Printing from RDP Session not working after Update to Sonoma

Hello

I'm going to try and reproduce that on my side; but first I want to ask if the same issue occurs if you use the Microsoft RDP client (i.e. switch the connection to "External" mode or manually connect using Microsoft Remote Desktop.app)?

Further, what brand and model of printer are you using?

Please let me know if something isn't clear or you have questions

Kind regards,

Hi Richard,
no problem at all. I can confirm that after upgrading to the most recent version of MS RDP it works again. They even mention it in their release notes:
"Printer redirection has been broken when connecting from macOS Sonoma due to the removal of PostScript support. This release fixes printer redirection for connections from macOS Sonoma to Windows 10 or later."
https://install.appcenter.ms/orgs/rdmacios-k2vy/apps/microsoft-remote-desktop-for-mac/distribution_groups/all-users-of-microsoft-remote-desktop-for-mac

As for the printer, I am using my small home printer which is an HP DeskJet 2630. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Gary

Hello again

First, I did manage to reproduce this problem. It does seem related to the changes in macOS Sonoma (specifically, Apple seems to have removed support for PostScript from the OS).

At this point I'm not sure how this ties into the RDP printer stack used in RDM, but I'm looking into it.

I note the Microsoft's fix unblocks support on Windows 10 or later, but if you have Sonoma even with the MS RDP client you won't be able to print from OS older than Windows 10. Can I check what version of Windows you are connecting to (just to set reasonable expectations - it's unlikely that we'll be able to do any better than Microsoft in this regard)?

In the meantime, I'm afraid the only workarounds I can suggest are:

• Use the MS RDP client (switch your connection to "External" mode) when you need to print
• Print to PDF on the remote machine, transfer the PDF to your Mac and print from there

I appreciate your patience on this

Kind regards,

Hi Richard,
thank you very much for the update and for the suggested workarounds. To answer your other question, I have been using Windows 10 and Windows 2019 Server and I fully understand if older operating systems won't be supportable as with the new version of MS RDP.
Thanks!
Gary

Hello

I've spent some time on this issue yesterday. We were, by default, using the MS Imagesetter print driver for redirected printers on Windows - this outputs postscript and gives maximum compatibility (postscript is - or at least, was - well understood by every major OS).

I've looked at what MS RDP does and it seems with the update, they switch to using the MS "Print to PDF" driver; this outputs PDF and is well understood by macOS. However that driver is only available on Windows 10+, which is why they don't support printer redirection to older servers under Sonoma anymore.

I can make the same change on our side - I tested it and it works well. It will require some changes in the application so I'm afraid I can't give you a further workaround on the current RDM version. I'm opening a ticket to track this on our side so you'll be notified once the fix is available, I don't have a timeframe but I'd expect it can be in an upcoming release.

In the meantime, please don't hesitate to post back if you have further questions or comments.

Kind regards,

Hello

A small update; I've submitted a fix to the RDM Mac team and, all being well, that should be available in the next release. Redirecting printers from macOS Sonoma should work again for Windows 10+ servers.

In the meantime, please do let me know if you have further questions or comments.

Kind regards,

Hi Richard,
that is great news! Thank you very much for everything.
Gary

Hello

I wanted to let you know that RDM Mac 2023.3.10.2 is available, and should have a fix for this specific issue.

I welcome your feedback on that once you've had chance to update.

Please don't hesitate to post with further questions or comments.

Kind regards,

Hello,

I'm using Macbook Air with OS Sonoma 14.2.
I'm making connecting with Terminal Server 2022 R2 with Remote Desktop program version 10.9.5 (2174).
I can print remotely but only portrait.
When I want to print landscape it print but only portrait.

I' m working from home. Login into Terminal Server with Windows Server 2022 R2.
Open M365 Word. I want to print the text landscape at the printer at home (so Remote printer) but the text is printed portrait.

Does anyone have a solution for me that I can print landscape ?

Many thanks.

Hello

I'm sorry to hear your having trouble.

with Remote Desktop program version 10.9.5 (2174).

That's the MS RDP version; how are you launching your RDP connection? Is it "External" (i.e. the session opens in the Microsoft RDP client application) or "Embedded" (the session opens inside the RDM window).

When you say "it prints only portrait", are you given the option to print landscape and it's just not respected? Or something else?

Please let me know if something isn't clear.

Thanks and kind regards,

Hello,

On the Macbook with Sonom 12.4 I open the program 'Microsoft Remote Desktop Bèta'.
Version 10.9.5.
Then I configure the Terminal Server I want to login on IP address.
(on RD I choose Add PC - PC name I fill in the IP address - Fill in the Account.
And on tab "Devices&Audio" I activate Printers.
Then from my Macbook I make connection with the Terminal Server (Windows Server 2022 R2).
I hope it's clear how I login to the Terminal Server.

Then I open example Word.
On the printer settings I choose print 'Landscape'. On the preview it's landscape.
But when I choose my printer (I work from home and choose the 'redirected' printer.
I can print but it's portrait. But printer settings on Terminal Server and print preview it's landscape.

I hope it makes sentence what I wrote :-)

If not let me know but I hope you have a solution for me.

Before Sonoma I was be able to print landscape. After update to Sonoma I have this 'weird' problem.

Hello

Thanks for the information.

The background on this issue is that when you redirect a local printer to an RDP server, the RDP client must propose a printer driver to the server (a valid driver must exist on both the client and the server for printer redirection to work). Historically this was best achieved by selecting a generic PostScript printer driver; as it provides the best compatibility - every major OS can understand PostScript in some capacity.

Apple removed a good chunk of PostScript support from macOS Sonoma which broke this functionality across the board. The workaround employed by Microsoft (and Devolutions) is to use the "Print to PDF" driver instead, with the drawback that "Print to PDF" is only available on the server for Windows 10 and higher.

So, that is what changed in macOS Sonoma. If it's not working properly for you using the Microsoft RDP client, there's not much I can help with, apart from suggest you open a forum thread or support case with Microsoft themselves. I don't have much insight into how their client works.

We did make the same workaround inside Remote Desktop Manager; so you might try recreating the problem using an embedded RDP session inside RDM. If you experience the problem there please let me know, although we also might not be able to do much on our side - we don't have much control over the actual printing process, other than telling the server which driver to use.

You might experiment with using the "Print to PDF" option directly on the remote machine, and see if it gives you the expected results. If not, perhaps there is a problem with that driver.

Please let me know if you have some questions or something isn't clear

Thanks and kind regards,