A recent Windows update has sent shockwaves through the computing world, leaving many users baffled and frustrated as their printers unexpectedly churn out gibberish. Microsoft has confirmed this glitch, which is particularly affecting USB-connected dual-mode printers following the rollout of the KB5050092 update on January 29, 2025. The symptom of this troubling issue? Printers spewing random text, IPP protocol headers, and various network commands instead of the intended documents.
This peculiar bug, primarily affecting users running Windows 10 and Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2, can be traced back to the specific preview update. Microsoft explained, "You might observe issues with USB connected dual-mode printers... you might observe the printer unexpectedly printing random text and data, including network commands and unusual characters." The bizarre behavior is often accompanied by erroneously printed text beginning with the header "POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1".
Interestingly, the issue manifests more frequently when users power on their printers or reconnect them after disconnection, as the print spooler sends Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) messages to the printer. This unintended transmission can lead to the production of nonsensical text. "This issue tends to occur more often when the printer is either powered on or reconnected to the device after being disconnected," Microsoft stated.
Fortunately, Microsoft has not left affected users without remedy. They have implemented the Known Issue Rollback (KIR) feature, allowing enterprise IT administrators to revert to previous states of the affected Windows machines and bypass the troublesome changes caused by the update. The KIR can be set up as follows: Windows 11 22H2 KB5050092 250131_150523 Known Issue Rollback and Windows 10 22H2, 21H1, 21H2, and 22H2 KB5050081 250131_082569 Known Issue Rollback.
System administrators can find the necessary group policies located under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates. After installing, it is advised to restart the affected devices to apply the new settings. Microsoft has also provided extensive guidance for deploying and configuring KIR on their support website. The interim fix has received mixed reviews due to its complexity; advanced users on Windows Pro may manage the situation with relative ease, but average users might struggle.
It’s also notable to mention the update does not impact users of Windows 11 version 24H2, which has remained unaffected. It indicates hope for those who have upgraded successfully, unlike the users trapped with the previous versions experiencing the printer mayhem.
Adding to the relief of some users, Microsoft recently lifted the compatibility hold for AutoCAD users who had been unable to upgrade due to launch and crash issues. This development showcases Microsoft’s commitment to ensuring its software runs smoothly across various applications and peripheral devices.
This isn't the first time Microsoft users have faced bizarre behavior from their printers, as countless incidents over the years have been documented about IPP-related problems. There’s almost an irony to this technological ghostliness - one minute users are mindlessly printing contracts or holiday greetings, and the next, they are mere spectators to random strings of code whizzing out of their printers.
With Microsoft acknowledging the problem fully, they have reiterated their commitment to providing complete resolutions. The tech giant has promised, "We are working on a final resolution, which will be part of future Windows updates." Until then, users dealing with the glitch are encouraged to follow the existing mitigation strategies.
So, if your printer starts speaking gibberish, know you’re not alone. While these malfunctions may sound amusing, they can also lead to wasted supplies and unnecessary frustration—all signs of the digital age we live in. Microsoft users should stay tuned for future updates promising to quench the chaos and restore normality to their printing experiences.