Windows 11 August Update (KB5121003) Causes Gaming Issues

The Windows 11 August 2026 update (KB5121003) has been reported to cause significant issues for gamers, including game crashes, unexpected system reboots, and performance drops such as lower-than-usual frame rates. Affected users initially suspected driver conflicts, but a gaming studio later identified KB5121003 as the root cause. Following a week of silence, MS has officially acknowledged the reports and launched an investigation.

MS Acknowledges Gaming Problems

According to a support document spotted by Windows Latest, MS has received reports of gaming issues following the release of the August 11, 2026 update (KB5121003). The company stated, “We are presently investigating to determine if this is an issue caused by MS. We will provide an update when more information is available.”

The update, which brought the OS to Build 26200.9168 for version 25H2 and Build 26100.9168 for version 24H2, can be verified via Settings > System > About. If your build matches these numbers, you are on the August 2026 Update.

Games Affected by the Update

While the update appeared stable initially, issues surfaced during gaming sessions. For instance, ARC Raiders repeatedly crashed and caused Windows to reboot. Further investigation revealed that multiple popular games were affected, including:

• ARC Raiders
• The Finals
• Another popular yet unnamed title

Both ARC Raiders and The Finals were developed by Embark Studios, which later identified compatibility issues as the source of the problem.

Embark Studios Confirms Compatibility Issues

Embark Studios confirmed that the crash was linked to the inpoutx64.sys file, a third-party kernel-level port access driver. This driver is not a native Windows component and is often installed by third-party software or hardware utilities, such as Razer’s software.

An Embark developer wrote on Discord, “We’re aware of a new crash introduced with the release of a Windows update (KB5121003) that may be affecting some of you. The team is working on a fix, and we will keep you posted on any updates.”

Further details from Embark indicated that the driver was modified by the update, leading to compatibility issues. As a temporary workaround, the studio recommended users remove the inpoutx64.sys driver:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type sc stop inpoutx64 and press Enter.
3. Type sc delete inpoutx64 and press Enter.
4. Manually delete the inpoutx64.sys file from C:\Windows\System32\drivers.

Reports from Windows Latest and user feedback corroborated Embark’s findings. After uninstalling KB5121003, affected games returned to normal functionality. Users also reported errors such as “Hang detected on GameThread” and EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION after installing the update.

MS Investigates Windows 11 KB5121003 Issues

As user complaints continued to mount, MS confirmed awareness of the gaming issues and urged users to submit feedback via the Feedback Hub. The company has not yet confirmed whether the problem originates from Windows itself, stating in its support document that it is still investigating “to determine if this is an issue caused by MS.”

In addition to gaming problems, some users reported issues with Windows Hello. One user noted that after installing KB5121003, Windows Hello PIN sign-in failed after every reboot, forcing them to reconnect to their MS account and re-enroll the PIN each time. MS has yet to confirm these reports.

Should You Uninstall Windows 11 KB5121003?

Despite the issues, users are strongly advised not to uninstall the update unless their PCs become unusable. The August 2026 Update addresses over 400 security vulnerabilities, and MS has warned against delaying updates for more than three days. With the rise of AI-powered cyberattacks, removing security updates could expose your system to greater risks.

If your PC is functioning normally, it is recommended to keep KB5121003 installed and await further updates from MS’s investigation.

Supporting Independent Reporting

Windows Latest depends on readers like you. Make us your preferred source on Google Discover and Google Search, and help our independent reporting reach more people.