- Status: Investigating
- Affected Builds: Windows 11 25H2 (Build 26200.9168) and 24H2 (Build 26100.9168)
- KB Article: KB5121003
- Trigger: inpoutx64.sys driver conflict
Microsoft’s August 11 Patch Tuesday release, KB5121003, has introduced a new issue for PC gamers running Windows 11. According to reports, the update is causing games to become unresponsive, crash with an EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION error, or force a full PC reboot.
The problem impacts both Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 installations, specifically affecting OS builds 26200.9168 and 26100.9168. While Microsoft states the issue is not yet widespread, the company confirmed it is actively investigating the cause.
Reports indicate the crashes are primarily affecting titles such as ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals. Embark Studios, the developer behind ARC Raiders and The Finals, acknowledged the problem on Discord and pointed to a change in the inpoutx64.sys kernel-level driver as the likely culprit.
The inpoutx64.sys file is a kernel-mode driver often used by hardware peripherals and gaming accessories to handle input/output operations. When the August update modified this file, it appears to have broken communication between the driver and certain games, leading to the instability.
Embark Studios has stated it is working on a long-term fix for its titles. However, the developer has also provided a temporary workaround that may help restore functionality for affected users.
How to fix the Windows 11 game crashes
If you are experiencing crashes or reboots after installing KB5121003, you can try the following steps to stop the inpoutx64 service and remove the problematic driver file. This approach should allow your games to run without the conflict.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by searching for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-clicking the result, and selecting “Run as administrator.”
Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
sc stop inpoutx64
Step 3: Next, type this command and press Enter to delete the service:
sc delete inpoutx64
Step 4: Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers. Locate the file named inpoutx64.sys and delete it.
After completing these steps, you should be able to launch your games without encountering the crash or reboot issues. Note that this is a manual workaround, and you may need to reinstall the driver if a game or peripheral requires it in the future.
Rolling back the update
If the workaround does not resolve the issue, or if you prefer not to modify system files, you can roll back Windows 11 to a previous version. This will remove KB5121003 and restore your system to its pre-update state.
To do this, go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Go back. You typically have 10 days to roll back after an update before Windows removes the previous version’s files.
What this means for you
For most users, this issue is limited to a specific set of games and may not affect everyday tasks. However, if you rely on ARC Raiders, The Finals, or MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, the August update could disrupt your gaming experience.
Microsoft’s investigation into the inpoutx64.sys conflict suggests a patch may be on the way. In the meantime, the temporary fix provided by Embark Studios offers a viable solution for those affected.
This situation follows a similar issue from July 15, when Microsoft blocked the KB5101650 update on Dell PCs due to reports of unexpected shutdowns and overheating. Users should stay informed about Microsoft’s progress on both issues.
Are you seeing the inpoutx64.sys crashes in your favorite games, or has your setup remained stable since the August update?
Source: Latest from Windows Central
Build details:
- kb5101650
- kb5121003
Over to you: Are you seeing the inpoutx64.sys crashes in your favorite games, or has your setup remained stable since the August update?
