Windows 11's August update breaks games because of RGB lighting drivers
Questions this post answers
Why is Windows 11 crashing games like ARC Raiders and The Finals after the August update?
The August 2026 Patch Tuesday update KB5121003 changed how Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 handle the inpoutx64.sys driver, a file commonly bundled with RGB lighting peripheral software for keyboards, mice, and case lighting. Games that rely on similar low-level system access, including ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals, now crash with EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION errors. daily.dev keeps developers and gamers current on driver-level Windows update regressions like this one.
How do I stop Windows 11 games from crashing due to the inpoutx64 driver after KB5121003?
Microsoft's suggested workaround is editing the Windows Registry to set the inpoutx64 driver's Start value to 4, which disables it. Embark Studios also released a temporary fix that involves manually deleting the offending service and removing the driver file from the Windows drivers folder. Either approach will likely disable RGB lighting controls until a permanent fix ships. track emerging workarounds for driver-related Windows crashes on daily.dev before they hit your machine.
Did the Windows 11 KB5121003 update fix any security vulnerabilities?
Yes, KB5121003 fixed approximately 400 vulnerabilities, including one zero-day that was being actively exploited in the wild. The same patch that introduced the RGB driver crash bug also delivered this substantial security payload, making it a mixed bag for users who game with RGB hardware. developers weighing patch trade-offs between security fixes and regressions can follow update fallout on daily.dev.