Microsoft Windows KB5124010 Update Crashes Games and Apps
Microsoft has confirmed that a recent Windows 11 preview update is causing unexpected crashes in certain games and applications that rely on AC-3 audio decoding.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Windows 11 Preview Update Causes AC-3 Audio Crashes
Microsoft confirmed over the weekend that some games and applications using AC-3 (Dolby Digital) audio decoding will crash after installing the September 2026 KB5124010 Windows 11 preview update. The optional preview update brings numerous improvements but introduces unexpected instability for specific software configurations. Further details are available from BleepingComputer in the original source material.
Because it is an optional preview release, users must click the manual "Download and install" link to obtain it, which limits the total number of potentially affected Windows users. However, the update installs automatically on devices running Windows 11 version 24H2 if the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" option is actively toggled on.
Impact on Games, Media Players, and Productivity Tools
According to details shared on the Windows release health dashboard, the bug manifests in several different ways depending on how the application handles audio integration.
"In some cases the application can fail to launch, or close without warning. In other cases the application will work normally until certain features are used, such as playing music," Microsoft noted. Affected categories vary and can include media players, productivity applications, and video games.
Legacy Applications Most Vulnerable to Code Component Bug
Despite the broad scope of potential software affected, the company added that many modern apps do not rely on Windows for this specific type of encoding and remain completely unaffected.
The underlying code component triggering these unexpected crashes is most commonly found in legacy applications that still depend on Windows built-in audio decoding. Conversely, modern applications that utilize the legacy AC-3 codec frequently bundle their own independent audio decoding components, sparing them from the bug.
Microsoft Investigating Fixes for Audio-Related Bugs
While Microsoft has not yet provided an estimated timeline for when a permanent fix will be released, development teams are actively working to resolve the issue. The company stated that it will share additional information through a future update once a solution is ready.
Audio-related complications have occasionally impacted Windows updates in the past. For example, the company previously rolled out emergency patches to address USB audio problems, and in other instances lifted safeguard holds that had blocked Windows 11 upgrades due to incompatible audio drivers or hardware malfunctions.
Sources
- BleepingComputerMicrosoft: Windows KB5124010 update crashes some games and apps
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