Microsoft Releases Temporary Fix for Windows 11 Gaming Issues

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Microsoft has released a workaround for persistent gaming disruptions affecting Windows 11 systems following the August 2026 Patch Tuesday updates.

Microsoft addresses gaming instability linked to Windows 11 updates

Users on affected devices have encountered game crashes, failure to launch, freezing, "EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION" errors, and unanticipated system reboots. The issue specifically impacts titles such as ARC Raiders, MARVEL T kon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals on systems operating Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 versions.

Company investigation and findings

The company confirmed investigations into the problem on Wednesday, noting that the disruptions began after the deployment of updates KB5121003 and subsequent patches. A follow-up statement on Thursday attributed the anomalies to peripherals or internal components equipped with RGB lighting capabilities. These devices may install drivers or code modules with filenames resembling "inpoutx64," which trigger conflicts when specific games are executed.

"Ongoing analysis suggests a connection between these RGB-enabled components and the games that activate the issue," the statement clarified. "Further research is underway to determine the exact relationship, with updates to be provided as more details emerge."

Developer confirmation and root cause

Embark Studios, the developer behind The Finals and ARC Raiders, corroborated Microsoft’s findings, emphasizing that the root cause involves modifications to the Windows kernel driver.

Workaround procedure outlined

Microsoft has provided a temporary solution requiring users to disable the problematic "inpoutx64" driver via the Windows Registry. The process involves backing up the registry before making changes, as adjustments may need reversal once the underlying issue is resolved.

Launching the Registry Editor through the Start menu.
Navigating to the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\inpoutx64.
Modifying the "Start" value to "4" in the right-side panel.
Restarting the system to apply the changes.

Microsoft cautioned that disabling the driver could lead to unintended consequences, such as malfunctions in RGB features or associated control software. Users encountering such issues can restore the original settings by reverting the registry entry.

Additional recommendations

The company also urged affected users to submit feedback through the Feedback Hub app while continuing to investigate the connection between gaming software and RGB components. This follows previous instances where Microsoft addressed performance challenges tied to Windows updates. For example, the company previously removed compatibility restrictions after resolving a bug in the Auto HDR feature that disrupted gameplay on Windows 11 24H2 devices.

Technical details remain critical as the investigation progresses, with no definitive resolution yet announced. The temporary fix serves as a stopgap measure to mitigate disruptions while Microsoft works toward a permanent correction.