Microsoft recently rolled out a Windows update to fix the harmful 'PrintNightmare' vulnerability. While the update was effective in patching the issue, it also broke something else in the process.
PrintNightmare was revealed earlier this week as a particularly nasty issue for Windows machines. In short, a vulnerability with the Print Spooler software allowed hackers to gain remote access to computers. Once that access was established, they could install malicious applications and create admin accounts for more system-level control. Making this all the more troubling is that Print Spooler is used on virtually every Windows OS used today — including Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2012 R2, and more.
Microsoft issued the KB5004945 update on July 6 that resolved PrintNightmare, but unfortunately, the update created an entirely new issue. As first reported by The Verge, the update has resulted in computers no longer working with a variety of different printers. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue on its support site, saying, "After installing this update, you might have issues printing to certain printers. Most affected printers are receipt or label printers that connect via USB."
If someone happens to have a printer that's no longer working after installing the KB5004945 update, there are a couple of ways to fix the issue. If people need access to their printer right now, one option is to roll back the update and return to the previous Windows build before KB5004945. To do this, click the Start button, type 'recovery' in the search bar, and click 'Recovery options.' On the new page that appears, click 'Go back to Windows [Previous version number],' click 'Next,' and then click 'Go back to Windows [Previous version number].' Doing this will result in the PrintNightmare patch no longer being implemented, so keep that in mind before going back to the previous update.
The other option is to sit tight and wait for Microsoft to issue a follow-up update that fixes this new printer bug. Zebra (the printer company that seems to be most affected) told The Verge that a fix should be available in a couple of days. Per the company, "We are aware of a printing issue caused by the July 6 Windows 'KB5004945' update affecting multiple brands of printers. Microsoft has investigated this issue and plans to release an update addressing the issue within the next 1–2 business days."
For anyone that can make it a couple of days without their printer, the smartest move would be to stay on the current update and wait for the new one to arrive. A broken printer is certainly annoying, but being protected against PrintNightmare is arguably more important.
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