Microsoft acknowledges printer issues blocking Window 11 2022 Update

It may only be a little over a week since Microsoft released Windows 11 2022 Update, but the problems it is causing are coming thick and fast.

The most recent issue involves printer drivers, and it has caused the company to place a compatibility block on some people upgrading to the latest version of Windows 11. The good news is that there is a relatively simple workaround in the meantime.

See also:

• Microsoft is blocking Windows 11 2022 Update because of blue screen issues
• Whoopsie daisy! Microsoft accidentally released the Windows 11 KB5017383 update to WSUS
• Microsoft releases out-of-band KB5019311 update for Windows 11

In a posting the release health pages for Windows 11, the company says: "Microsoft has found an issue when an installed printer uses Microsoft IPP Class Driver or Universal Print Class Driver and is installed on a Windows device with connectivity issues to the printer. Windows needs connectivity to the printer to identify all the features of the printer. Without connectivity, the printer is set up with default settings and in some scenarios might not get updated once connectivity to the printer is restored. You might be affected by this issue if your printer is unable to use printer specific features such as color, two-sided/duplex printing, paper size or type settings, or resolutions higher than 300x300dpi. Currently, installed printers in this state will carry this issue forward when upgraded to Windows 11, version 22H2". 

As with the recent NVDIA issues, Microsoft has applied a compatibility hold on devices with such printers. This means that until the devices are removed, it will not be possible to upgrade to Windows 11 2022 Update.

Microsoft explains:

To mitigate the safeguard and allow your Windows device to upgrade to Windows 11, version 22H2, you can remove any printers using Microsoft IPP Class Driver or Universal Print Class Driver which you have installed. Once you have removed any affected installed printers, you should be able to upgrade to Windows 11, version 22H2. Please note, if there are no other safeguards that affect your device, it can take up to 48 hours before the upgrade to Windows 11 is offered. Restarting your device and checking for updates might help it to offer sooner. 

If you have an installed printer which only allows default settings, you can mitigate this issue by removing and reinstalling the printer. For instructions, please see Download printer drivers in Windows. 

The company says that it is working on a proper fix and that this will be released in due course.