Windows 11: Microsoft publishes a workaround for game crashes caused by the August update

On August 24, 2026, Microsoft released a temporary workaround to address game launch and stability issues reported after installing update KB5121003, which was distributed with the August 11 Patch Tuesday. The symptoms affect Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 systems and involve titles such as ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals. This is not a security vulnerability but a compatibility issue that prevents normal use of video games.

Symptoms and affected systems

Users who installed KB5121003 on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 report sudden game crashes, failure to launch, screen freezes, and unexpected system restarts. In some cases the error "EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION" appears, typical of attempts to access invalid memory. The three games explicitly cited by Microsoft are ARC Raiders and The Finals from Embark Studios, as well as MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, whose developer is not indicated in the official documentation. It is unclear whether other titles are affected, but the investigation is still ongoing.

Technical cause: RGB drivers and inpoutx64.sys

Microsoft has linked the malfunction to the presence of drivers or components installed by peripherals with RGB lighting or internal components. These devices may register files with names similar to "inpoutx64" in the system. When a game attempts to launch, the driver conflicts with changes made to the Windows kernel by update KB5121003 and triggers the crash. Embark Studios, the Swedish developer of The Finals and ARC Raiders, confirmed that the inpoutx64.sys file is the culprit, noting that the problem stems from changes introduced in the Windows kernel driver. The exact relationship between RGB components and the games that trigger the malfunction is still under investigation.

Official workaround: disable the driver via registry

Microsoft has provided an official procedure to temporarily disable the inpoutx64 driver. This is a change to the system registry that requires attention but is reversible. The steps are as follows:

1. Open Registry Editor (regedit).
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\inpoutx64.
3. Locate the "Start" value and set it to 4.
4. Close the registry and restart the computer.

Setting the value to 4 disables the service, preventing it from starting automatically. After the restart, games should work normally, at least until the driver is re-enabled. Microsoft recommends backing up the registry before making the change and reporting any issues through the Feedback Hub app. To restore the previous configuration, simply set the "Start" value back to its original number.

Side effects and precautions

Disabling inpoutx64 is not without consequences. Microsoft warns that the change may cause unwanted behavior, such as malfunctioning RGB features or control software for connected peripherals. The workaround is therefore intended for those who urgently need to play and cannot wait for a permanent fix. Users who do not use RGB peripherals or components with lighting may not be affected by the problem at all and should not modify the registry. The official fix, in the form of an update or driver patch, does not yet have an announced release date.

A recurring problem for Windows 11 updates

This is not the first time Microsoft has addressed game stability and performance issues related to Windows updates. In the past, the company has removed update blocks for titles such as Asphalt 8: Airborne, Star Wars Outlaws, Assassin’s Creed, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. More recently, it lifted a compatibility block after fixing a bug in the Auto HDR feature that affected some games on Windows 11 24H2. The current case is therefore part of a series of incidents related to compatibility between the operating system and gaming software, which Microsoft manages with workarounds and temporary blocks.

What happens next

Microsoft's investigation continues to determine how RGB drivers interact with the games that trigger the problem and to develop a stable solution. Until then, the registry workaround remains the only official mitigation. Affected users can decide whether to apply it immediately, accepting the possible impact on RGB lighting, or wait for a corrective update. No risks to data or system security have been reported: this is exclusively a gaming experience issue. For those who need to report their case, the channel indicated by Microsoft is the Feedback Hub app.