Introduction

In early 2025, Microsoft released updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 that unexpectedly triggered a frustrating issue for users of certain USB-connected printers. Predominantly affecting dual-mode printers—those supporting both traditional USB Print and the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) over USB—this bug caused printers to output random, garbled text instead of the intended documents. This article explores the background and technical details of the problem, its impact on users and enterprises, and the solutions Microsoft has deployed to address it.

Background: The Emergence of the USB Printer Output Glitch

Starting with the January 2025 preview update KB5050092 and subsequent patches across Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (22H2, 23H2, and 24H2), users reported that their printers began printing nonsensical pages. These pages often opened with the string “POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1,” a notable HTTP header used in the IPP protocol. Instead of only printing user documents, affected printers spit out what looked like network command logs and protocol headers.

This behavior emerged primarily when printers were powered on or reconnected after being disconnected.

Dual-mode printers, which can handle traditional USB printing and IPP over USB, were caught in the middle of a miscommunication between the updated Windows print spooler and the printer firmware or driver. The print spooler began sending IPP command messages to the printer as if they were print data. The printer's firmware, interpreting these as job data, printed the network details rather than standard content.

Technical Details and Root Cause Analysis

  • Dual-Mode USB Printers: These devices support printing via standard USB protocols and also as network printers over IPP, blending wired and network printing functionalities.
  • IPP Protocol Misinterpretation: The Windows update altered how the print spooler handled protocol communications. Instead of correctly filtering IPP commands from print job data, the system forwarded IPP command packets to the printer device.
  • Firmware & Driver Interaction: Some printer drivers and firmware versions couldn’t differentiate between network commands and print jobs due to the changes in Windows USB communication handling.

This mix-up resulted in printouts that contained HTTP and IPP headers and other network debugging information rather than the user's document.

User and Enterprise Impact

  • For Individual Users: The glitch caused frustration and wasted resources as printer outputs were riddled with unusable data. Printing critical documents became problematic.
  • For Enterprise IT: The issue was amplified, disrupting workflows where large-scale printing operations took place. IT administrators faced challenges as devices auto-installed updates that triggered the bug, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased support calls.

Microsoft's Response and Resolution

Known Issue Rollback (KIR)

Before a full patch release, Microsoft employed a feature called Known Issue Rollback (KIR). KIR acts as a safety net by automatically reversing problematic, non-security updates on enterprise-managed devices, minimizing downtime and disruption.

Patches and Updates

Microsoft released targeted fixes to address the bug:

  • Windows 10 (22H2): Fix included in the March 2025 non-security preview update KB5053643.
  • Windows 11 (22H2, 23H2): Fix delivered in the optional update KB5053657 in March 2025.
  • Windows 11 (24H2): A similar fix was scheduled for March 27, 2025, with assurance of inclusion in the broader April 2025 Patch Tuesday updates.

These updates corrected the print spooler's behavior to properly segregate IPP protocol data from printable content, ensuring USB printers print only the intended documents.

Enterprise Guidance

For enterprises still running problematic versions, Microsoft recommended applying specific Group Policy configurations to deploy the Known Issue Rollback more swiftly and manage the fix centrally.

Broader Implications and Lessons Learned

This incident exemplifies the complexities of managing updates for an ecosystem as broad as Windows. Updates designed to improve security and performance can inadvertently disrupt essential hardware integration, particularly when legacy and modern protocols intersect.

It underscores the importance for IT departments and users alike to:

  • Monitor update deployments rigorously.
  • Use phased rollout and testing for critical environments.
  • Maintain awareness of Microsoft's Known Issue Rollback mechanisms.

Conclusion

Microsoft’s 2025 printer issue revealed the challenges of balancing advanced protocol support with dependable hardware functionality. Through swift deployment of targeted fixes and rollback options, Microsoft restored printing reliability for affected USB printers.

Users are encouraged to keep their systems updated with the latest patches and consult Microsoft’s update health advisories regularly to avoid similar disruptions.