If you’re a Windows 11 user and you’re having trouble with your printer’s more advanced features, Microsoft has bad news: you might have to wait — both your printer problems and the update to Windows 11 2022 Update (22H2).
Microsoft has placed a compatibility hold on certain PCs trying to upgrade to Windows 11 22H2. This is intended to prevent them from receiving the update before the issue is resolved, Microsoft says. (Thanks to Neowin for figuring this out.)
The scenario is something of a catch-22: certain printers may have problems communicating wirelessly with their host PCs and informing them of certain advanced features. In this case, Windows controls the printer with the Microsoft IPP Class Driver or Universal Print Class Driver, essentially a generic interface to allow the printer to print. Connectivity issues prevent the host PC from identifying more advanced features such as color printing, two-sided/duplex printing, and more, so these features do not work.
Unfortunately, the inability to print using advanced features can carry over to Windows 11 22H2, hence the wait. The problem is that Microsoft is taking a quick approach right now: if your PC printer uses an IPP class driver or a universal print class driver, it can’t be updated until Microsoft fixes the problem. Microsoft is trying to narrow down the solution to isolating printers that fit the constraints of the problem – generic drivers, inability to communicate, advanced features – but it’s not there yet.
If you are desperate to upgrade, you can remove the printer via the Windows Settings menu (Bluetooth and Devices > Printers and Scanners) and try upgrading to Windows 11 22H2.
The caveat: this may not happen right away. Windows 11 22H2 can only appear on Windows Update after 48 hours, which means you will be without the ability to print for up to two days. And no, downloading the update manually will not help: “We recommend that you do not attempt to update manually using theUpdate nowbutton or the media creation tool until this issue is resolved and the protection removed,” says Microsoft.
Updates always introduce new bugs, but this is annoying. You might have to make a run to your local copy shop to print any documents you need while Microsoft sorts it out.
