Recent developments surrounding the Windows update KB5121003 have raised concerns among gamers, particularly regarding its compatibility with a specific driver, inpoutx64.sys. In a message shared on Discord, the studio clarified that the issues at hand are not linked to game updates or drivers, but rather stem from this particular incompatibility.
The fallout from this update has been significant, with many users experiencing unexpected crashes during gameplay. In some instances, these crashes are accompanied by immediate Windows restarts, alongside error messages such as “Hang detected on GameThread” or EXCEPTIONACCESSVIOLATION.
Moreover, KB5121003 has introduced a range of additional problems, including:
- Unexpected drops in refresh rates
- Black screens
- Faulty HDR behavior
- Other graphics-related issues
Users have also reported isolated incidents where signing in with Windows Hello via PIN results in the deletion or corruption of the stored sign-in key upon restart, necessitating the registration of a new PIN each time.
What can you do if you’re affected?
As of now, Microsoft has not publicly acknowledged these issues, leaving many to wonder if a solution is on the horizon. In the meantime, the developer Embark is aware of the situation and is working towards a long-term fix, although a specific timeline has yet to be announced.
For those grappling with these disruptions, there are a few potential workarounds to mitigate the impact:
- Open the Windows Command Prompt and enter
sc stop inpoutx64. - Follow this by entering
sc delete inpoutx64and pressing Enter. - Close the Command Prompt, then navigate to
C:WindowsSystem32driversin File Explorer and delete the fileinpoutx64.sys. In some cases, simply stopping the driver may suffice, allowing for temporary relief without complete deletion.
Alternatively, users may consider uninstalling KB5121003 altogether. This can be done through Settings → Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall updates. However, this option comes with a caveat: while it may alleviate the immediate issues, it also removes critical security patches, thus potentially compromising the system’s overall security. This step is only advisable for those whose systems are significantly affected by the update’s problems.
