A recent cumulative update for Windows 11 has been found to cause compatibility issues with several popular games, leading to crashes and unexpected system behavior. Microsoft has identified a potential culprit: the drivers and components associated with RGB lighting effects on peripheral devices.
Games Affected by the Update
According to reports and updated Microsoft support documentation, several games are experiencing problems after installing the latest Windows 11 cumulative update. Among the titles confirmed to be affected are ‘ARC Raiders’, ‘Marvel’s Midnight Suns’, and ‘The Finals’. Players have reported experiencing a range of issues, including games becoming unresponsive, crashing unexpectedly, displaying an EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION error, and in some severe cases, causing unprompted system restarts.
The RGB Lighting Connection
Microsoft’s investigation has pointed towards a conflict between certain game executables and the drivers installed for RGB-enabled peripherals. Specifically, the issue seems to stem from a component named inpoutx64.sys. This driver, when installed for RGB devices, can clash with these games upon launch, triggering the aforementioned malfunctions.
The Swedish game developer Embark Studios, creators of ‘ARC Raiders’ and ‘The Finals’, has also corroborated these findings. They have stated that their players encountering these crashes after the recent Windows update are indeed linked to the inpoutx64.sys file.
Temporary Solutions for Affected Players
While Microsoft works on an official fix, Embark Studios has provided a temporary workaround for players experiencing these issues. Users can manually address the problem by deleting the relevant service associated with the conflicting driver and removing the inpoutx64 file from the Windows driver folder. This process should help restore game stability until a permanent software patch is released.
Previous Compatibility Concerns
This is not the first time a Windows update has caused gaming-related compatibility problems. Previously, Microsoft acknowledged issues with a Windows 11 26H1 experimental build affecting ‘PUBG: Battlegrounds’. Additionally, another update (KB5121003) was also linked to ‘ARC Raiders’ and other games failing to launch or crashing. These recurring incidents highlight the ongoing challenges in ensuring seamless compatibility between operating system updates and the diverse ecosystem of PC games and hardware.
Gamers encountering these issues are advised to keep their Windows operating system updated and to check for official statements from both Microsoft and game developers regarding patches and further solutions.
