Microsoft warns Windows 10 patch broke printing for some

Stop us if you'd heard this one before...

Microsoft's torrid time with patches is continuing after the company admitted that printing might once again be broken in Windows 10 for some users following the application of an update.

At fault is the latest patch Tuesday emission, KB5015807, and its preview, KB5014666. Both updates affect Windows 10 and Windows Server 20H2.

With Windows Server going out of service on August 9, 2022, it is heartening to see Microsoft going out on a high with yet more printer heartache.

The workaround is relatively straightforward - check the settings app and look for a duplicated printer. If it's there and it works, then other copies of the printer can be removed and this used instead...

As for the print problem itself, Microsoft quietly added it to the list of known issues for the updates: "Microsoft has received reports of issues affecting some printing devices following installation of this update. Symptoms observed may include duplicate copies of printers installed on a device (commonly with a similar name and the suffix "Copy1"), and applications which refer to the printer by a specific name cannot print."

"Normal printer usage might be interrupted, resulting in failure of printing operations."

It's not a great look, although the workaround is relatively straightforward - check the settings app and look for a duplicated printer. If it's there and it works, then other copies of the printer can be removed and this used instead. If printing remains broken "uninstalling and reinstalling your printer should solve the issue."

It has taken Microsoft a while to update its known issues list with the latest one. Reddit users noted printer problems shortly after the update dropped, as USB assignments were mysteriously revoked. For many, a simple printer reinstall did the trick, but others were forced to remove the update in order to restore functionality.

Not mentioned in Microsoft's missive were USB scanners, which also appear to be a problem for some users who say certain USB printer port assignments are not working.

Printing and Windows have not been happy bedfellows of late. PrintNightmare aside, Microsoft has had somewhat of a habit in recent years of breaking printer functionality in its updates.

The company said of the latest issue: "We are presently investigating a resolution and will provide an update when more information is available." ®