In however long I've been using computers, I've never had this problem. Printer drivers have installed first time and lasted until either the printer or the computer expired.

I have an Epson stylus photo 1400 printer. I used it with my last computer, and on this computer without any driver problems until a couple of months back.

Suddenly, when I wanted to print anything, no matter how simple, it took about 20 minutes between pressing print and the printer even starting. Even with a very basic, short Word file.

It seemed that the Epson printer driver had just disappeared from my computer, without me doing anything. Presumably some system or software upgrade (?).

So I downloaded what purported to be the Epson driver from their website. It didn't look or work like the Epson driver I got or the CD, but at least it printed just after I hit 'print', but only for plain print. I have no options in PS to print on glossy paper or do any tweaks, etc.

So yesterday, as I need to print out a proper photo, I went back to Epson and tried to download a driver. It kept telling me that the printer was not connected to the computer. This is patently untrue, as both before and after getting the 'not connected' message, I could still print out simple documents on plain paper, out of Word or Photoshop. (Have no idea what driver it's using, as the proper driver isn't showing anywhere, and although the printer ink drop is flashing, I'm not getting the on screen message. I've stopped and started the printer, plugged the USB cable into a diferent USB socket when prompted etc.

Surprisingly, I found the original printer CD, and this morning when I switched on the computer, I started again from the CD. After several rounds of trying, I fired up PS, only to save screenshots of what messages I'm getting. (the instructions say not to have any other apps running, and I just wanted to make clear I didn't have PS running for a few times I was trying.

So here's what I'm getting when trying to install from CD:

and this is the next screen:

Hitting the problem solver leads to just a blank pale blue page.
If I go back to the beginning and choose custom install, I very quickly get this:

Clicking manual gives me a lot of ports to choose from, none of which seem relevant (but WDIK?) and hitting cancel takes me out of the whole installation process.

Trying to install from a downloaded exe from Epson's site just gets me to the second and third image above. Online,the problem solver just tells me to connect the computer to the USB, no more suggestions.
Yes, I am taking the USB out before I start and putting it in when I get the prompt, and I've tried two different USB ports. Note as above that the printer does work, it's not like something is dead.

Any suggestions before I go onto live help? (I've not had much luck with anyone else's live help - they always seem to stick rigidly to a 'script' that doesn't match my problem.)

TIA

Any suggestions before I throw myself at the mercy

What OS are you using?
If it's on Windows try uninstalling the driver completely before re-installing.
Could be an automatic update screwed things up. Look to see what updates have been made and restore to an earlier time?

Well, yeah, except that there was no Epson driver showing and apparently I was printing via 'Send to OneNote 2010'. And I've had so many Java upgrades (perpetual, it seems) etc that was going to be difficult.
However, your suggestion worked to a degree. I uninstalled everything that started with Epson, then used the CD again. Whoopee, it said the printer driver had installed. Had to reboot, then PS gave me an error message, "The saved printer information is not compatible with this version of Photoshop, or the saved printer is no longer available. You will need to check your printer settings before printing" which I've been getting intermittently.
However, the Epson driver was now listed in devices and printers, , and some of the functions are now available, including choosing paper type and size (but the ink cartidge monitor is blank). So as I didn't need the print for a competition, I used some ancient WHSmith Photo paper and the print was fine. But ha! I'm so used to Epson Premium Glossy being instantly touch try that I managed to get the tip of a thumbprint on the print and had to do it again!

Thanks. Got me out of a hole, and I'll be the blue-eyed girl once more. 

After over a decade of nothing but Epson printers, I gave up. Their software has gotten worse and worse recently. I had to switch over to Canon.

After over a decade of nothing but Epson printers, I gave up. Their software has gotten worse and worse recently. I had to switch over to Canon.

Funnily I was about to say I found Epson printers better than Canon, but to be fair, my last two printers were Epson (1250 then 1400) so I haven't used any recent Canon printers.

When I upgraded last summer my Xerox woudldn't work properly, I literally went out of my mind trying to install drivers and to find help.  I must have spent a good 2 days solid trouble shooting, so I had to plug in my Brother and use it.  About 2 weeks later I turned on my computer and a message popped up "your printer drivers have been updated sucessfully".  I felt kind estatic but angry at the same time.  I swear there are little fairies running around running the joint and playing silly tricks!