Microsoft has fixed a Windows bug that caused USB printers to print gibberish

Earlier this month, Microsoft confirmed that a Windows update released in late January could cause USB printers to print arbitrary text. Now, the company has announced a fix for the issue.

Image source: Bleepin Computer

The corresponding patch was included in the KB5053643 and KB5053657 packages for Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2, respectively. Later, this fix will also be part of the cumulative update package, the distribution of which will begin in April. Curiously, Windows 11 24H2 is not affected by this problem.

«We recommend that you install the latest update for your device as it contains important improvements and fixes for issues including this one,” Microsoft said in a statement.

After discovering a problem with printing on USB printers, Microsoft had to use the Known Issue Rollback mechanism to return affected computers to the state before the problematic update was installed. Most often, USB printers affected by this bug spontaneously began printing random text starting with the header “POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1”. This was followed by random text, usually related to the Internet Printing Protocol. Most often, spontaneous printing began when the printer was turned on or after it was reconnected.