Microsoft has released a temporary workaround for a growing gaming issue affecting some Windows 11 systems following updates released during the August 2026 Patch Tuesday cycle. Users of affected PCs have reported games crashing or failing to launch, system freezes, “EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION” errors and unexpected restarts.
The issue affects systems running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Microsoft said it began receiving reports after the release of the KB5121003 update on August 11, 2026, and subsequent updates.
Games reported to be affected include ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls and The Finals.
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Microsoft Links Crashes to RGB Components
Microsoft initially said it was investigating the problem and later identified a possible connection with drivers or software components installed by RGB-enabled peripherals and internal hardware.
According to the company, some RGB devices may install drivers or code components with file names similar to inpoutx64. On systems where these components are present, launching certain games can trigger crashes and other stability problems.
Microsoft said it is continuing to investigate the relationship between the affected games and RGB-related components and will provide further information once the investigation progresses.
Swedish game developer Embark Studios, which developed The Finals and ARC Raiders, also confirmed the connection involving inpoutx64.sys. The developer indicated that the issue is related to changes involving the Windows kernel driver.
Microsoft Provides Registry Workaround
Until a permanent solution is released, Microsoft has recommended disabling the inpoutx64 driver through the Windows Registry.
The company has warned users to back up the Registry before making changes, as the setting may need to be restored after Microsoft fixes the underlying issue.
Users experiencing the gaming problem can follow these steps:
1. Open the Start menu, type regedit and launch Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\inpoutx64
3. Locate the Start value on the right side of the Registry Editor.
4. Double-click it and change Value data to 4.
5. Close Registry Editor and restart the computer.
Changing the Registry should be done carefully because incorrect modifications can cause Windows configuration or stability problems.
RGB Features May Stop Working
Microsoft has cautioned that disabling the driver could have unintended consequences.
Users may experience problems with RGB lighting on compatible peripherals or internal components. Software used to control RGB lighting could also stop working correctly.
Microsoft said that if users experience such problems and want to restore RGB functionality, they can re-enable the driver by returning the Registry value to its previous setting.
The company is also asking affected gamers to submit reports through the Feedback Hub application. These reports could help Microsoft identify the precise relationship between the games, RGB components and the driver triggering the failures.
Part of a Series of Windows Gaming Issues
This is not the first time Microsoft has had to address gaming-related compatibility problems following Windows updates.
The company has previously removed upgrade blocks that prevented players of games including Asphalt 8: Airborne, Star Wars Outlaws, Assassin’s Creed and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora from upgrading affected Windows devices.
More recently, Microsoft lifted another compatibility hold after fixing an issue involving the Auto HDR feature that was causing problems with certain games on Windows 11 24H2 systems.
The latest incident highlights the potential compatibility risks that can emerge when Windows updates interact with third-party hardware drivers and system-level components.
For gamers affected by the August updates, Microsoft’s Registry workaround can temporarily restore access to games, but users should keep a backup of the Registry and be prepared to reverse the change once a permanent fix becomes available.
