Update: Microsoft now warns of additional issues when printing after installing the March updates.
Microsoft has released out-of-band non-security updates to fix a know Windows 10 issue causing blue screens when printing to network printers after installing the March 2021 cumulative updates.
According to Microsoft, the cumulative updates released today are addressing "an issue that might cause a blue screen when attempting to print to certain printers using some apps and might generate the error, APC_INDEX_MISMATCH."
The cumulative updates containing the fix released today are published as optional updates so they will not be installed automatically via Windows Update.
To install the updates manually, you have will have to open Windows Update and 'Check for updates.' You’ll then be able to directly click a link to download and install the update or go to the 'Optional updates available' area and pick it from the list.
The updates can also be downloaded manually from the Microsoft Catalog using the following links:
- KB5001567 for Win10 v2004/20H2
- KB5001566 for Win10 v1909
- KB5001568 for Win10 v1809 enterprise/education/LTSC 2019
- KB5001565 for Win10 v1803 enterprise/education
After installing this update, Windows 10, version 2004 will be updated to build 19041.868 and Windows 10, version 20H2 to build 19042.868.
Affected printers and Windows platforms
Printer brands impacted by this known issue include Kyocera, Ricoh, and Dymo.
Microsoft confirmed the known issue causing Windows 10 BSOD crashes after BleepingComputer's report on a wave of user complaints regarding system crashes when printing.
Since then, there has been a constant stream of complaints that printing is causing Windows 10 to crash with an "APC_INDEX_MISMATCH for win32kfull.sys" blue screen of death crash.
Microsft says that this issue "affects a subset of Type 3 printer drivers and does not affect printer drivers that are Type 4." To find the printer driver type installed on your system, use the steps available here.
Platforms affected by this issue include both client and server Windows versions:
- Client: Windows 10, version 20H2; Windows 10, version 2004; Windows 10, version 1909; Windows 10, version 1809; Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019; Windows 10, version 1803
- Server: Windows Server, version 20H2; Windows Server, version 2004; Windows Server, version 1909; Windows Server, version 1809; Windows Server 2019; Windows Server, version 1803
The cumulative updates causing Windows 10 blue screens when printing are:
- KB5000802 for Windows 10 2004/20H2 & Windows Server 2004/20H2
- KB5000808 for Windows 10 1909 & Windows Server 1909
- KB5000822 for Windows 10 1809 & Windows Server 2019
- KB5000809 for Windows 10 1803 & Windows Server 1803
Those who can't immediately install the out-of-band cumulative updates released today can apply a workaround shared by Microsoft over the weekend.
Comments
towerman - 3 years ago
Thanks for the article, but I've installed KB5001567 but it is still crashing.
I've uninstalled the bugged KB to make it work.
noelprg4 - 3 years ago
what version of Windows 10 are you running, towerman?
I manually installed the KB5001567 update on my Win10 v2004 & 20H2 systems from MS Update Catalog site and did not experience any BSOD crashes, even when printing something (and I use HP brand printers either thru local USB or wireless connection)
towerman - 3 years ago
Running the latest version of Windows 10 (20H2)
Everything is running except printing from Outlook :/
worknhere - 3 years ago
I installed KB5001567 released to fix KB5000802, NOPE didn't fix my "printing blank sections" using my Canon Pixma G2200. Spent hours yesterday finding it was the KB5000802 that caused it and now 10 minutes trying the "FIX". Now having to find some way to make Updates STOP. I might even uninstall the 20H2 update too while I'm at it. Really pissed that Microsoft can't get it together.
billwendel - 3 years ago
Guys! This patch isn't in regards to Canon or HP printers. This is specific to an update that caused blue screens when printing to Kyocera, Rico and Dymo printers. Your problems are related to something else entirely.
I used the new patch and it worked perfectly. I'm still having problems though with Dymo label printers that just no longer print after the update is applied. Even after removing the patch initially to stop the blue screens and after patching the patch to fix the blue screens. It see there's a printer but can't send a print job. I'd suspect hardware except it's happening on multiple machines that did the same update.
Ronaldo_Souza - 3 years ago
Thanks for the article!
I'd just like to say that this is *not* a network printer only problem. I've had several customers with local printers having all sorts of problems, from abruptly closing applications to crashes and all sorts of printing errors. In *all* cases, the issue was solved by uninstalling these bad updates.
Thanks for the *GREAT* job!
Best Regards,
Ronaldo Souza
Christianne101 - 3 years ago
The updates caused missing text and graphics during print jobs to local (usb) Zebra industrial label printers - various models. Once KB was uninstalled all printing normalized. Watch out for KB5000802, KB5000808, KB5000809 and KB5000822 depending on version of Windows 10.
MGK6795 - 3 years ago
So, does KB5001567 replace KB5000802 or just fix it? Do we still need to install KB5000802?
Thanks
serghei - 3 years ago
Microsoft just published an update to the Health Dashboard today warning of additional issues caused by the March updates: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-warns-of-more-printing-issues-caused-by-march-updates/
Therefore, like worknhere said below, it might be a better idea to just uninstall the March updates if you REALLY want to avoid experiencing the crashes and issues while printing.
BE AWARE THOUGH: you'll also remove patches addressing security issues!
worknhere - 3 years ago
it's my understanding that KB5001567 is just a fix for the BSOD's that some printer drivers (IE: Kyocera) have. I'm glad all it did was make some of my print jobs leave the middle blank when printing or even previewing. KB5001567 did not FIX my issues and UNINSTALLING the KB5000802 was the only FIX.
jennroach - 3 years ago
Sooooo, these KBs are the bane of my existence. We use a program called Laserfiche which is a document management application. It has a built in printer called Snapshot that allows users to take an electronic document and "snapshot" that into the repository. The original KBs broke that process where only the first page was correct, and each subsequent pages were repetitions of the bottom third of the first page. Our only solution was to uninstall the nefarious KB and pause updates on the affected computers.
Now today this new KB that is supposed to be a "fix" comes out, and guess what.. it breaks this Snapshot process again! Now I have to uninstall THAT KB, and pause updates, YET AGAIN!!!
This is getting really ridiculous.