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Windows 11 22H2 is embroiled in a new bug controversy, with the major feature update causing problems with printers.
Microsoft has its . updated support document (opens in new tab) on known issues with 22H2 to explain more about a new bug, which means that some printers will be forced to go back to their default settings (such as neowin (opens in new tab) marked).
Affected printers are printers that use the Microsoft IPP Class Driver or Universal Print Class Driver and have connectivity issues with the device. In other words, without connectivity, the printer is set up with default settings – and once connectivity returns, the bug means the device can stay at those default settings.
That’s a shame, because in that case certain features might not work, such as double-sided printing, access to higher resolutions for printing and even color, leaving you stuck in a mono world.
Because of this error, Microsoft has blocked the Windows 11 22H2 update from PCs that use the above-mentioned printer drivers to ensure that people do not encounter this problem.
To upgrade to 22H2, you will need to remove the relevant printer(s) from your device and the compatibility lock will be lifted so you can proceed.
For those who are already stuck with a printer tied to the default settings with no apparent way around that, you will need to uninstall the printer and then reinstall it.
Microsoft says it is working on a fix for this issue and will provide us with an update in an upcoming release, so stay tuned for that.
Another recent printer problem (also noticed by neowin (opens in new tab)) caused by Windows 11 22H2 is that some network printers disappeared after the upgrade, thanks to a shaky printer policy introduced by the update. There is a workaround for this, as described on Twitter here (opens in new tab).
Analysis: Print nightmares continue for Microsoft
Microsoft has had a lot of trouble with printers running Windows 10 in the past, and it seems that unfortunately this is an ongoing theme with Windows 11. The fact that a few gremlins have appeared at the same time isn’t good, and companies that rely on their printer and are affected obviously won’t have much love for the new update.
They wouldn’t be the only ones either as we’ve seen some issues popping up with Windows 11 22H2. Think of the Nvidia GPU bug that frustrated gamers with choppy frame rates, and the thorny problem with Intel Rocket Lake CPUs that caused Blue Screen of Death locks.
All in all, there have been quite a few issues with 22H2, and given that Microsoft has had a long time to work on this particular update – giving up bi-annual upgrades in favor of an annual cadence – it doesn’t look great. .
Still, any major update to a complex system like an operating system is bound to have some bugs, and if you’ve run into problems recently, check out our in-depth guide on how to fix common problems with Windows 11.