After installing the Windows 11 23H2 update, some users encountered an unexpected problem with their printers. Instead of printing familiar documents, their printers started to print meaningless symbols and network teams. The issue was caused by the KB5050092 update released at the end of January.
The glitch affected printers connected via USB that support two protocols simultaneously – USB Print and IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) via USB. Consequently, the printers began printing lines starting with post/IPP/Print HTTP/1.1, followed by IPP commands.
Microsoft explained that the error occurs most frequently when the device is connected or re-connected to the printer. The issue is related to the incorrect functioning of the driver, where the print spool sends IPP protocol messages to the printer, which interprets it as textual data and prints it out.
This inconvenience not only disrupts users’ printing tasks but also leads to additional expenses on consumables, such as ink and paper. Moreover, many printer manufacturers restrict the use of third-party cartridges, adding to the frustration caused by malfunctions.
Microsoft has suggested a temporary solution through the Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to revert the problematic update. IT administrators can also utilize a special group policy to implement this rollback. The company mentioned that they are actively working on fixing the error, with the permanent solution expected to be included in future Windows updates.
In the meantime, users are advised to either wait for the official patch or temporarily disable the update to prevent unexpected costs on consumables. Microsoft is committed to resolving the issue and ensuring a smoother printing experience for Windows 11 users.