In the wake of widespread reports of problems with Windows 10 PCs connected to USB printers, Microsoft said it would fix the issue.
“After installing KB4557957, certain printers may be unable to print,” a Microsoft support document explains. “Print spooler may error or close unexpectedly when attempting to print and no output will come from [the] affected printer. You might also encounter issues with the apps you are attempting to print from. You might receive an error from the app or the app may close unexpectedly … This issue might also affect software-based printers, for example[,] printing to PDF.”
Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!
"*" indicates required fields
KB4557957 is an update that Microsoft issued this past week as part of its monthly “Patch Tuesday” releases. Among its many fixes are “updates to improve security when using external devices … such as printers.” Since issuing this update, Microsoft has also updated its description to include the printing issues it causes. The problems appear to impact Windows 10 version 1903 or newer.
“Microsoft is working on a resolution and will provide an update when more information is available,” the support document adds.
dftf
<p>Does this only affect USB-connected printers, but not Wi-Fi, LAN or those hosted on a Print Server?</p><p><br></p><p>I've not seen any-other source say it's only USB, but they do say specifically it seems to mostly affect PCL5 drivers. Usually this would refer to print-servers or connecting directly to a printer over a LAN via IP as in those instances you'd install the driver manually. With USB or Wi-Fi, most are installed using the vendor's setup program.</p>
aaaabbb
<p>I had my first BSOD in over five years with 2004 last week. kernel security check failure which in this case had something to do with Edge chromium misbehaving if you can believe that.</p><p>For a system image that supposedly has been testing since december 2019 this is totally unacceptable. </p><p> </p>
dftf
<blockquote><em><a href="#546370">In reply to glenn8878:</a></em></blockquote><p>If a USB printer is attached to a server and that server PC is running Windows Server 2016 with the latest patches then this would cause the issue, yes, same as for Windows 10 clients.</p><p><br></p><p>Alternatively, there are some printers that, when you install them, create a virtual printer port that treats the printer like a USB one (I've seen many HP ones do this). Go into "Devices and Printers" in Control Panel, select any printer then click "Print Server Properties" on the toolbar and then check the "Ports" tab to see how your printer is listed there.</p>
dftf
<p>As a update for people: reading other news-sites covering this, it <em>does</em> <em>appear</em> only USB-connected printers are affected, with users saying if they shutdown or restart their PC with their USB printer connected and powered-on, the PC will not see the printer next boot-up, or it will see it, but prints silently fail, or error. As a workaround, unplug the printer (or at-least power it down) so the computer can't see it, before doing a restart or shutdown, then only plug it back in (or power it on) after you're logged back in. Some users report their printer then works fine.</p><p><br></p><p>If you find on your own PC that the printer works after a restart, but not after a shutdown, then try turning "Fast startup" off. Search the Start Menu for Control Panel and go into it, then go into "Power Options". In there click "Choose what the power buttons do" and under Shutdown settings, remove the tick from "Turn on fast startup" then click the Save Changes button. Restart after and see if this helps (if not, you can always turn it back on, and reboot again).</p>