Windows 11 Update KB5050092 Causes Printers to Print Protocol Data Instead of Documents

The Windows 11 update KB5050092 causes USB dual-mode printers to print unintended Internet Printing Protocol messages, producing baffling and wasteful output. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and offers a Known Issue Rollback workaround until a permanent fix is available.

Introduction

A recent Windows 11 update, KB5050092, released as a preview build for version 23H2, has caused a perplexing and widespread issue among users of USB-connected dual-mode printers. Instead of printing intended documents, affected printers are spewing out baffling lines of text comprised mainly of Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) commands and headers. This article explores the causes, technical background, implications, and solutions related to this peculiar printing bug.

Background and Context

Windows 11 updates, especially preview builds, are designed to introduce new features and fixes while offering IT professionals and early adopters a chance to test system compatibility. The KB5050092 update, rolled out toward the end of January 2025, is one such preview update primarily aimed at version 23H2 of Windows 11.

Dual-mode printers, which support both traditional USB printing and the more modern IPP over USB protocols, have been notably impacted. Normally, these printers receive data streams properly formatted to differentiate between printing commands and network protocol communications. However, post-update, the print spooler in Windows 11 misdirects IPP protocol messages as printable data, causing printers to physically print what should have been silent network protocol instructions.

Technical Details of the Bug

Affected Devices: USB-connected dual-mode printers supporting both USB Print and IPP over USB.
Trigger Conditions: The printing of protocol data predominantly occurs when printers are powered on or reconnected after being disconnected.
Error Manifestation: Instead of printing normal documents, printers output text starting with the notable header INLINECODE0 , followed by other IPP headers and network command strings.

How It Happens

The Windows printing subsystem relies on a print spooler to manage print jobs. The print spooler typically sends job data appropriately formatted to the printer drivers, which convert it into printable content. In this case, the KB5050092 update introduced a communication flaw where the print spooler inadvertently included raw IPP protocol messages in the stream sent to printers. This results in the printer interpreting these messages as printable text, leading to the unexpected gibberish output.

The complexity arises from the dual-mode nature of affected printers, which simultaneously manage networked IPP communications and direct USB printing. The update's side effect blurs this distinction, disrupting the expected data flow.

Implications and Impact

For Home Users

Confusion and frustration due to unexpected prints filled with indecipherable network commands.
Waste of ink or toner and paper from printing irrelevant protocol data instead of desired documents.

For Enterprises and IT Administrators

Significant disruption in office environments relying heavily on USB printers.
Increased operational costs and inefficiencies due to wasted consumables.
Potential security concerns if confidential documents are partially printed incorrectly.
The necessity to deploy Known Issue Rollback (KIR) or similar mitigations across fleets to restore normal functionality.

Microsoft’s Response and Workarounds

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and provided a temporary mitigation pathway using the Known Issue Rollback (KIR) mechanism. This rollback feature enables IT administrators to reverse the problematic changes introduced by KB5050092 on affected devices.

Steps to Mitigate the Issue

Confirm the installation of update KB5050092 on your Windows 11 system.
Deploy the KIR via Group Policy settings provided by Microsoft, which targets this specific printing bug.
Restart the system and reconnect the printer to ensure the rollback takes effect.
Monitor for additional updates from Microsoft for a permanent fix expected in future Windows updates.

While the rollback is a helpful stop-gap, users are advised to stay vigilant about future updates and to carefully evaluate preview updates before deploying them widely.

Conclusion

The KB5050092 glitch is a reminder of the delicate balance in operating system updates where even minor changes can unexpectedly affect peripheral device behaviors. This printer bug underscores the need for rigorous testing, comprehensive communication between hardware and software layers, and swift remediation pathways.

By understanding the technical underpinnings and applying Microsoft's Known Issue Rollback, users and IT professionals can navigate this strange episode and await a permanent fix.

Summary

Windows 11 update KB5050092 has caused dual-mode USB printers to print unintended IPP protocol messages instead of user documents. This bug affects Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2 and some Windows 10 builds, leading to wasted ink and printouts filled with network command lines. Microsoft has provided a Known Issue Rollback as a temporary fix while a permanent update is forthcoming.

Meta Description

Windows 11 update KB5050092 causes USB printers to print Internet Printing Protocol messages instead of pages; Microsoft offers rollback fix.

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Windows 11 Update KB5050092 Causes Printers to Print Protocol Data Instead of Documents

Table of Contents

Introduction

Background and Context