Windows Update Bug Disrupts Gaming Experience
Last week, a peculiar bug emerged following the latest Windows update, KB5121003, stirring frustration among gamers. This glitch has rendered several popular titles, including Arc Raiders, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals, unresponsive, igniting a wave of discontent within the gaming community.
In the wake of this disruption, Embark Studios, the developer behind two of the affected games, proposed a theory attributing the crashes to a specific driver, inpoutx64.sys. They suggested a workaround: disabling the problematic file through the Command Prompt. Microsoft has echoed this sentiment, indicating that there is a disconnect between inpoutx64.sys, the impacted games, and the recent update.
Microsoft’s ongoing investigation has identified the KB5121003 update as the catalyst for these issues. The company has been somewhat reserved in its assessment, stating, “We are presently working to understand the relationship between these RGB components and the games which trigger this issue. We will provide an update when more information is available.”
Interestingly, Microsoft has pointed to RGB lighting as a potential culprit. Their findings suggest that the problem may stem from peripherals or internal components featuring RGB lighting, which could install drivers or code components with names similar to inpoutx64. When these drivers are present, launching certain games can trigger the issue.
To mitigate the problem, Microsoft has provided a method to disable the driver via the registry. However, caution is advised, as modifying the registry carries the risk of destabilizing the entire system. Microsoft recommends backing up the registry before making any changes.
- Open the Windows registry by typing “regedit” in the start menu and selecting the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the key HKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesinpoutx64. This can be done using the folders on the left or by typing the path into the address line.
- NOTE: Ensure you have backed up the registry, as this may be necessary to undo changes later.
- On the right side, locate the registry value named Start. Double-click this key and enter the number 4 in the Value data field.
- Close the window and restart your computer.
It’s important to note that this action may disable certain RGB lighting features or interfere with the software managing them. As Microsoft continues to investigate the intricate relationship between the games, the driver, and the update, gamers may find themselves at a crossroads: prioritize gameplay or maintain their PC’s aesthetic appeal. Alternatively, rolling back to a previous Windows update could provide a temporary reprieve while awaiting a comprehensive solution.
