error message Archives

Winsage

February 24, 2026

Surface Pro update fixes key cellular bugs — just as Microsoft leans into 5G

Microsoft has released a firmware update for the Surface Pro (11th Gen) in February, focusing on enhancing connectivity and device reliability. Key improvements include enhanced security to address vulnerabilities, uninterrupted VPN usage by fixing cellular connectivity issues, consistent cellular settings, improved video conferencing during Microsoft Teams calls, resolved compatibility issues with Surface Dock 2, and a fix for Dolby Vision video playback errors. Additionally, Microsoft is collaborating with Ericsson to enhance 5G connectivity for Surface Pro users, which will include features like automatic eSIM switching and remote policy management. Future 5G bundles will include Microsoft 365, Intune, and Ericsson Enterprise 5G Connect, available with Surface Copilot+ PCs.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 8

Players can expect the introduction of the final baby mobs, including visual updates for pandas, hoglins, zoglins, striders, and snifflets. The Stonecutter now allows crafting of Deepslate and stone into various cobbled variants. Adult horses have updated black dot markings, and sound assets for adult variants have been enhanced. A bug related to cat variant sounds has been fixed. Hitboxes for several mobs have been adjusted to fit into smaller spaces. Operators can use Ctrl + Pick input on players and mannequins in Creative Mode. Input Method Editors will now appear above the text field in supported platforms. A new debug screen entry for memory usage has been added, and the initial heap size has been decreased to 2GB to reduce crashes. The Data Pack version is updated to 99.2, and the Resource Pack version is at 81.1. New UI sprites and entity textures for various baby mobs have been introduced. Several bugs have been fixed in the snapshot.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Instagram app crashing within seconds of opening on Android for many [U: Widespread again]

The Instagram app for Android is experiencing significant crashing issues, particularly related to beta version 417.0.0.0.73, causing frustration among users who report the app force-closing within seconds of launching. Problems began two days ago with crashes when liking comments and escalated to the app failing to launch. Users have encountered the error message “Something went wrong with Instagram” and have reported their photo grids disappearing, despite everything being intact on the web version. Clearing the cache provides only temporary relief, and standard troubleshooting methods have not resolved the issues. Many users are unable to disable the Early Access toggle due to errors. Meta has not yet acknowledged these problems publicly. Some users are considering installing an older APK file as a temporary solution.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

Anthem is finally, officially dead

At approximately 2:05 PM EST today, players of Anthem were unexpectedly disconnected from EA's servers, marking the official end of the game after nearly seven years since its launch. The game had struggled with live service management and received a lukewarm reception, with a review rating of 55 in February 2019. Development issues and a lack of creative direction plagued Anthem, leading to abandoned plans for reinvention in February 2021. EA announced the game's closure in July, and in its final hours, the community engaged in a nostalgic farewell. Players expressed mixed feelings about the game's experience, highlighting both the thrill of combat and frustrations with its design.

Winsage

January 11, 2026

Windows Media Player’s ‘find album information’ functionality has been removed — you’ll have to find other software for playing and ripping CDs with relevant track information

Microsoft has removed the 'find album information' and 'update album info online' functionalities from the Media Player applications in Windows 11. Neither the Windows Media Player Legacy nor the latest Media Player app can connect to retrieve data such as album artwork, track names, and details when an audio CD is inserted. The built-in 'Find Album Information' service, which relies on musicmatch-ssl.xboxlive.com, is unreachable. Users attempting to update album information in the latest Media Player app receive an error message indicating a connection issue, despite having a stable internet connection. The removal of these features is disappointing for users who still appreciate physical media, especially as optical drives are becoming rare in new computers.

Winsage

January 9, 2026

Nothing to declare at border control except a Windows 7 certificate error

A glitch in the border control wait-time display at Birmingham Airport showed a security certificate error, leaving passengers unaware of their wait times. The display is running on Windows 7, which reached its end of life in 2020, and the error message resembles outdated technology from Windows Vista. Despite this, a traveler reported a quick passage through border control, taking only ten minutes. The ongoing certificate issue raises concerns about the reliability of the information provided to passengers.

Tech Optimizer

January 7, 2026

Fake error popups are spreading malware fast

A new cybercrime tool called ErrTraffic has emerged, simplifying malware dissemination through deceptive fake error messages that prompt users to address non-existent issues. The attacks begin on compromised websites, where users encounter distorted text and pop-ups suggesting a browser update or font installation. Clicking the provided button copies a command to the clipboard, instructing users to paste it into PowerShell, which triggers the malware infection. ErrTraffic automates this process, requiring minimal investment for attackers to access a control panel and scripted payload delivery. It operates via JavaScript injection, adapting to the user's operating system and browser to display tailored messages. This method effectively bypasses traditional malware defenses, achieving high conversion rates, with nearly 60% of users following through with the instructions. Infected devices may deploy infostealers or banking trojans, with the system designed to evade law enforcement by excluding certain regions. To mitigate risks, users should avoid copying commands from websites, trust built-in update notifications, use robust antivirus software, and regularly remove personal information from data broker sites.

Winsage

January 6, 2026

ClickFix attack uses fake Windows BSOD screens to push malware

A new social engineering attack campaign called ClickFix is targeting the hospitality sector in Europe, using fake Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) screens to trick users into executing malware. Initially identified in December by Securonix as "PHALT#BLYX," the campaign involves phishing emails that appear to be notifications from Booking.com, often mentioning significant refunds to create urgency. Victims are directed to a counterfeit Booking.com site that mimics the legitimate one and displays a fake error message prompting them to execute a malicious command. This command launches a PowerShell script that downloads and compiles malware known as DCRAT, a remote access Trojan that allows attackers to control infected devices, exfiltrate data, and spread within networks.

Winsage

December 16, 2025

Microsoft admits Windows 10’s extended updates are causing issues, MSMQ won’t work

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue with the December 2025 Patch update (KB5071546) for Windows 10, affecting the Message Queuing (MSMQ) component, which is primarily used by enterprise applications. The update altered MSMQ's operational dynamics and modified NTFS permissions for its storage directory, requiring write access that many real-world implementations do not have. This has led to operational failures, with users experiencing error messages indicating insufficient resources. Reports indicate that uninstalling the update restores MSMQ functionality. Microsoft is investigating these issues, which also impact clustered MSMQ environments under load, but does not affect Windows 11. Users are advised to uninstall the update to resolve MSMQ issues.

Winsage

November 26, 2025

Your Windows 11 upgrade not working? Try my 5 favorite troubleshooting tricks

When upgrading to Windows 11 on older hardware, users may encounter frustrating error codes and messages. To resolve upgrade issues, it is recommended to: 1. Ensure all necessary driver and firmware/BIOS updates are installed, as many users have found success after addressing these updates. 2. Check Microsoft's Windows release information dashboard for known issues related to the upgrade, as there may be temporary compatibility blocks that can be bypassed by updating or uninstalling incompatible software. 3. Restart the upgrade process after checking for pending updates, uninstalling unnecessary software, and disconnecting non-essential peripherals. Selecting "Not right now" for update downloads can help minimize complications. 4. Search for specific error codes and messages online, using reliable sources like Reddit or Microsoft for potential solutions. 5. Utilize the SetupDiag tool to analyze Windows log files for detailed reports on upgrade failures, which can help identify the causes of issues. This involves downloading the tool, creating a specific folder, and running commands in an elevated command prompt to generate a readable report.