Printers start speaking in tongues after Windows 11 update
- Reference: 1741803068
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2025/03/12/printer_bug_windows_11/
- Source link:
The update in question is [1]KB5050092 , a preview released at the end of January.
There were several known issues with this update, including [2]problems with some Citrix software , but making USB printers speak in tongue is a new one.
[3]
[4]According to Microsoft, the glitch can affect USB-connected dual-mode printers that support both USB Print and IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) over USB protocols.
[5]
[6]
Microsoft said: "You might observe that the printer unexpectedly prints random text and data, including network commands and unusual characters. As a result of this issue, the printed text often starts with the header 'POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1' followed by other IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) related headers."
It's a peek behind the curtains of how printing protocols and drivers work that manufacturers might prefer users not to see.
[7]Microsoft quantum breakthrough claims labelled 'unreliable' and 'essentially fraudulent'
[8]Choose your own Patch Tuesday adventure: Start with six zero-day fixes, or six critical flaws
[9]Microsoft adds another Copilot hotkey – this time for AI voice chat
[10]Microsoft will kill Remote Desktop soon, insists you'll love replacement
"This issue tends to occur more often when the printer is either powered on or reconnected to the device after being disconnected," Microsoft added.
The problem happens when the printer driver is installed on the user's Windows device. The print spooler mistakenly sends some IPP protocol messages to the printer, which are then printed as unexpected text.
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Considering how much printer consumables cost nowadays, and the [12]antipathy some major printer makers feel toward both customers and third-party consumable manufacturers, users understandably don't want to waste precious ink or toner by printing nonsense.
Microsoft said: "This issue is mitigated using Known Issue Rollback (KIR)." IT administrators can also use a special Group Policy to deploy a KIR.
As for a longer-term fix, Microsoft said: "We are working on a final resolution that will be part of a future Windows update." ®
Get our [13]Tech Resources
[1] https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/january-29-2025-kb5050092-os-builds-22621-4830-and-22631-4830-preview-fc9d13d6-09c6-412e-aab5-939e2c13a768
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/15/windows_patch_tuesday_citrix/
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z9ISDtJudNbAEDmQc2zPewAAAAk&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[4] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/release-health/status-windows-11-23h2#3495msgdesc
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z9ISDtJudNbAEDmQc2zPewAAAAk&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Z9ISDtJudNbAEDmQc2zPewAAAAk&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/12/microsoft_majorana_quantum_claims_overshadowed/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/12/patch_tuesday/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/11/microsoft_voice_chat_copilot/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/11/microsoft_remote_desktop_support/
[11] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z9ISDtJudNbAEDmQc2zPewAAAAk&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/19/hps_ceo_spells_it_out/
[13] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Throw in HP
It is not keeping older (pre - 2024) kit working that is the problem, its that the older kit 'keeping' working is a 'revenue limiting' condition !!!
The new young 'go-getters' are after 'their' bonuses etc ... so 'letting' some of the older kit 'suddenly' become obselete is very useful ... even if the 'older kit' needs a little 'push' to help it along !!!
So what if you bought the kit and 'think' you own it !!!
Device drivers are a very useful 'device', pun intended, to engender obsolescence, as all the Printer manufacturers have found BUT particularly thinking of HP !!!
How many of you have come across the 'No longer supports these Printers and/or [devices] ...' message when upgrading Device Drivers.
:)
Re: Throw in HP
But if the H/W is simply a loss-leader to sell the consumables then there's no mileage at all in killing it unless, of course, it's very old kit that isn't tied to vendor's ink.
Re: Throw in HP
I suspect USB-attached printers are most likely on home installs, so the "Known Issue Rollback" process is probably useless to them.
Fortunately only adrenaline junkies would install a Microsoft preview, and they'll be thrilled by this bug.
Re: Throw in HP
It's not only printers that Microsoft fuck up. It is everything they touch. Nadella needs to get a grip, but then again his head is in the cloud and he's driven by an AI bot. Time to dump MSFT, if not done already.
Don't turn off
> "This issue tends to occur more often when the printer is either powered on or reconnected to the device after being disconnected," Microsoft added.
So the problem only happens when the printer is turned on? Okay. That's easy to fix... Never turn it on and you'll never have a problem.
Re: Don't turn off
So true :)
I have found ALL my kit works perfectly if never used !!!
:)
Re: Don't turn off
and better still.... it never needs updating or that 150gb 'patch' to update it
The most valuable tech commodity you can own...
...is an EOL'd Windows PC. So when MS screw your system with one of their updates (when there is a vowel in the month), you can still do stuff on your air-gapped, offline machine.
Re: The most valuable tech commodity you can own...
We've seen a few Microsoft printer update problems for years so this is no change in the computing world.
But if you are still using older versions of Windows then you'll never see any more update problems, everything is working fine for me.
Where do I send the bill
for the wasted paper and ink ?
Re: Where do I send the bill
You've got to be able to print it out before you can send it...
Apple, anyone?
If you think there is a fruity solution, read this first: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/12/hardware_os_lockin_monopolies/
My sadly now deceased mother was so infuriated by MS installing updates on her PC, which she only used for solo games like solitaire, e-mails, web browsing and her photography that she bought an iMac just to connect to he Interplay, and took the PC and printer offline.*
What with computers no longer having the old standard USB connectors or SD card slots, actually transferring a file to removable media and taking to to your local 'Snappy Snaps' for printing will become more difficult.
* Plus, as my brother in law lived much closer he had to do the IT support - this is what I call a 'Win-Win' situation for me, and a 'Lose-Lose' situation for him :o)
Throw in HP
fucking up device drivers, it seems like the rot economy has fired so many aged over 21 they have forgetten how to keep the lights on for anything made before 2024.