By now, everyone is all too familiar with the bugs that come with every Windows update. While Microsoft usually fixes major issues fairly quickly, there’s one particular bug that’s been around since early 2025. Fortunately, it won’t be around much longer.
Microsoft's new optional update saves the day
Microsoft has addressed an annoying bug that caused dual-mode printers connected via USB to print random text and data after certain updates. The issue was addressed with the March 2025 non-security update KB5053643 for Windows 10, version 22H2.
Additionally, Microsoft has released the optional update KB5053657 for Windows 11 23H2, with the release notes quietly mentioning that the annoying printer issue has finally been fixed. However, if you're running Windows 11 24H2, you'll have to wait until March 27, 2025 for the optional update to become available. According to Windows Latest, Microsoft also plans to address the issue globally with April's Patch Tuesday update.
The support document states, "[Printer] Fixed: Dual-mode printers connected via USB that support both US Print and IPP Over USB protocols may unexpectedly output incorrect or unexpected text" .
Microsoft initially provided a workaround for system administrators using Known Issue Rollback (KIR) through Group Policy configuration. This feature allows Microsoft to roll back non-security related errors caused by Windows updates without requiring users to uninstall the entire update.
Unfortunately, while advanced users on Windows Pro may have used this workaround to continue printing without errors, it still wasn't enough to solve the problem for everyone.
A few weeks ago, Microsoft confirmed the bug via the Windows Health Dashboard, explaining that it causes dual-mode printers connected via USB to print random text and data. The output typically starts with a "POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1" header and includes network commands, strange characters, and an IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) header.
According to Microsoft, the bug is most likely to occur when the printer is powered on or reconnected to the PC after being disconnected for a while. The bug affects users who have installed the non-security preview update K2050092, released on or after January 29, 2025.
The tech giant recommends installing the latest update on your device right now, as it includes other important improvements and bug fixes in addition to this update. Overall, if this bug is causing you headaches, you can now install the optional March updates to get your printer working properly again. Otherwise, you can wait for the global fix that will be released on April Patch Tuesday.
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