Microsoft Acknowledges Windows 11 Update Shutdown Bug

Microsoft has acknowledged multiple issues in its January 2026 security update for Windows 11, with the most prominent problem preventing some devices from shutting down or entering hibernation mode. The update, known as KB5073455 and released on January 13, 2026, affects Windows 11 version 23H2, specifically Enterprise and IoT editions equipped with the Secure Launch feature. Instead of powering off or hibernating as intended, affected systems restart automatically, leaving internal components running and potentially draining batteries on laptops.

The bug arises after users install the cumulative security patch, which is designed to address vulnerabilities and improve system stability. Secure Launch, a virtualization-based security tool introduced in Windows 10, verifies the boot process to guard against firmware-level threats, similar to Secure Boot. Microsoft confirmed in its release notes that devices with this feature enabled experience the shutdown failure, where the screen may appear to turn off but the system continues operating. This can lead to unexpected power consumption and the risk of data loss if users assume their device has shut down properly.