Windows 11 beta update is making some printers spit out gibberish

Andyross

Microsoft’s own documentation states that the KB5050092 cumulative update for Windows 11 version 23H2 is causing some printers to “unexpectedly print random text and data, including network commands and unusual characters.” The printed gibberish often starts with the header “POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1,” followed by a jumble of nonsense.

https://www.techspot.com/news/107119-windows-11-update-making-printers-spit-out-gibberish.html

takeahike

Andyross

Yeah, I had a problem with this update but of a different nature. See here. Actually this update was not a beta or even a release preview but although was considered optional was a public offering that was offered on Windows Update as well as in the Microsoft Update Catalog on 1/29/25. The problem I reported on in my earlier post has not reoccurred with subsequent updates, including today’s Release Preview KB5053657 bringing Windows 11 23H2 to build 22631.5116.

real_aurgathor

Andyross

I actually have one such printer that could’ve been affected by this ‘bug’ – luckily, I’m not much into Win 11, and given all these mishaps, I’ll probably start actively using it once MS will no longer offer ‘feature’ updates for it. At that point with only security updates, there should be a somewhat lesser chance of seriously breaking something.

Thane_Bitter

I can’t believe how fucking broken windows 11 still is, it came with a PC I got in 2023 and even with the patches, upgrades, refreshes, and whatever the hell they want to call it, the OS is still very glitchy. Windows explorer develops a number of problems the longer its open (ie white bar, folder creation and management flakes out), even MS paint dialog boxes do not property accept input. Most of that is basic fucking core elements of the OS or programs so mature they should just work not fight with the user.

And now trying to just partition a disk using Disk Management causes that program to lock up (the OS still thinks its fine) while it sets windows Defender into some odd background scan.

No it’s not a virus, hardware or software issue, it’s another “feature” from microsoft in their broken out of the Box OS.

takeahike

Thane_Bitter

So, what else is new?

Thane_Bitter

It never was as good as a Ford, but the code corrosion and program feature lifespan is about the same. Apple was smart to roll with Unix and by keeping crappy hardware makers out of the equation was able to focus on better coding and allowing them to provide enhancements.

WIndows is this never ending renovation in which walls are wallpapered before drywall is installed, the level of insulation is spoty, and other issues but they will spend so much effort and time on decorating and keep changing it randomly to appear to be fresh.

Raspberry pi devices are cheap but not powerful, however if you needed an office machine that is work centric it might be the better choice now in that environment but of course its not as polished or as pretty as windows or Mac and requires people that do more than just turn it off and on again to clear bugs.

takeahike

Thane_Bitter

I spent 24 years in my retail computer sales and service business reformatting and reinstalling Windows systems from Windows 3.0 through Windows 7 so my clients could use them another six months before having to bring the unit in yet again to again attempt to fix Microsoft’s crap OSes. Closed and retired in 2014. This provided me with the opportunity to earn a living all that time that would not have existed if there was even a semblance of quality at any point.

telcodad

takeahike

Windows XP and 7 were the best versions that I have used, but my current experience with Windows 10 hasn’t been too bad.

My first PC came with “Windows for Workgroups 3.11” and later on I’ve used Windows 95, 98SE, ME, XP, 7, 8.1, and currently Windows 10 (I skipped “Vista”). I’m not planning on upgrading to Windows 11 for a while (I don’t think my current PC can).

When official support for Windows 10 ends on October 24th, I think I’ll just pay the $30 for the one-year Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. 🙁

takeahike

telcodad

I will say this much: Windows is better than it used to be, certainly with regard to stability (crashes), especially once all the new OSes were based on NT/2000, i.e., XP and those afterward. IMO with 10 and 11 (never used 8, 8.1) they pretty much reached the point of very seldom crashes, if any at all, that was certainly not the case with XP, Vista and 7 that blue screened with some regularity (IIRC 10 still had some of that that 11 has pretty much fixed fait accompli despite the general claim that 11 is nothing but a fancier lipstick version of 10). So what if it took 30+ years from 3.0 to 11–I mean, nobody’s perfect, right?😂 Another thing you can say in addition to the general idea that Windows sucks and always has and always will is that it is cheap (in more ways than one).

Thane_Bitter

takeahike The best windows update so far rips co-pilot out of the system. Another mistake in a long list of mistakes and screw ups by MS but it just shows if you screw up enough times your bound to do something right once in a while. Story on that: https://www.theverge.com/news/631053/microsoft-windows-11-update-uninstall-copilot

Somewhat-Reticent

takeahike Another thing you can say

… is that it accommodates a wide variety of hardware … pranks.
( i.e. variations from standards )

takeahike

Thane_Bitter

From Reingold beer commercials of the 1960s

antdude

It’s a beta. 😉

takeahike

antdude It’s a beta.

Was not a beta.

Astyanax

I’ve started using “Windows Protected Print Mode” in Win 11. Initially I was skeptical of it but it seems to be working fine with no issues. It’s not that hard to switch over to either.

https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-protected-print-mode-how-to-enable/

Dustyn

Astyanax Two of my printers are unfortunately not compatible with Windows Protected Print Mode. They are very old HP LaserJet printers, one color one mono. Enabling this feature would uninstall all 3rd party printing software and remove their associated drivers. Something you need to be careful about. From a security standpoint it is a nice feature to have, but only if you have a relatively modern printer/scanner that is compatible.

Astyanax

Dustyn

Dustyn Two of my printers are unfortunately not compatible with Windows Protected Print Mode. They are very old HP LaserJet printers, one color one mono.

Wow and I thought my 10+ year old Lexmark MS415dn I got from work was old and was quite surprised it was compatible. I know some of those dorm fridge-sized HP LaserJets from the 90s are still be going today. Just don’t be in a hurry to print if they have to “warm up” first. 😉

vabello

FYI - This problem was fixed in the March 25th preview updates.