Microsoft has rolled out a fix that should put an end to the unexpected USB printer chaos many users have faced following the January Windows updates. Users complaining about their printers suddenly spitting out garbled text—often starting with the odd “POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1” header—can finally breathe easy as Microsoft’s March 2025 non-security preview updates have addressed the problem.
Highlights of the resolution include:
• The fix ensures that the USB printers correctly interpret the intended print commands rather than mistakenly printing protocol headers and extraneous data.
• For those who haven’t already installed the optional updates for this month, the fix will also be delivered as part of the cumulative updates in April 2025.
• Microsoft’s advisory on their release health dashboard clearly states: “We recommend you install the latest update for your device as it contains important improvements and issue resolutions.” This proactive advice is aimed at minimizing disruptions for everyday users.
Why did this matter? When updates that are designed to improve system security and performance inadvertently cause disruptions, KIR provides nearly real-time relief by backing out the problematic changes. In this case, enterprises quickly saw the return of normal printing operations, highlighting the importance of having robust rollback strategies in place.
In addition to these, Veeam—a major player in data backup and replication—issued a joint advisory with Microsoft regarding connection errors observed on Windows 11 24H2 systems. These errors occur while restoring data from Backup & Replication servers or accessing SMB network shares. While these issues are not directly related to the printing bug, they represent another instance of how recent updates have had unexpected side effects. Such overlapping concerns underscore the challenges inherent in rolling out system-wide updates where intertwined protocols and drivers are at play.
For IT experts and Windows enthusiasts alike, these updates bring up a few critical questions:
• How can system testing be enhanced to better capture niche issues related to peripheral devices?
• What more should be done to ensure that dual-mode devices, which support multiple protocols, do not inadvertently cause cascading system failures?
• And finally, as operating system architectures become increasingly complex, what measures can vendors implement to minimize the risks associated with extensive update rollouts?
The answer lies in a combination of enhanced pre-release testing, smarter rollback mechanisms like KIR, and timely bug fixes after updates are rolled out to a wider audience—all strategies that Microsoft seems to be working on diligently.
For Windows users, the advice remains the same: always keep your operating system updated. With each update, patches come not just to safeguard against security vulnerabilities but also to ensure that the everyday tools you rely on—like your printer—function as intended.
This episode serves as an instructive case study in update management, urging both home users and enterprise administrators to keep informed and vigilant, ensuring that the productivity benefits of new Windows features never come with an unexpected twist.
Source: BleepingComputer Microsoft fixes printing issues caused by January Windows updates
What’s Happening?
Recent Windows updates, released since late January 2025, unintentionally introduced a bug affecting certain dual-mode USB printers. These printers, which support both USB Print and IPP Over USB protocols, began misbehaving when the print spooler sent regular IPP protocol messages. The result? Erratic outputs of network commands and random characters printing on paper. This misprint phenomenon typically manifests when the printer is initially powered on or reconnected after being disconnected. For users trying to print important documents, the unexpected printouts quickly became an unwelcome nuisance.The Fix in Focus
Microsoft’s response came in the form of two non-security preview updates: KB5053643 for Windows 10 (version 22H2) and KB5053657 for Windows 11 (versions 22H2 and 23H2). These updates have been designed to rectify the printing issue by addressing the root cause in the communication between the Windows print spooler and IPP-enabled USB printers.Highlights of the resolution include:
• The fix ensures that the USB printers correctly interpret the intended print commands rather than mistakenly printing protocol headers and extraneous data.
• For those who haven’t already installed the optional updates for this month, the fix will also be delivered as part of the cumulative updates in April 2025.
• Microsoft’s advisory on their release health dashboard clearly states: “We recommend you install the latest update for your device as it contains important improvements and issue resolutions.” This proactive advice is aimed at minimizing disruptions for everyday users.
Behind the Rollout: Known Issue Rollback (KIR)
Earlier in the month, enterprise users benefited from Microsoft’s Known Issue Rollback (KIR) feature. KIR is a smart and efficient safety net that reverses known problematic non-security updates automatically, ensuring business-critical environments are not left in a lurch. This mechanism was previously used to mitigate the printing issue on enterprise devices and has now been extended to general updates, further showcasing Microsoft’s commitment to stabilizing the user experience.Why did this matter? When updates that are designed to improve system security and performance inadvertently cause disruptions, KIR provides nearly real-time relief by backing out the problematic changes. In this case, enterprises quickly saw the return of normal printing operations, highlighting the importance of having robust rollback strategies in place.
More Than Just Printing
Interestingly, this isn’t the only hiccup users have encountered. Microsoft has also addressed recent issues related to Remote Desktop (RDS) and connection problems after installing updates released post-January 2025. These fixes, initially deployed through KIR for enterprises, are soon to be rolled out more broadly.In addition to these, Veeam—a major player in data backup and replication—issued a joint advisory with Microsoft regarding connection errors observed on Windows 11 24H2 systems. These errors occur while restoring data from Backup & Replication servers or accessing SMB network shares. While these issues are not directly related to the printing bug, they represent another instance of how recent updates have had unexpected side effects. Such overlapping concerns underscore the challenges inherent in rolling out system-wide updates where intertwined protocols and drivers are at play.
How Can You Protect Your Workflow?
For Windows users, the primary takeaway is to stay current with the latest updates. Here are a few step-by-step tips to ensure your devices remain secure and fully operational:- Open the Windows Update settings on your device.
- Check for the latest updates—look specifically for the March 2025 preview updates (KB5053643 or KB5053657) if you’re on Windows 10 (22H2) or Windows 11 (22H2/23H2).
- Install any pending updates. This not only resolves the printing issue but will also cover other improvements and security enhancements.
- For enterprise users, ensure that your IT team is aware of the Known Issue Rollback procedures in case any unexpected issues crop up.
- If you’re reverting changes using KIR or have encountered similar issues after a recent update, consult your IT department or the official Windows release health dashboard—it can be an invaluable resource for troubleshooting.
Broader Implications and Future Considerations
This episode of errant printing serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of modern system updates. A bug affecting the communication protocol in printers can rise to prominence especially if it disrupts daily tasks such as printing documents or reports. The rapid response from Microsoft—with both corrective patch updates and rollback features—illustrates the balance companies must strike between pushing innovation and maintaining system stability.For IT experts and Windows enthusiasts alike, these updates bring up a few critical questions:
• How can system testing be enhanced to better capture niche issues related to peripheral devices?
• What more should be done to ensure that dual-mode devices, which support multiple protocols, do not inadvertently cause cascading system failures?
• And finally, as operating system architectures become increasingly complex, what measures can vendors implement to minimize the risks associated with extensive update rollouts?
The answer lies in a combination of enhanced pre-release testing, smarter rollback mechanisms like KIR, and timely bug fixes after updates are rolled out to a wider audience—all strategies that Microsoft seems to be working on diligently.
In Conclusion
The update fix for the printing issue signals a confident, proactive approach on Microsoft’s part to resolve unintended complications from recent Windows updates. By quickly addressing the anomaly that forced printers to print random text, along with tackling ancillary issues related to Remote Desktop and connectivity, Microsoft has reinforced its commitment to user experience and system reliability.For Windows users, the advice remains the same: always keep your operating system updated. With each update, patches come not just to safeguard against security vulnerabilities but also to ensure that the everyday tools you rely on—like your printer—function as intended.
This episode serves as an instructive case study in update management, urging both home users and enterprise administrators to keep informed and vigilant, ensuring that the productivity benefits of new Windows features never come with an unexpected twist.
Source: BleepingComputer Microsoft fixes printing issues caused by January Windows updates
