A recent Windows update caused chaos for USB printer users. After installing the January 2025 preview updates (KB5050081 for Windows 10 and KB5050092 for Windows 11), some printers started spitting out random, nonsensical text. Imagine printing a report and getting a jumble of strange characters instead. This issue specifically impacts USB dual-mode printers that support both USB print and IPP over USB protocols.
Table of Contents
What Does the Problem Look Like?
Printers randomly print garbled text, often starting with “POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1” and other IPP-related headers.
When It Happens
- After turning on the printer.
- After reconnecting the printer to your computer.
Affected Systems
- Windows 11 (23H2) with update KB5050092.
- Windows 10 (22H2) with update KB5050081.
Why Did This Happen?
The bug was introduced in the January 2025 preview updates. These updates unintentionally triggered conflicts in how USB dual-mode printers handle data, leading to random output instead of proper print jobs.
How Was It Fixed?
Microsoft resolved this issue using Known Issue Rollback (KIR). This built-in feature lets Microsoft undo problematic changes from an update without requiring users to install anything manually.
What Should You Do?
If you’re affected, here’s how to fix it:
Wait It Out
The KIR fix automatically rolls out within 48 hours of its release (March 11, 2025). Restart your computer to speed up the process.
For Corporate Environments
Use Group Policy to deploy the KIR fix manually.
Download the appropriate KIR files:
If waiting isn’t an option, try restarting your system or temporarily rolling back the update entirely. Check for updates regularly to ensure your system stays patched against future bugs.