues with wireless print servers not supporting bi-directional printers.

 

I take your point. It's getting to that stage! But surely someone out there must have tamed a ZX-52 to not fail in this way when on WiFi. Or is there a replacement printer we could buy that does not misbehave when used as a shared device on WiFi?
Help!