Windows Server Administrators Left Reeling as September Updates Break Remote Desktop Services
A growing number of Windows Server administrators are reporting a critical issue with this month’s cumulative updates, which is causing Remote Desktop Services (RDS) to fail on servers running Windows Server 2019, 2022, and 2025. The problems arise after installing the September updates, with many admins finding that RDS servers work normally for a few hours before connections start failing. In some cases, existing sessions may not be able to disconnect or log off properly, while new connection attempts can hang during the process.
The issues are reportedly widespread, affecting all Windows Server releases, and have been confirmed by multiple administrators on social media platforms and in online forums. For instance, one reader posted on our Patch Tuesday article that “all terminal servers in our environment are failing (sessions dropping, no new connections possible, only solution is a hard reset) within a day.” Another administrator reported similar problems, stating that Remote Desktop Services initially worked normally after installing the September update but began failing after users logged out. Restarting the server did not resolve the problem, however rolling back the September update resolved the issues.
The root cause of the issue remains unclear, although one administrator investigating Server 2022 reported a deadlock between Remote Desktop and the Local Session Manager when debugging the issue. However, Microsoft has yet to confirm this as the cause of the failures or provide any information on a potential fix or mitigation. In fact, BleepingComputer contacted Microsoft to ask about the reported problems but received no response at the time of publication.
The implications of these issues are significant, especially considering that the September updates also include security fixes for various vulnerabilities. Administrators who have rolled back the September updates say doing so restores Remote Desktop functionality, but this action would also remove the security patches included in this month’s Patch Tuesday release. This raises questions about how to balance system security with operational stability.
For those affected by these issues, there is no straightforward solution at present. However, administrators can take steps to mitigate the problem by monitoring their RDS servers closely and being prepared to roll back the September updates if necessary. In the meantime, it’s essential for Windows Server administrators to be aware of this issue and plan accordingly.
In terms of practical advice, administrators should keep a close eye on their systems’ performance after installing the September updates and be prepared to act quickly if they encounter any issues with Remote Desktop Services. It’s also crucial to weigh the benefits of keeping the security patches included in the September updates against the potential risks of rolling back the update and losing the security fixes. By staying vigilant and taking proactive steps, administrators can minimize the impact of this issue and ensure business continuity.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-09-10