Special Offers

WINDOWS 11, the latest operating system from Microsoft, is, as expected causing problems for printers. Brother is now recommending printer users not upgrade to Windows 11 due to issues occurring with its inkjet and laser printers that cannot print while connected via USB. As a result, the OEM said it is now checking the compatibility with Windows 11 for all of the listed devices. Brother said the list would be regularly updated as and when results can be published.

Our take on this: When a new operating system, like Windows 11, is released, not every printer OEM keeps their drivers up to date, so a printer may or may not work. The focus is always on developing drivers for the new operating system, not updates for older operating systems. But it is not exclusive to Microsoft. Apples last OS, Big Sur, caused problems for some Lexmark printers.

Who is to blame? We could argue that the OS developer or the printer OEMs, or both are at fault. But it is more likely to be a case of “upgrader beware”.