Summary

  • Users have reported that their printers are unexpectedly printing random text and IPP protocol headers instead of the intended document.
  • The bug primarily affects USB-connected dual-mode printers.
  • Microsoft has provided a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) through Group Policy, allowing system administrators to revert affected machines to a previous state.

In a curious twist of fate, many users have found themselves grappling with a perplexing printing issue. After attempting to print important documents, they were met with a barrage of random text and technical jargon rather than the expected content. If you’ve been in this situation, you might have initially pointed fingers at your printer, only to find that the real culprit lies within a recent Windows 11 preview update.

Microsoft’s K5050092 update is to blame

Released on January 29, 2025, Microsoft’s K5050092 update has been identified as the source of this printing conundrum. The tech giant has acknowledged via the Windows Health Dashboard that users may encounter issues with USB-connected dual-mode printers following the installation of this non-security preview update. The problem manifests itself through erratic behavior, where printers output a mix of gibberish and technical headers, often beginning with “POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1“.

This glitch appears most frequently when printers are powered on or reconnected to a Windows PC after a period of disconnection. The impact is felt across various versions, including Windows 11 version 23H2, version 22H2, and Windows 10 22H2.

Interestingly, some users have reported that the issue extends beyond USB connections. One individual shared on Microsoft’s help forum that their printer began producing gibberish even during wireless printing attempts. After consulting with HP, they were informed that the problem originated from their computer rather than the printer itself, a conclusion they reached after successfully printing from another device. Another user suggested switching to a USB connection to eliminate any Wi-Fi-related concerns, yet the problem persisted, hinting at a broader scope of impact.

A fix is on the way, but you’ll have to wait

The situation is further complicated by the fact that a definitive fix is not yet available. Microsoft has introduced a temporary workaround for IT administrators through a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) via Group Policy configuration. This allows affected Windows machines to revert to a previous state, effectively disabling the troublesome change.

While this solution may be accessible to advanced users on Windows Pro, it remains less than ideal for the average consumer. Microsoft has assured users that they are diligently working towards a permanent resolution, which is expected to be rolled out in a future Windows update.