It seems one of the security patches in the latest Windows Update has stopped printers working for some users on Windows 10.
As The Register reports(Opens in a new window), the problem stems from update KB5015807(Opens in a new window) (released on July 12), which is simply classed as addressing "security issues for your Windows operating system." Microsoft made it available for all editions of Windows 10 21H1 and 21H2, as well as Windows Server 20H2 and Enterprise editions.
While it may fix a number of security bugs, the update is also preventing printers from working properly. Microsoft acknowledges this, stating it has "received reports of issues affecting some printing devices following installation of this update." The knock-on effect is impacted Windows 10 users can't print anymore.
Thankfully, the fix is relatively simple. First of all, navigate to Settings > Devices and check the "Bluetooth & other devices" section. Multiple copies of your printer may be present and it's just a case of checking which one works before deleting the other copies.
If that doesn't work, Microsoft tells you to update the printer driver for your PC, or to be even more thorough, uninstall and then reinstall the printer. After that, printing should be back to normal. Hopefully the duplicate printer deletion option works so you don't have to go through the frustration of a printer reinstall.
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