Microsoft confirms Epson dot matrix printer issue after November 2017 patchday: here are fixes

Windows Update[German]Since Microsoft's November 14, 2017 update for Windows Epson dot matrix printers are no longer able to print. The print jobs end with "Win32 error code returned by the print processor: 2147500037". This affects all printer models under Windows 7 to 10. The problem is now confirmed by Microsoft and there are workarounds/fixes.


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I was alerted a few days ago by blog readers and I've addressed this issues within my blog post Issues with Microsoft's November 2017 Updates.

Microsoft confirms this issue

As part of my follow-up routine, I just did a web search about the topic and discovered that Microsoft has now confirmed the problem. In KB article KB4048955 for Windows 10 V1709 Microsoft confirms the issue.

After installing this update, some Epson SIDM and Dot Matrix printers cannot print on x86 and x64-based systems.

Microsoft wrote in a supplementary explanation that the cause was found together with Epson.

Microsoft and Epson have determined the cause of the issue and are working on a solution. This problem is not related to the printer driver, so installing current or older print drivers will not resolve the issue.
Microsoft will provide an update in an upcoming release.

It is interesting to note that according to the above text it should definitely not be related to the printer driver. The installation of the old printer driver should not solve the problem. The bad news is, that Microsoft won't give the fix a high priority, so many business users related to Epson dot matrix printers are facing a real problem. Therefore I propose some Workarounds.

Workaround #1: Uninstall and block the update

There is one workaround, that should bring the printer back in operation: Just open an administrative command prompt (using Run as administrator) and execute the following command:


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wusa /uninstall /kb:xxx /quiet /warnrestart

The characters xxx in the command are placeholders of the update's kb number (without the 'kb' letters). The options for the above command are described here. The affected updates are.

  • KB4048952 for Windows 10 Version 1511
  • KB4048953 for Windows 10 Version 1607 / Windows Server 2016
  • KB4048954 for Windows 10 Version 1703
  • KB4048955 for Windows 10 Version 1709
  • KB4048956 for Windows 10 Version 1507 (LTSc)
  • KB4048957 for Windows 7 und Windows Server 2008 R2
  • KB4048958 for Windows 8.1 /Windows Server 2012 R2
  • KB4048960 for Windows 7 SP1 und Windows Server 2008 R2
  • KB4048961 for Windows 8.1 /Windows Server 2012 R2

After uninstalling the update, it's necessary to block a re-install. In Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 this can be done in Windows Update window via context menu command Hide. In Windows 10 use the advices given within my blog post How to block Windows 10 updates.

Workaround #1: Try to re-install Microsoft's printer driver

Microsoft says in a KB article (see above), that the printer issue isn't related to the printer driver. But I found users writing, that re-installing the 'right' printer driver, should fix that issue. I can't test it, because I don't own a dot matrix printer anymore. Nevertheless try the following approach:

  1. Use a browser and go to Microsoft Update Catalog, then search for the appropriate printer driver. For an Epson LQ 680 it would be this search string.
  2. Download and install the printer driver that fits your Windows client.

Microsoft Update Catalog Epson Druckertreiber

Reboot your system and check, whether the Epson printer works again. If that helps, please left a comment – I can't test it here.

I got mixed feedback – whilst one user posted in a German forum, that he was able to fix his dot matrix printer issue with the above aproach, other users reported, that the Microsoft driver doesn't help. So, give it a try.

Another German blog reader wrote within a comment, that he used an Oki dot matrix printer driver for his Epson printer (obviously the driver is compatible). Whilst the Microsoft Epson printer driver didn't solved the issue, the Oki dot matrix printer driver brought the Epson printer back to operation.

And I got a really strange feedback from another German user. He has a Epson Stylus Color 880 printer that also refuses to print. Although the printer won't run, he is able to run the printer diagnostics to clean the ink outlet.

Similar Articles:
How to block Windows 10 updates
Issues with Microsoft's November 2017 Updates
Firmware Update blocks again non HP Printer Cartridges


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5 Responses to Microsoft confirms Epson dot matrix printer issue after November 2017 patchday: here are fixes

  1. Pingback: Microsoft confirms Epson Printer bug caused by November 2017 updates - gHacks Tech News

  2. L Lou says:

    I have an epson lq 590. I uninstalled the update on windows 10 and then disabled the automatic updates through the control panel and the printer now works. Here is the link on how to disable auto updates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-bmRe0VEeQ

  3. guenni says:

    Mentions the topic at Bleeping Computer

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  5. Oliver Brock says:

    I have an LQ690 dot matrix which also stopped working under Windows 10.
    Installing the OKI gemeric 24 dor matrix driver driver did indeed the trick without (!) uni stalling the whole update (which keeps coming back anyway after a while).
    Go ahead with that and let us know if it works.

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