[Fix] Windows Update

Microsoft has a known and long history of releasing buggy updates. The same is the case with the KB5000802 update and a bug in the update is causing the BSOD (blue screen of death) issue.

The issue arises (after applying the KB5000802 update) when a user tries to print a document but faces a BSOD with the following type of message:

APC_INDEX_MISMATCH for win32kfull.sys

Windows Update – KB5000802 Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

The BSOD problem is not limited to a particular manufacturer of printers, even some users reported that the BSOD occurred even while using a soft printer (like Microsoft Print to PDF ).

Solution 1: Install the Out-of-Band Update

Microsoft continuously received complaints of the BSOD caused by the KB5000802 update. So, the Redmond giant released the out-of-band update. In this case, installing Microsoft’s hotfix may solve the problem. The said update is said to be having failed when applied through the Windows Update channel in the Settings.

1. Launch a web browser and steer to the Windows Update Catalogue website .
2. Now, in the search box, search for the update as per your OS version as described below: Windows 10/Server Version 20H2, search for KB5001567 Windows 10/Server Version 2004, search for KB5001567 Windows 10/Server Version 1909, search for KB5001566 Windows 10/Server Version 1809, search for KB5001568 Windows 10 Version 1803, search for KB5001565
3. For example, if you are using Windows 10 version 20H2 , search for KB5001567 and then download the mentioned update. Search and Download the KB5001567 Update from the Update Catalog Website
4. Then, launch the downloaded update as an administrator and follow the prompts to complete the process.
5. Now reboot your PC and check if the BSOD issue is resolved.

Solution 2: Reinstall the Printer Driver and Configure the Printer Port

The BSOD issue may arise if the printer driver of your system is corrupt or incompatible with the KB5000802 update. In this case, reinstalling the printer driver may solve the problem.

1. Firstly, disconnect your PC from the printer (if attached directly) and then download the latest driver for your printer from the OEM website.
2. Then right-click on the Start menu (or Windows ) button and in the Quick Access menu, select Device Manager . Open Device Manager of Your System
3. Now expand the Printers option and right-click on your printer .
4. Then choose Uninstall Device and in the resulting window, checkmark the option of Delete the Driver Software of This Device . Uninstall the Printer from the Device Manager and Delete its Driver
5. Now click on the Uninstall button and let the printer uninstallation complete.
6. Then reboot your PC (if your printer came with a printer software, remove that as well in the Apps & Features Settings) and reinstall the printer driver to check if printing is causing the BSOD issue.
7. If the issue persists, then uninstall the printer driver, reboot your system and install a PCL 6 driver of your printer (certain features of your printer might not work with a PCL6 driver) to check if the BSOD issue is resolved.

If the issue persists, then most probably the printer port in the Windows Settings is not properly configured and properly configuring it may solve the problem.

1. Press the Windows key and in the search box, type: Print Management. Then open Print Management . Open Print Management
2. Now, in the left pane, expand Print Servers and select your system .
3. Then spread the option of Printers and in the right pane, double-click on the problematic printer . Open Your Printer in the Print Management Console
4. Now, steer to the Ports tab and check if the printer port is properly configured (you may visit the OEM website to find out the proper port configuration of your printer). For example, if you are using a network printer and its port changed to IPP (Internet Printing Protocol, the Windows default port for the Internet), then changing it to TCP/IP may solve the problem. Select the Proper Port of Your Printer
5. If the port is misconfigured, then add/change the port as per the documentation/manual of the OEM and then check if the BSOD issue while printing is resolved.

If the Print Management option is not available at step 1, then you may add it in Settings >Apps >Optional Features >Add a Feature > search and add Print Management Console .

Install the Print Management Console Feature

Solution 3: Uninstall the KB5000802 Update

The issue is reported to be caused by a bug in the KB5000802 update and none of the above-mentioned solutions did the trick for you, then there is no choice left but to remove the buggy KB5000802 update. .

1. Press the Windows key and open Settings .
2. Now select Update & Security and in the right pane, open View Update History . View Update History of Your System
3. Then click on the Uninstall Updates and select the KB5000802 update. Open Uninstall Updates
4. Now click on Uninstall and then let the update uninstallation complete. Uninstall the KB5000802 Update
5. Then reboot your PC and check if the system is clear of the BSOD error.

If the Update is shown in the Quality Updates but cannot be uninstalled through the above-method.

The KB5000802 Update Shown in the Quality Updates but Missing in the Uninstall Updates Panel

Then, you may use the Command Prompt to uninstall the update:

1. Press the Windows key and in the search bar, type: Command Prompt. Now, in the results list, right-click on the result of the Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator . You can try the same in the PowerShell (Admin). Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Now, execute the following: wusa /uninstall /kb:5000802 Uninstall the KB5000802 Update Through the Command Prompt
3. Now, allow the uninstallation of the update and then reboot your PC.
4. Upon reboot, check if the BSOD issue is resolved.

Once the update is removed, you may defer the KB8000502 update . Also, make sure the Delivery Optimization in the Update & Security settings is disabled, so, that the update could not be fetched from the other PCs.

If the issue persists, you may try to restore your system to a previous date (before the update hit your system) and then block the particular update.

How to Fix “Printer is in an error state” Issue?

Microsoft Print to PDF is a built-in tool in Windows that lets you turn documents into PDF files by “printing” them, rather than saving them in their original format. This way of making PDFs often leads to bigger file sizes and might not keep things like clickable links or text you can highlight, because it just creates an image of your document.

Some users find it hard to get Microsoft Print to PDF back after accidentally removing it, since it doesn’t always show up in the usual printer list or Windows Features. People also notice that PDFs made with this tool can be much larger than those made with other free programs like CutePDF, which do a better job of shrinking file size.

1. Open the document you want to convert. Click the File tab (highlighted in blue) at the top left corner of the screen.

1. A new menu will appear. Click on the Print option from the left sidebar, select the printer called “ Microsoft Print to PDF ” from the drop-down menu, and then click Print .

1. Windows will now prompt you to choose a file location to save the new PDF. Enter a name for the file, choose where you want to save it, and then click Save .

1. Go to the folder where you saved the file. Your document will now be available in PDF format.

Removing Microsoft Print to PDF Printer

Sometimes, you might want to remove Microsoft Print to PDF from your printers list. This could be because you have many printers installed and want to avoid confusion, or you simply don’t use this feature. There are a few easy ways to remove it, and these methods work for all users.

1. Use Settings

You can quickly remove the printer using Windows Settings. This is perfect if you prefer not to use the command line or PowerShell.

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar on your Start menu. Type “ Settings ” and press Enter. Click on the first result that appears.
2. Click on Devices from the top left menu.

1. Choose “ Printers and scanners ” from the left sidebar.

1. Under the Printers and scanners section, find “Microsoft Print to PDF.” Click on it once, then click “ Remove device ”.

1. A confirmation box will appear. Click Yes to confirm. Microsoft Print to PDF will be removed from your list of printers.

2. Remove through Control Panel

You can also remove the printer from the Control Panel. This method is straightforward and quick.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “ control panel ” and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
2. Click on Hardware and Sound from the available options.

1. Next, select Devices and Printers at the top of the list.

1. Find “ Microsoft Print to PDF ” under the Printers section. Right-click on it and choose Remove device .

1. Confirm your choice by clicking Yes when prompted.

3. Use Command Prompt

You can remove the printer faster by using Command Prompt. This is the quickest way, especially if you are comfortable with basic commands. You’ll need to open Command Prompt as an administrator.

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar. Type “ command prompt ”, right-click the result, and select “ Run as administrator ”.

1. Type the following command and press Enter to remove Microsoft Print to PDF from your printers list:

4. Use PowerShell

You can also remove the printer using PowerShell—a more advanced tool, but still very easy to use for this task.

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar. Type “ PowerShell ”, right-click the result, and choose “ Run as administrator ”.

1. In PowerShell, copy and paste the following command, then press Enter:

Remove-Printer -Name “Microsoft Print to PDF”

1. This will automatically remove Microsoft Print to PDF from your system.

Adding the “Microsoft Print to PDF” Printer Back

If you removed Microsoft Print to PDF by mistake, or if you want to add it again for any reason, you can do so easily by following these steps:

1. Before adding the printer, make sure the feature is enabled in Windows Features. Press Windows + S to open the search bar, type “ features ”, and open the first result that appears.

1. Check that “ Microsoft Print to PDF ” is enabled (it should have a checkmark).

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar. Type “ Settings ” and press Enter, then select the first result.
2. Click on Devices from the left sidebar.
3. Click on “ Printers and scanners ” on the left side.

1. Click on “ Add a printer or scanner ” at the top of the window.

1. Windows will search for printers. When “ The printer that I want isn’t listed ” appears, click on it.

1. Check “ Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings ” and click Next.

1. Choose “ Use an existing port ”. From the drop-down list, select “ PORTPROMPT: (Local Port) ”, and then click Next.

1. Select Microsoft from the left panel, then find and select “ Microsoft Print to PDF ” on the right. Click Next.

1. Choose “ Use the driver that is currently installed (recommended) ” and click Next.

1. Keep the default printer name and click Next .

1. Windows will now install the printer. Once done, it will notify you. Click Finish to exit the setup and confirm the printer has been added.

The Printer driver is unavailable error indicates that the driver installed for your printer is incompatible, outdated, or corrupted. As a result, the computer is unable to recognize it.

When the computer cannot recognize or interact with the printer driver, you are prevented from printing. Fortunately, this common issue in the printing world is often resolvable with a few adjustments. Explore the solutions below to fix the problem.

1. Run the Printer Troubleshooter

Windows Printer troubleshooter goes through your system, identifies any issues with the printer’s connectivity or configuration, and attempts to automatically fix them. It’s an optimized solution that can resolve the issue without requiring extensive technical knowledge from the user. By simply running the troubleshooter, you set in motion a process that could bring your printer back to operational status in no time.

1. Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot .
2. Click on Additional troubleshooters and then select Printer .
3. Choose to Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Make Sure the Print Spooler Service Is Running

Print Spooler service is an essential background process that manages the print queue and interfaces with your printer. If it’s stopped, your print jobs won’t be processed. Making sure that the Print Spooler is active and running smoothly can restore this critical link, allowing your pending documents to reach the printer once again.

1. Press Windows + R , type services.msc , and hit Enter.
2. Find and right-click Print Spooler , then choose Restart . If the service is not running, select Start .

3. Verify the Correct Printer Is Set as Default

When the wrong device is set as default, documents sent for printing may go to a different printer or not print at all. By making sure the right printer is set as default, you align the print jobs with the intended device, effectively clearing a common issue that could be mistaken for a driver issue.

1. Open the Control Panel and navigate to Hardware and Sound.
2. Go to Devices and Printers .
3. Right-click on the intended printer and select Set as default printer .

4. Download Drivers from the Manufacturer’s Website

When original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) release new drivers, they make sure the software is optimized to facilitate smooth communication between your system and the printer. By hand-picking the most recent drivers released for your exact printer model and operating system, you not only guarantee compatibility but also get potential enhancements and critical fixes that resolve known issues.

1. Visit your printer manufacturer’s official website.
2. Locate the Support or Downloads area.
3. Use the site’s search function or navigation tools to find the appropriate drivers for your printer model and operating system.
4. Download the driver that is compatible with your printer.
5. Run the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

By sourcing drivers directly from the manufacturer, you reduce the likelihood of encountering compatibility issues that can occur from using incorrect drivers.

If you are unable to locate the correct drivers, you might consider using a driver updater tool for automated updates. Here are the 5 best driver updater programs for Windows .

5. Uninstall the Printer Driver

Uninstalling the printer driver removes any existing software conflicts or corruption that might be blocking communication between your printer and computer. By reinstalling, you make sure that the most compatible and up-to-date drivers are in place, which can often resolve the issue and restore your printer’s functionality.

1. Press Windows + R, enter control into the dialogue box, and hit Enter. Make sure the Control Panel is set to View by: Large icons , then click Devices and Printers .

2. Right-click on the problematic printer and choose Remove device .

3. Reopen the Run box with Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, and go to Print queues . If your printer is displayed, right-click it and select Uninstall device .

4. Type appwiz.cpl after pressing Windows + R and hit Enter. Uninstall any software related to your printer.

5. Detach your printer from your computer or router, shut everything down, and unplug their power cords.

6. After about 10 minutes, reconnect and power up all devices. Initially, link the printer to your computer via USB to allow automatic driver installation.

7. In the Control Panel, right-click on the printer and select Set as default printer . Test the printer to determine if the issue has been fixed.

6. Install the Latest Drivers Manually

If reinstalling the printer does not solve the problem, you might need to update the drivers manually. For example, following a Windows update, printer functionality might be disrupted; this was notably the case with some HP printers. To prevent such issues, download the specific drivers for your hardware from the manufacturer’s site and disable Windows from updating drivers automatically.

1. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows + R and typing devmgmt.msc .

2. Navigate to Print queues , right-click on your printer, and select Update driver .

3. Choose Browse my computer for driver software when prompted about how to update your driver.

4. Select the downloaded driver file using the browse feature to update it accordingly. Note: If your printer doesn’t appear in Device Manager, run the driver installer you’ve downloaded for automatic installation.

5. After confirming the printer is functional, download wushowhide.diagcab from the official Microsoft website.

6. Run the package and click Next .

7. Choose Hide updates .

8. Select any shown printer updates and continue. This action prevents Windows Update from automatically updating your printer’s drivers unless you approve it.

7. Install Generic Printer Driver

If previous methods have failed and your printer is undetected by your computer or appears as an “Unknown device” , you might need to install a default generic printer driver manually.

These universal drivers are designed to work with a wide range of printers and provide basic printing capabilities. Although they may not enable all the advanced features of your device, they ensure that your printer is operational and can perform the basic tasks, thereby allowing you to continue printing while you seek a more permanent fix or support from the manufacturer.

1. Press the Windows key and hold it, then press X . Choose Device Manager .

2. In Device Manager , locate your printer. If you cannot find it there, check under Unknown Devices . Locating your Printer

3. Right-click on your printer and choose Update Driver .

4. Select the Browse my computer for drivers option. Installing Default Driver

5. Choose Let me pick from a list of available drivers…. and then select Generic Software Device .

6. Click Next and restart your computer. Be aware that this generic driver may not support all the functionalities of your printer, but it will enable basic operation. Installing Generic Driver

8. Contact Manufacturer Support

Manufacturer support teams have specialized knowledge and access to advanced troubleshooting techniques that might not be available to the general public. By contacting them, you might receive personalized guidance, firmware updates, or even learn about known issues with specific drivers.

In some cases, they might offer remote assistance or direct you to a service center if a hardware issue is suspected.