[German]Microsoft has confirmed that there can be problems with USB printers under Windows 10 version 20H1 to 21H2. Either there is trouble with the printer configuration or it is not possible to print to a device. I had reported such problems after the July 2022 patchday. However, the cause of these problems is already the preview update KB5014666 from June 28, 2022, but also subsequent updates contain the bug. In a support post, Microsoft not only reveals details, but also suggests workarounds to fix it.
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1st Hints here within this blog
I had already reported on printing issues reported by readers in the blog post Windows: Printer issues after July 2022 patchday and fixes. All issues were related to local printers on the USB port.
Microsoft confirms issues
It was this comment from EP on the post Windows 10 Preview Update KB5014666 (June 28, 2022) that alerted me, that Microsoft has confirmed the issues with USB printers in the Windows 10 21H1 Health Status Dashboard. In the support article Printing to USB-connected printers might fail, Microsoft disclosed as of July 22, 2022, that reports of USB printer issues had become known. There are two error patterns here:
- Windows may display duplicate copies of printers installed on a device, usually with a similar name and the suffix "Copy1."
- Applications that refer to the printer with a specific name cannot print.
In both cases, the printer cannot be used for printing, printing fails. The cause of these problems is the preview update KB5014666 from June 28, 2022, but the error also occurs with the July 2022 updates, as they contain the fixes from the preview update. Affected are:
- Client: Windows 10 Version 21H2; Windows 10 Version 21H1 und Windows 10 Version 20H2
- Server: Windows Server Version 20H2
if update KB5014666 dated June 28, 2022 and/or update KB5015807 dated July 12, 2022 is installed. Microsoft is currently investigating the issue and is working on a fix that will be made available as an update in due course.
In the support post, Microsoft asks affected users to provide feedback via the Feedback Hub
Workaround for affected users
Microsoft suggests checking for duplicate printer entries via the Settings page under Bluetooth & Devices. If this is the case, and printing can be done via a printer port, the copy (usually with the name extension Copy1) can be deleted. Otherwise, Microsoft recommends updating the printer driver for the device.
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In the blog post Windows: Printer issues after July 2022 patchday and fixes there are more hints on error patterns as well as workarounds – in some scenarios it is sufficient to briefly unplug the printer via USB. In other cases, the checkmark for the option to use the USB printer output is missing.
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USB printer issues claim to have been "resolved" by the KB5016616 update as noted by Microsoft on Tue. August 9
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-10-21h2#2869msgdesc
Resolution: This issue was resolved in updates released August 9, 2022 ( KB5016616) and later. We recommend you install the latest security update for your device.