Microsoft has acknowledged issues affecting printing in Windows 11 24H2. The failures particularly concern PCs equipped with an Arm chip and those in the Copilot+ range.
The situation is worrying because the major update was supposed to mark a turning point for the new Arm PCs, however a basic functionality like printing poses difficulties for many users. While waiting for fixes, the giant is offering temporary solutions. Note that systems equipped with AMD and Intel processors are also impacted, although to a lesser extent.
Windows 24H2, can the essentials be a problem?
The launch of Windows 11 24H2 was aimed at highlighting the Copilot+ line of PCs and improving compatibility for Arm-based devices. However, since this update, many users are having problems installing and using their printers. These malfunctions affect several manufacturers, including HP, Canon and Brother. They result in difficulty installing drivers or keeping printers running.
Microsoft Support has confirmed that some Arm PCs cannot add or install printers, even using the provided installation tools or manufacturers’ sites. This contradicts previous announcements from the company, which still claimed support for “most printers” in June.
Workarounds.
In response, Microsoft recommends a few temporary solutions. If you are affected you can try connecting the printer via USB and adding a printer manually by accessing the Windows settings, via the following path
Bluetooth et appareils > Imprimantes et scanners > Ajouter une imprimante ou un scanner
Besides the addition of printers, other difficulties have been reported, including missing printing features, incompatibilities with printer sharing, and issues even with the HP Universal Intelligent Print Driver (SUPD).
This goes beyond Arm, as some users of AMD and Intel systems are also experiencing issues with their printers. There are reports of bugs in printer sharing, stuck print jobs, and even printing devices randomly disappearing.
While waiting for a definitive fix(s), users are advised to apply the proposed temporary solutions or consider postponing the upgrade to 24H2 if printing is an essential function.
