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When a game or app starts crashing after a Windows update, first check whether Microsoft or the app publisher has documented the problem. Then update and repair the affected app before changing drivers or removing a Windows update. The timing is a clue, not proof: the cause could also be an app bug, a compatibility issue, a driver, or a device component.
Identify what changed before choosing a fix
Write down the Windows version and build, the update’s KB number and installation date, the app or game version, and the device architecture, such as ARM or x64. Note the GPU and driver version, any exact error text, and whether the app fails at launch, during use, or after a particular action. These details help distinguish a known Windows issue from an app-specific failure.
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Check Microsoft’s Windows release health page and the app publisher’s support information for the affected build and app version before uninstalling anything. Known issues and their status can change as fixes roll out.
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Microsoft’s notes for the August 11, 2026 Windows update KB5121003 describe certain games becoming unresponsive, closing without notice, producing “EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION,” or triggering an unexpected device restart. Microsoft linked the issue to certain RGB-lighting peripherals or internal components with drivers or software components resembling inpoutx64. Its mitigation blocks the driver from loading on affected devices. The reported games include ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and THE FINALS. Consumer and non-IT-managed business devices receive the mitigation automatically; enterprise-managed devices may need action from IT. Check Microsoft’s current Windows 11 release-health notes for the latest status.
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The same notes separately describe Microsoft Teams and new Outlook launch failures on some ARM devices after KB5121003, and say those issues were resolved in Windows updates released on or after September 8, 2026, including KB5124008. That is a separate issue from the reported game crashes; match your device architecture and symptoms rather than assuming one explanation applies to every failure.
Update and repair the affected app first
Install the app’s own update
For a Microsoft Store app, open Microsoft Store and check for app updates. For a desktop app or game installed from elsewhere, check the publisher’s official site or launcher for an update compatible with your Windows version. Avoid third-party driver or app-download sites.
Use Repair, then Reset if needed
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find the affected app, select its menu, then choose Advanced options if shown.
- Select Repair and test the app again.
- If Repair is unavailable or does not help, consider Reset, then test again.
These controls are not available for every app. Repair is the less disruptive first choice; Reset can remove app data or settings, so preserve anything important and check the app maker’s guidance before using it.
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For a Store app that still fails, Microsoft also recommends reinstalling it through the Store Library. Reinstalling may remove app-local configuration or data, so back up anything the app does not sync before proceeding. Microsoft’s instructions are in Repair apps and programs in Windows and Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store.
Check compatibility and device drivers
For an older app that stopped working
If the app has no update, run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Program Compatibility Troubleshooter. Follow its prompts to test a recommended compatibility setting. Microsoft notes that an app that worked on an earlier Windows version may not support the newer version’s architecture, security changes, or system requirements. Also check the publisher’s compatibility information.
For graphics or peripheral symptoms
Use Windows Update to check for device-driver updates. If the problem points to a graphics driver or a vendor-specific peripheral, follow the official instructions from your PC, GPU, or device maker; do not install an unverified driver. A driver rollback may be appropriate in some cases, but the exact steps vary by device and driver, so use the manufacturer’s guidance rather than guessing.
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Repair Windows files only when the symptoms are broader
DISM and System File Checker (SFC) are worth trying when Windows itself is unstable or there is a reason to suspect corrupted system files. They are not a universal remedy for one isolated game crash, and they do not verify that the app’s own files or compatibility are healthy.
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- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Run
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealthand wait for it to finish. - Run
sfc /scannowand wait for verification to complete.
Microsoft’s guidance is to run DISM before SFC. DISM normally uses Windows Update as its repair source. See Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files.
Compare troubleshooting options by scope and disruption
| Option | What it targets | Relative disruption | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check known issues and app updates | A documented Windows regression or app bug | Low | First, before changing system state |
| Repair the app | App installation or state | Low | The app offers Repair |
| Reset or reinstall the app | App state or package | Moderate; app data or settings may be affected | Repair fails, particularly for a Store app |
| Compatibility troubleshooter or driver update | Older-app compatibility or a device driver | Low to moderate | Compatibility or display symptoms point to this branch |
| DISM followed by SFC | Windows system components | Moderate; requires administrator access and time | Multiple Windows symptoms or suspected system-file corruption |
| Uninstall a recent update | A Windows change introduced by that update | Higher system impact | The timing link remains convincing after narrower checks |
| Reset or reinstall Windows | Broad operating-system problems | High | As a last resort after backup and other recovery options |
Uninstall an update only after narrower fixes fail
If the crashes began after a specific update and app-level steps have not helped, uninstalling that update is a recovery option. First back up important files and check Microsoft’s recovery guidance: some updates cannot be uninstalled. The steps and available choices depend on the installed Windows version and update.
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Going back to a previous Windows version after an upgrade is a separate recovery choice and is available only within a limited period after the upgrade. Resetting or reinstalling Windows has much broader consequences than removing one update; do not start there for a single crashing app. See Recovery options in Windows.
Account for Windows 10 support status
Microsoft says support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. Its app-repair guidance does not mean Windows 10 continues to receive ongoing free Windows Update support. For a Windows 10 device, check Microsoft’s support information and the app or device maker’s compatibility guidance when deciding what updates remain available.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsQuick Recap
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