**Gaming Chaos Hits Windows 11 Users: Microsoft Issues Temporary Fix**
In a sudden and unexpected twist for gamers, Windows 11 users have been plagued by a series of frustrating issues that prevent games from launching or cause them to crash mid-play. The problem, which affects popular titles like ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals, has left many players scratching their heads and searching for solutions.
According to Microsoft, the root cause of these gaming woes lies in a specific issue related to drivers or components installed by RGB devices on affected Windows systems. When certain games are launched, they trigger an error that causes system instability, crashes, or even unexpected restarts. The company has confirmed that peripherals with RGB lighting features, such as those from popular brands like Razer and SteelSeries, may be the culprit.
Microsoft’s investigation into this issue is ongoing, but in a move to provide temporary relief to gamers, the company has shared a workaround that allows users to disable the problematic inpoutx64 driver using the Windows Registry. This fix requires caution, however, as disabling the driver may lead to unintended consequences, such as issues with RGB features or software used to control them.
To implement this temporary solution, gamers must navigate to the Windows Registry and modify a specific key. Microsoft provides step-by-step instructions for doing so, but warns users that they should back up their registry before making any changes. This is because they may need to revert these modifications after Microsoft resolves the issue in a future update.
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has addressed gaming stability and performance issues caused by Windows updates. In recent months, the company has removed upgrade blocks for certain games and fixed bugs related to Auto HDR features on Windows 11 devices. While these temporary fixes provide some relief, gamers are eager for a more permanent solution that doesn’t require manual registry modifications.
As Microsoft continues to investigate this issue, it’s essential for gamers to stay informed about any updates or patches that may resolve the problem. In the meantime, disabling the inpoutx64 driver using the Windows Registry is a viable workaround, but users should proceed with caution and be prepared to restore their registry if needed.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-08-24