Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

The latest Windows update is causing major printer problems

Fionna Agomuoh
By

Microsoft is now offering Windows 10 users a workaround for an issue that has come along with a mid-July update.

The KB5015807 update, which rolled out on July 12 and includes OS Builds 19042.1826, 19043.1826, and 19044.1826 all have a glitch that affects printers connected to computers running Windows 10. After the update is installed, you might see multiple printer listings available when you only have one product.

The Canon TS302 printer.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

OnMSFT noted that duplicate printer listings are showing up on computers either as several options of the same printer names or options, such as “Copy1,” making it challenging to know which printer is correct.

Recommended Videos

Microsoft’s changelogs associated with this update detail that the “normal printer usage might be interrupted, resulting in failure of printing operations.”

Related

The issue has also affected the Windows 10 KB5014666 preview update, which was released on June 28 and includes OS Builds 19042.1806, 19043.1806, and 19044.1806.

Microsoft says it is currently working on finding the root cause of this glitch and will soon provide a remedy update. Meanwhile, the workaround option for this glitch is essentially to have you manually find the rogue printers that were duplicated due to the update. OnMSFT said Microsoft didn’t give too many specifics on how to do this but did explain that you can find the printers in the Bluetooth and devices section in the Settings app.

The publication did however develop a trick for disabling the excess printers. Once in the Bluetooth and devices section, you can see if there are multiple printers and test each one by attempting to print something through the control panel.

Part of the glitch is that defective duplicate printers might be unable to print through printer apps in Windows 10, so printing tester pages within the control panel can help you identify and delete the non-functioning printers and hopefully find the correct printer. You can use the steps below to complete this workaround.

  • Open Control Panel by searching for it from the Start Menu
  • Change the view so you’re viewing by category
  • Under hardware and sound, choose view devices and printers
  • Right-click on your printers, and choose printer properties
  • Under the general tab of the printer, choose Print Test Page

Other potential workarounds include updating your printer drivers or uninstalling your printer. OnMSFT also suggests pausing Windows Update or uninstalling the update that caused the glitch.

Hopefully, Microsoft does make good on its promise to address this issue. The brand’s June security update was forced to address a serious zero-day vulnerability called Follina (CVE-2022-30190), which was not taken seriously at first and only given workaround suggestions when it first surfaced.

The security flaw originated within the Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT), which is associated with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Word. It was exploited several by hackers that targeted the Tibetan diaspora and U.S. and E.U. government agencies before Microsoft stepped in with a solid fix.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Fionna Agomuoh
Fionna Agomuoh
Computing Writer
Fionna Agomuoh is a technology journalist with over a decade of experience writing about various consumer electronics topics…
7 beloved Windows apps that Microsoft has killed over the years
A screenshot of Internet Explorer 9.

Microsoft's history is littered with the discontinuation of once-beloved applications. Most recently, WordPad, the renowned text editor app, was conspicuously absent from the latest beta build of Windows 11, indicating an end to its 28-year-long journey. I have fond memories of using the app back in my college days when Microsoft Office was too pricey for me.

WordPad is far from the only app to get canceled by Microsoft over the years. From pioneering productivity tools to nostalgic multimedia players, let's reminisce about some of the most famous applications that Microsoft has consigned to the annals of tech history.
Internet Explorer

Read more
How to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode
Windows 11 on a tablet.

If your Windows 11 PC is having issues, one way to troubleshoot those issues is start your PC in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is essentially a very basic version of Windows 11, without all the bells and whistles and only a restricted set of features, drivers, and files. This mode essentially lets you take a look at your computer and helps you figure out exactly what issue is plaguing your PC.

But booting into Safe Mode on Windows 11 isn't as easy as just pressing a single button. You'll need to navigate through a series of menus first and the method for getting there depends on your PC specific situation (Is your PC still working or is it just a blank or black screen?).

Read more
A beloved Windows app is being axed after 28 years
microsoft surface laptop go review wordpad

Microsoft is finally retiring WordPad, the venerable text editor that has been a staple in Windows operating systems since Windows 95. This decision comes as part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to refine its software lineup and focus on more advanced applications. It marks the end of a 28-year journey for WordPad.

As spotted by Tom’s Hardware, the recent Canary build of Windows 11 does not include WordPad as part of the default software package. Microsoft seems to be encouraging users to explore its more comprehensive Office suite, which includes applications like Microsoft Word for a more sophisticated word-processing experience. In Septemeber 2023, the company added the rich text application to its list of deprecated Windows features.

Read more