Microsoft has acknowledged a compatibility issue with its latest operating system, Windows 11 24H2, specifically concerning USB-connected devices that utilize the Scanner Communication Language (eSCL) protocol. As a precautionary measure, the company has implemented a compatibility hold on hardware that falls under this category.
Details of the Compatibility Hold
This hold effectively prevents any hardware connected to USB devices supporting the eSCL protocol from receiving an upgrade to Windows 11 24H2. Microsoft elaborated on the situation, stating, “This issue primarily affects USB-connected multifunction devices or standalone scanners that support scan functionality and the eSCL protocol.”
The core of the problem appears to be related to device discovery. Users who install Windows 11 24H2 may find that their systems fail to recognize USB-connected peripherals. In Microsoft’s own words, “You might observe that your device does not discover the USB-connected peripheral and the device discovery does not complete.”
Further investigation revealed that the issue stems from the device’s inability to switch from eSCL mode to USB mode, which is necessary for the appropriate scanner drivers to be matched. This limitation does not solely impact scanners; Microsoft has also indicated that any device utilizing the eSCL protocol—such as printers, modems, and even fax machines—will be affected by this safeguard.
While the prevalence of fax machines may seem like a relic of the past, the Windows Fax and Scan application remains a nostalgic feature, having persisted from the days of Vista into the current Windows 11 landscape. Interestingly, unless users are operating an Arm version of Windows 10 or 11, the likelihood of encountering fax machines may still be greater than the number of Windows on Arm users.
The eSCL protocol is derived from the Mopria eSCL specification, which facilitates driverless scanning over both network connections—such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi—and USB connections. The compatibility hold specifically pertains to upgrades via Windows Update. However, for those eager to experience the new features of Windows 11 24H2, it is possible to bypass this hold and manually install the update, albeit with caution. For the time being, Microsoft recommends that affected users wait for a resolution before proceeding with the upgrade.
