● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 negative
Microsoft Investigates August Windows Updates Causing Gaming Issues on Windows 11
Key points
- August 2026 Windows updates (KB5121003) are linked to gaming issues.
- Games may freeze, crash, or show "EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION" errors.
- Affects Windows 11, versions 25H2 and 24H2.
- Microsoft is investigating the cause and collecting user feedback.
August Updates Trigger Gaming Problems
Microsoft has confirmed it is investigating a potential issue with the August 2026 Windows updates, specifically KB5121003, which may be causing problems for gamers. Users have reported that certain games are failing to launch or are crashing unexpectedly on Windows 11 systems running versions 25H2 and 24H2.
Reported Symptoms and Affected Games
The issues reported by users include games freezing, closing without notice, displaying "EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION" errors, and causing unexpected system restarts. Specific games mentioned in user reports include ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals. Microsoft stated it received reports of these issues following the August 11, 2026, update release.
Microsoft's Response and Investigation
Microsoft has acknowledged the reports and is currently investigating to determine if the issue is caused by their updates. The company has asked gamers experiencing these problems to submit reports via the Feedback Hub app to assist in their investigation. An update will be provided once more information becomes available.
Context of Recent Windows Update Issues
The KB5121003 update was part of the August 2026 Patch Tuesday, which also included Secure Boot updates and improvements to File Explorer and Windows Search. This is not the first time Microsoft has encountered gaming-related issues with Windows updates; previous instances include blocking Windows 24H2 upgrades due to Easy Anti-Cheat blue screens and Asphalt 8 crashes in October 2024, and resolving an Auto HDR compatibility hold in 2025.
✨ 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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Reporting from
Microsoft is investigating reports that the August 2026 Windows updates (KB5121003) are preventing some games from launching or causing crashes on Windows 11, versions 25H2 and 24H2. This issue affects titles like ARC Raiders and MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, leading to freezes, unexpected closures, and errors for affected users.