Microsoft has released out-of-band non-security updates to fix a known Windows 10 issue that causes blue screens when printed to network printers after the March 2021 cumulative updates were installed.
According to Microsoft, the cumulative updates released today ” address an issue that could cause a blue screen if you try to print to certain printers using some programs and cause the error, APC_INDEX_MISMATCH. ‘
The cumulative updates contained in the solution released today are published as optional updates, so they will not be installed automatically via Windows Update.
To install the updates manually, open Windows Update and “Check for Updates”. You can then directly click on a link to download and install the update or go to the ‘Optional Updates Available’ area and select it from the list.
The updates can also be downloaded manually from the Microsoft Catalog using the following links:
After this update is installed, 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
Print brands affected by this well-known edition include Kyocera, Ricoh and Dymo.
Microsoft has confirmed the known issue causing Windows 10 BSOD crashes after the BleepingComputer report on a wave of user complaints about system crashes during printing.
Since then, there has been a steady stream of complaints that printing has caused Windows 10 to crash with an “APC_INDEX_MISMATCH for win32kfull.sys” blue screen of the fatal crash.
Microsft says that this issue “affects a subset of type 3 printer drivers and does not affect type 4 printer drivers.” Use the steps available here to find the type of printer driver installed on your system.
Platforms affected by this issue include both Windows versions for clients and servers:
- Client: Windows 10, version 20H2; Windows 10, 2004 version; Windows 10, version 1909; Windows 10, version 1809; Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019; Windows 10, version 1803
- Server: Windows Server, version 20H2; Windows Server, 2004 version; Windows Server, version 1909; Windows Server, version 1809; Windows Server 2019; Windows Server, version 1803
The cumulative updates that blue screens from Windows 10 cause when you press are:
- KB5000802 for Windows 10 2004 / 20H2 and Windows Server 2004 / 20H2
- KB5000808 for Windows 10 1909 and Windows Server 1909
- KB5000822 for Windows 10 1809 and Windows Server 2019
- KB5000809 for Windows 10 1803 and Windows Server 1803
Those who cannot immediately install the cumulative updates outside of the band can apply a solution shared by Microsoft this weekend.