WTF?! If you’ve updated to a specific Windows 11 preview build, you might want to keep an eye on your printer. Microsoft has acknowledged a strange bug that can cause USB printers to unexpectedly come to life and begin printing random pages of gibberish.

Microsoft’s own documentation states that the KB5050092 cumulative update for Windows 11 version 23H2 is causing some printers to “unexpectedly print random text and data, including network commands and unusual characters.” The printed gibberish often starts with the header “POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1,” followed by a jumble of nonsense.

Microsoft adds that the issue tends to occur more frequently when a printer is powered on or reconnected after being unplugged.

It almost sounds fun and whimsical, until you realize it’s wasting your ink and paper. It’s certainly one of the stranger Windows bugs to surface over the years. Haunted printers? Just imagine: you’re working away at your desk when suddenly the printer whirs to life, making you jump. Scary stuff indeed.

Microsoft states that the issue specifically affects USB-connected dual-mode printers that support both USB Print and IPP Over USB protocols.

While the bug may seem like an isolated incident, the company is taking it seriously enough to document it on its Windows “Learn” website. It also provides instructions for using the “Known Issue Rollback” feature to remove the problematic update if your printer has been… “activated.”

The mitigation details that IT administrators can resolve the issue by installing and configuring a special Group Policy, which is available on the website. The policy can be found under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > [Group Policy name].

With Microsoft offering a mitigation, the bug’s status has been changed to “Mitigated.” However, the company notes that the final resolution will be included in a “future Windows update.”

Of course, this isn’t the first time Windows updates have caused printer issues. A Google search reveals reports of similar IPP printing problems spanning several years, with similar header texts making unwelcome appearances.

For those staying calm, if your printer suddenly goes rogue, you know what to do. But if you’re feeling adventurous, let it print its evil incantations and see what it has to say.

Image credit: Jakub Zerdzicki, Tima Miroshnickenko