Epson V500 Photo scanner error "can't communicate. . . ."
I've tried everything I've seen, here and everywhere I've looked at online (yes, including trying a different USB cable, disconnecting everything for a while and putting it back in, and more) to learn how to get my Epson Perfection V500 scanner to stop giving me the message about my MacBook Pro (with Retina Display) being unable to connect with the scanner. It used to happen, but rarely, through several versions of the Mac OS, including when I still used Sierra, but since I've gone to Mojave (which has given me many other serious problems), I get the message all the time along with the flashing orange light, which comes on after clicking on "Epson Scan."
I've talked at considerable length and twice with Epson Support (they are pathetic though very pleasant), and they have finally concluded that something is wrong with the scanner, even though it goes on beautifully, and the green light that stays on until I click on Epson Scan seems to indicate that the connection with the wall socket is fine. They suggested that I get a new scanner, but if there is anything else that I can try (they only suggested the basic things that a user can find everywhere), I want to do that. I know that you all can't address issues with the scanner itself, but can you think of any way that the Mac itself, or the OS software might be affecting what is happening? Should I try to go back to Sierra, for example? I have to call Apple, in the hope of undoing the multiple weird problems I've had with Mojave, but I'm hoping not to have to go that route, but can just reinstall it. Might the problem have to do with something else about my computer?
I really don't want to have to buy a new scanner, if I don't have to. This same problem seems not to be unusual with quite a few older scanner models, and I don't know that the newer ones would work with my current computer. Besides, I'm not ready to get a new computer, so if I can just deal with the issue of the error message now, I'll be very grateful.
I hope I'm making myself clear. If you have any ideas other than Epson's – that the scanner is not working as it should – whether about Mojave or any other Apple issue, I would appreciate your input.
Thank you so much.
MacBook Pro 13″