The recent turmoil surrounding Windows 11 gaming has unveiled an unexpected adversary: RGB peripherals and components. Following the August 11 Patch Tuesday rollup, Microsoft identified these vibrant devices as the source of game crashes that have plagued users for the past two weeks.
Understanding the Issue
In its latest Windows release health update, Microsoft elaborated on the situation, explaining that peripherals or internal components featuring RGB lighting may install drivers or code components with names resembling inpoutx64. This particular driver is triggered when certain games are launched on systems where it is present, leading to frustrating crashes.
The investigation was initially prompted by Embark Studios, which publicly attributed the issue to the update KB5121003. Embark has since corroborated Microsoft’s findings regarding inpoutx64.sys, while also noting that the root of the problem lies in alterations to the Windows kernel driver itself—a point Microsoft has yet to acknowledge.
Temporary Workarounds
As of Monday, a temporary solution has been offered: a registry edit. Users can navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesinpoutx64 in the registry editor, adjust the Start value to 4, and reboot their systems. However, caution is advised; backing up the registry is essential, as this adjustment may need to be reversed once a permanent fix is released. Additionally, disabling the driver could compromise the RGB functionality of peripherals or their controlling software, presenting a dilemma: prioritize gaming stability or maintain dazzling lighting effects.
Identifying Affected Titles
Microsoft has pinpointed several affected titles, including ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals, specifically on Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Users may experience symptoms such as games freezing, unexpected closures, EXCEPTIONACCESSVIOLATION errors, or even unanticipated system restarts. The problematic update, KB5121003, corresponds to build 26200.9168 for 25H2 and 26100.9168 for 24H2.
Security Considerations
It is crucial to note that rolling back the update is not advisable. The August rollup addressed over 400 vulnerabilities, including one that was actively exploited and two publicly disclosed zero-days. Uninstalling it to resolve game crashes would merely exchange a stability issue for a security risk. Thus, the registry workaround, despite its potential impact on lighting effects, emerges as the more prudent choice.
Hidden Drivers and Ongoing Investigations
The inpoutx64.sys driver is an older signed driver that has been bundled with a surprising number of RGB and monitoring software for years. Many users may be unaware of its presence on their systems, and the connection between a crashing game and a fan controller is not immediately apparent. For those who have been attributing their gaming woes to GPU drivers, it may be worthwhile to check C:WindowsSystem32drivers for this file before making any further adjustments.
Microsoft continues to investigate the intricate relationship between RGB components and the games that trigger these issues, urging affected players to provide feedback through the Feedback Hub. As of now, a timeline for a comprehensive patch remains undisclosed.
