[Misc] Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

[sandmanmac]

Hey everyone.
I had a call today from a client that was suddenly unable to print, but everyone else in the office (3-4 people) were working, but then another call, and then another. They were all in small offices that only had 2 or 3 people and the issue was only affecting 1 person in each office at the time, but that's going to change soon, because I figured that it must be a windows update that was causing the issue, and so I came home and installed all available updates on my own system, and once my PC restarted, I was unable to print to either of my Ricoh Devices!

It seems to be isolated it to Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1909 (KB4560960), because when I uninstalled it, the printing function was restored.

I'm about to do some more experimenting, but I thought that I'd post here as a head's up, and to hopefully have some input from some of the real IT guys (which I'm not) as to a possible easier solution to provide my customers other than reinstalling drivers as I expect my phone to start going crazy in the next day or so - until MS rolls out a fix

I can add that all of the drivers affected happened to be PCL 5, and I when I reinstalled I decided to go with PCL6 (for no specific reason), so at this point I can't say whether or not it's limited to PCL5 only, but I'll figure that out shortly.

BTW......I know this probably belongs in the connectivity forum, but I'm basically exclusively dealing with Ricoh devices, and I'm not sure if it affects all makes or not. PLUS, I know this forum is filled with a ton of IT gurus

[Phil B.]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

Hey everyone.
I had a call today from a client that was suddenly unable to print, but everyone else in the office (3-4 people) were working, but then another call, and then another. They were all in small offices that only had 2 or 3 people and the issue was only affecting 1 person in each office at the time, but that's going to change soon, because I figured that it must be a windows update that was causing the issue, and so I came home and installed all available updates on my own system, and once my PC restarted, I was unable to print to either of my Ricoh Devices!

It seems to be isolated it to Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1909 (KB4560960), because when I uninstalled it, the printing function was restored.

I'm about to do some more experimenting, but I thought that I'd post here as a head's up, and to hopefully have some input from some of the real IT guys (which I'm not) as to a possible easier solution to provide my customers other than reinstalling drivers as I expect my phone to start going crazy in the next day or so - until MS rolls out a fix

I can add that all of the drivers affected happened to be PCL 5, and I when I reinstalled I decided to go with PCL6 (for no specific reason), so at this point I can't say whether or not it's limited to PCL5 only, but I'll figure that out shortly.

BTW......I know this probably belongs in the connectivity forum, but I'm basically exclusively dealing with Ricoh devices, and I'm not sure if it affects all makes or not. PLUS, I know this forum is filled with a ton of IT gurus

I believe there was another user with this issue.

Good Catch Brother!

[skinnyb]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

I'm not sure but I have had LOTS of issues with PCL 5 drivers and windows 10 especially printing from MS Office application. Finishing issues and speed (performance) issues. One of the things I do upon install of all Ricoh devices is to log into WIM (Web Image Monitor) and disable the WSD function (can't remember exactly which tab), this prevents the printer from showing up to Windows on the network as a WSD device and and then windows hijacking your print queue and installing its own driver and port. It's really aggravating how aggressive Windows has become in trying to "manage" non Windows devices to the point that they no longer function. Scanning is another that drives me crazy but that's another conversation...

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[Phil B.]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

I'm not sure but I have had LOTS of issues with PCL 5 drivers and windows 10 especially printing from MS Office application. Finishing issues and speed (performance) issues. One of the things I do upon install of all Ricoh devices is to log into WIM (Web Image Monitor) and disable the WSD function (can't remember exactly which tab), this prevents the printer from showing up to Windows on the network as a WSD device and and then windows hijacking your print queue and installing its own driver and port. It's really aggravating how aggressive Windows has become in trying to "manage" non Windows devices to the point that they no longer function. Scanning is another that drives me crazy but that's another conversation...

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

most newer devices work better with PCL6.

PCL5 is older.. but sometimes it DOES fix print problems.

[sandmanmac]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

I'm not sure but I have had LOTS of issues with PCL 5 drivers and windows 10 especially printing from MS Office application. Finishing issues and speed (performance) issues. One of the things I do upon install of all Ricoh devices is to log into WIM (Web Image Monitor) and disable the WSD function (can't remember exactly which tab), this prevents the printer from showing up to Windows on the network as a WSD device and and then windows hijacking your print queue and installing its own driver and port. It's really aggravating how aggressive Windows has become in trying to "manage" non Windows devices to the point that they no longer function. Scanning is another that drives me crazy but that's another conversation...
.
Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

I've been disabling WSD for years. It's the first thing I do when I pick up a used box.

Update:
I installed a PCL 6 driver as well as the universal PCl 6 driver , then I reinstalled the cumulative update, and determined that ONLY PCL 5 drivers are affected, and their is some strange behavior.
When just trying to print a Windows test page, any/all other dialog boxes that are opened on the screen are closed, and the task bar icons disappear briefly.
Check it out: https://1drv.ms/v/s!ApZHmO0NtfQGhZ5HyDsv2zSYAQp1BQ

I agree that I should probably be leaning more towards PCL6, and I generally have been recently, but I've got hundreds of users running PCL 5, and I often don't even bother updating drivers when they go from say an MP C3501 to a C3503, etc. Yeah, it's a shortcut, but I work alone, and time gets short, but I've never had an issue running an older PCL 5 or 6 driver on a newer box
Regardless of all that, this behavior shouldn't happen out of the blue. This is MS breaking something isn't it?

[Phil B.]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

I've been disabling WSD for years. It's the first thing I do when I pick up a used box.

Update:
I installed a PCL 6 driver as well as the universal PCl 6 driver , then I reinstalled the cumulative update, and determined that ONLY PCL 5 drivers are affected, and their is some strange behavior.
When just trying to print a Windows test page, any/all other dialog boxes that are opened on the screen are closed, and the task bar icons disappear briefly.
Check it out: https://1drv.ms/v/s!ApZHmO0NtfQGhZ5HyDsv2zSYAQp1BQ

I agree that I should probably be leaning more towards PCL6, and I generally have been recently, but I've got hundreds of users running PCL 5, and I often don't even bother updating drivers when they go from say an MP C3501 to a C3503, etc. Yeah, it's a shortcut, but I work alone, and time gets short, but I've never had an issue running an older PCL 5 or 6 driver on a newer box
Regardless of all that, this behavior shouldn't happen out of the blue.


This is MS breaking something isn't it?

Yes it is there is another thread pertaining to this.

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[fshead]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

Maybe Microsoft is trying to get us techs back to work with these conflicts..

after sitting off to the side for 3 months i say show me the money...

I had one account who owes me a lot of money from setting up 12 new pcs in feb
call and ask for free tech support over the phone..
i was conflicted and i would get back to them...

[slimslob]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

most newer devices work better with PCL6.

PCL5 is older.. but sometimes it DOES fix print problems.

My experience has been that there is a diminishing number of older software that require PCL5.

[slimslob]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

Maybe Microsoft found some exploit involving something in the PCL 5 driver.

[UNICORNico]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

In principle if it only affects "PCL 5" versions, it would make the change, and you're done.
The problem is that if Microsoft, with another patch, "fixes" this bug, who says that the other drivers cannot be affected?
I shouldn't, but there's a chance.


By the way, thank you for the detail of the WSD, I didn't know it, and I'm going to start putting it into practice with all the devices.

[sandmanmac]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

In principle if it only affects "PCL 5" versions, it would make the change, and you're done.

As I said, I must have hundreds of users using PCL 5, but that doesn't mean I know exactly which ones. They're all over the city, so I have to wait for them to call (2 more this morning so far).
And the issue is that I didn't create the problem- MS did, but now I'm responsible for explaining it and fixing it, and making very little or no $ for my efforts because they're mostly under contract, and it's a difficult line to walk (especially as an independent) because as far as they're concerned - their printer just doesn't work.

[UNICORNico]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

I'm responsible for explaining it and fixing it, and making very little or no $ for my efforts because they're mostly under contract, and it's a difficult line to walk (especially as an independent) because as far as they're concerned - their printer just doesn't work.

I understand you perfectly.
(Almost) All the customers, which the company I'm in, have, are contract maintenance.
I usually take advantage of any "silly" visit, for the small details and by the way I do a little "exposure". So the customer is more receptive to any adjustment or change that they have to make. Whether on computers or devices.
But with the truth: "It's a driver's update...", "It's a review we've been notified of...", but explained in a way that's a detail.

[Brianneoe]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

I ran into this 2 days ago on a 3352 series machine. Same 1909 version using the PCL5 driver. The error was "Printer Settings User Interface has stopped working" I downloaded the PCL6 driver and came up with the same error. Before I installed the PCL6 driver I deleted the PCL5 from the print system. I went to the Ricoh site and downloaded a PCL6 driver for a 3055 series machine and manual configured it to match the settings of the machine. All is working. I went to all the other workstations and just added the 3055 driver without deleting the original PCL5 driver. I believe the issue is with the old drivers. You did not state what model machine you were working on but the customer stated that her IT just did a update on all their computers. That stated..was the machine you were working on a newer model or something older like a 52 series machine?

[Phil B.]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

I ran into this 2 days ago on a 3352 series machine. Same 1909 version using the PCL5 driver. The error was "Printer Settings User Interface has stopped working" I downloaded the PCL6 driver and came up with the same error. Before I installed the PCL6 driver I deleted the PCL5 from the print system. I went to the Ricoh site and downloaded a PCL6 driver for a 3055 series machine and manual configured it to match the settings of the machine. All is working. I went to all the other workstations and just added the 3055 driver without deleting the original PCL5 driver. I believe the issue is with the old drivers. You did not state what model machine you were working on but the customer stated that her IT just did a update on all their computers. That stated..was the machine you were working on a newer model or something older like a 52 series machine?

Great info!
This seems to be a growing problem with WIN10 updates.
Ran into this day before yesterday.. on an oldasfuck HP COLOR ..
I switched to PCL6..rebooted everything sent a print job everything running sweet.
They called today with a cyan & yellow toners empty. Friends so I usually just run by.. stay and shoot da shit.. but was on a deck quote.. told them what to do.. they texted me back. Printing again and color has gotten better after they did color cali.
Got the deck job.. should make about $700 all said n done. 2day job.[emoji16]

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[sandmanmac]

Re: Windows Update Has blocked print cabability!

You did not state what model machine you were working on but the customer stated that her IT just did a update on all their computers. That stated..was the machine you were working on a newer model or something older like a 52 series machine?

I don't deal with the newest of new units, but it seems to be any/ every model where PCL 5e/5c is the driver as far as I can tell.
So far I've responded to calls on:
SP C431
MP 305+
MP301
MP C3003/3503/4503, etc.
MP2852/3352
MP4002/5002

Today was a very frustrating day to say the least, and I expect it to continue for some time as more and more users systems are updated.