● Covered by 2 sources · 3 reportsMedium impact2 negative1 neutral
Microsoft September Updates Cause USB Audio Device Failures on Windows 11 24H2
Key points
- September 2026 updates KB5124008 and KB5124012 cause USB audio issues.
- Affects Windows 11, version 24H2 and USB Audio Class 1.0 devices.
- Users report "Code 10" errors and no audio output.
- No official fix yet; some users found a workaround using 2-channel mode.
- The update KB5124008 was launched on September 8.
- The issue also affects microphones.
- The problem impacts legacy hardware using a driver from Windows 98.
- Microsoft released an out-of-band update to fix the audio bug.
- The patch was launched on Monday for Windows 11 26H2, 25H2, and 24H2.
- The patch also fixes CVE-2026-62721, CVE-2026-85921, Remote Desktop Services instability, and Hyper-V issues.
USB Audio Devices Fail After September Updates
Microsoft has acknowledged that the September 2026 security updates, specifically KB5124008 and KB5124012, are causing problems with USB audio devices on certain Windows systems. The issue primarily affects devices running Windows 11, version 24H2 or later, and is limited to USB Audio Class 1.0 devices.
Reported Symptoms and Error Codes
Affected users have reported that their USB audio devices fail to start or produce audio after installing the updates. Common symptoms include "This device cannot start (Code 10)" errors in Device Manager, a complete lack of audio output, and unresponsive volume controls and sound settings. Some users noted that the problem specifically occurs when using multichannel audio features like 3D audio or 8-channel modes.
Previous Incidents and Workarounds
While Microsoft has not yet provided an official solution, some users have temporarily resolved the issue by switching their audio output to 2-channel mode. This is not the first time Microsoft has faced audio-related problems with updates; a similar issue occurred in January 2025 with the KB5050094 update, also affecting Windows 11 24H2 systems with USB audio device drivers. Microsoft has also previously addressed compatibility issues with Dirac audio software and Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) drivers that caused audio malfunctions and system instability.
Other Fixes in September Updates
Alongside the audio issues, the September 2026 cumulative updates also included fixes for other known problems. These resolved issues that wiped Windows desktop and mouse settings, and a bug that prevented Teams and Outlook from launching on ARM-based Windows devices.
Updates
- The update KB5124008 was launched on September 8.
- The issue also affects microphones.
- The problem impacts legacy hardware using a driver from Windows 98.
- Microsoft released an out-of-band update to fix the audio bug.
- The patch was launched on Monday for Windows 11 26H2, 25H2, and 24H2.
- The patch also fixes CVE-2026-62721, CVE-2026-85921, Remote Desktop Services instability, and Hyper-V issues.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Microsoft released an out-of-band update for Windows 11 (versions 26H2, 25H2, and 24H2) to resolve an audio bug affecting USB Audio Class 1.0 devices, which prevented sound output. The patch also addresses two security vulnerabilities (CVE-2026-62721, CVE-2026-85921), Remote Desktop Services instability, and Hyper-V issues. This update is significant for users experiencing these specific problems, especially those with older audio hardware.
Microsoft's September Patch Tuesday update (KB5124008) for Windows 11 is causing audio failures on certain older USB Audio Class 1.0 devices. This issue affects speakers, headphones, and microphones, leading to no sound output or unresponsive audio controls. The problem primarily impacts legacy hardware, but Microsoft is working on a fix, with a temporary workaround involving switching audio mode to Stereo.
Microsoft confirmed that the September 2026 security updates, KB5124008 and KB5124012, are causing USB Audio Class 1.0 devices to fail on Windows 11, version 24H2 systems. This issue prevents audio output and displays "Code 10" errors, impacting users who rely on these specific USB audio devices.