Windows 11 "Black Screen" Bug Hits Users After January 2026 Patch Tuesday

Windows 11 "Black Screen" Bug Hits Users After January 2026 Patch Tuesday

A segment of Windows 11 users is reporting a frustrating "Black Screen" bug following the installation of the January 2026 Patch Tuesday security updates. The issue typically occurs immediately after booting up or restarting the system, leaving the machine running but without any visual output.

The Primary Culprit: KB5074109

According to reports from Windows Latest, the problematic update has been identified as KB5074109. This bug specifically impacts the latest iterations of the OS, including Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Fortunately, the issue does not appear to be universal, affecting only a specific subset of hardware and software configurations.

Symptoms and Root Causes

Affected users describe a "lifeless" screen where the display remains pitch black despite the computer's fans spinning and internal components functioning normally. Interestingly, some users have noted they can still access their machines via Remote Desktop, suggesting the core OS is stable, but the display output layer has failed.

Experts have identified two primary triggers for this conflict:

1. UI Customization Software: Tools that modify the Windows shell, such as ExplorerPatcher or third-party Taskbar and Start Menu customizers, appear to clash with system file changes introduced in the new patch.

2. Display Driver Incompatibility: Certain graphics driver versions are struggling to communicate with the updated Windows Display Manager, leading to a total failure in signal output.

How to Fix the Black Screen

If you are currently facing this issue, you can attempt the following recovery steps:

• Reset Graphics Drivers: Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. You should hear a beep, and the screen will attempt to refresh.

• Uninstall the Update: Enter Recovery Mode (WinRE) and navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Uninstall Updates to remove KB5074109.

• Precautionary Measure: For those who haven't updated yet, it is highly recommended to pause Windows Updates and back up critical data until Microsoft releases an official fix.

Besides uninstalling the patch, entering Safe Mode often restores the display, as the system loads a generic display driver instead of the problematic one. This makes it easier for users to update their graphics card drivers or remove conflicting programs.

Insights indicate that in version 25H2, Microsoft restructured the shell infrastructure to better support AI-powered UI features. This is why programs like ExplorerPatcher have been crashing frequently lately, as the previously used structure has been completely changed.

Microsoft often releases fixes as optional updates at the end of the month. Users experiencing problems should regularly check Windows Update for preliminary patches before the next Patch Tuesday.

Administrators and general users can track the status of this bug on Microsoft's Windows Release Health Dashboard, where it will officially indicate "Confirmed," "Investigating," or "Resolved."

 

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