Microsoft Updates Break Audio On 1000s Of Windows PCs
September security patches cause issues with USB Audio Class 1.0 devices on Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, with some users finding a temporary fix by switching to 2-channel mode
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Microsoft releases emergency out-of-band update to fix audio issues.
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Story published. September security patches cause issues with USB Audio Class 1.0 devices on Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, with some users finding a temporary fix by switching to 2-channel mode
Microsoft's September 2026 security updates have caused audio issues on some Windows PCs, specifically those with USB Audio Class 1.0 devices. The company has confirmed the problem, which affects Windows 11 version 24H2 or later.
The issue is limited to devices running Windows 11, version 24H2 or later, and is caused by the KB5124008 and KB5124012 September 2026 security updates. Affected users have reported seeing 'This device cannot start (Code 10)' errors in Device Manager, with no audio output and unresponsive volume controls and sound settings.
Some users have been able to restore audio on affected Windows PCs by switching to 2-channel mode, although Microsoft has not yet provided an official workaround. The issue appears to be related to multichannel audio features, including 3D audio or 8-channel modes, with some users reporting that their USB audio speakers fail only when using these features.
This is not the first time Microsoft has addressed audio issues related to Windows updates. In January 2025, the company fixed a similar issue triggered by the KB5050094 optional preview cumulative update, which caused audio playback issues and Code 10 errors on Windows 11 24H2 systems with USB audio device drivers.
## What happens next Microsoft has fixed other known issues with the September 2026 cumulative updates, including problems that wiped Windows desktop and mouse settings, and a bug that prevented Teams and Outlook from launching on ARM-based Windows devices. The company has also lifted a safeguard hold that prevented Windows 11 24H2 upgrades on systems with Dirac audio improvement software due to compatibility issues.
## Why it matters The issue highlights the potential risks of installing security updates, which can sometimes cause unforeseen problems. For users who rely on their Windows PCs for audio-related tasks, such as music production or video editing, the loss of audio functionality can be a significant disruption. As Microsoft continues to work on a fix, affected users will need to find temporary workarounds, such as switching to 2-channel mode, to restore audio functionality.
