Windows gets printer rename bug fix with update KB5034510

Microsoft releases optional update to resolve printer bug on Windows.

Windows 11 printer troubleshoot settings
Windows 11 printer troubleshoot settings / Image: Mauro Huculak
  • The update KB5034510 is a tool that restores the printer’s original settings and removes the HP Smart app.
  • The tool is available for Windows 11 and 10, and Microsoft confirms that an HP update wasn’t a problem.

Microsoft is making the update KB5034510 for Windows 11 and 10 available to resolve the issue of renaming printers to an HP product regardless of the manufacturer and installing the HP Smart app without the user’s consent.

On December 4, 2023, the company acknowledged a bug causing the installation of the HP Smart app automatically, printers getting renamed to “LaserJet M101-M106,” and opening the printer settings would show the “No tasks are available for this page” error.

After proactively investigating the issue, Microsoft has confirmed that an HP update didn’t cause the problem, and the Printer Metadata Remediation Tool (KB5034510), released on December 16, 2023, resolves the issue.

The update isn’t available through Windows Update. Instead, it’s an optional download that you must run manually to fix the problem on your Windows 11 or 10 device. After running the update KB5034510, the system should restore the printer metadata information, correct the error by opening the printer, and uninstall the HP Smart app.

Microsoft recommends downloading the tool and running it through “Command Prompt (admin)” using the “PrintMetadataTroubleshooterXXX.exe” command. The tool is available for x86, x64, Arm32, and Arm64 devices.

After running the tool, the command should return the “Troubleshooter completed successfully” message.

In the coming weeks, the company is expected to release a troubleshooter that will make it easier to resolve this issue through the “Settings” app.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].