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Bugs Killed

Windows

My games crash with EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION since the August Windows update

After the Windows update released August 11, 2026, some PCs cannot run certain games. The game freezes or closes, an EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION error appears, or the PC restarts on its own. Microsoft traced it to old kernel drivers named like inpoutx64 that ship with RGB lighting software, and shipped a block that disables the driver.

Affects

Versions

  • Windows 11, version 24H2
  • Windows 11, version 25H2

Builds and updates

  • KB5121003
  • OS Build 26100.9168

Apps

  • ARC Raiders
  • MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls
  • THE FINALS

Hardware

  • Peripherals and internal components with RGB lighting features

What you see

  • "The game application becomes unresponsive"
  • The game application closes without notice
  • The error "EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION" is displayed
  • The device restarts without warning

Why it happens

Confirmed Microsoft's investigation confirms the issue is not caused by Windows updates. It is related to "peripherals or internal device components which have RGB lighting features", which install drivers or code components with file names similar to inpoutx64. On systems where these drivers are found, launching certain games triggers the issue. [1] [2] [3]

When it shows up

A home PC that Microsoft's automatic driver block can reach

You are in this case if:

  • The PC is not managed by an IT department
  • Update history lists KB5121003 or a later update
  • The PC has RGB lighting hardware or RGB control software installed
  • ARC Raiders is installed

2 fixes below

A work PC whose updates an IT department manages, where the automatic block does not arrive

You are in this case if:

  • Settings > Windows Update says updates are managed by your organization
  • The crash still happens a day or more after a restart
  • RGB control software for a keyboard, mouse, fan, or cooler is installed

1 fix below

The steps that killed it

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Keeping it away

  • Keep RGB lighting software up to date, since the component at fault is an old kernel driver that ships with it.
  • When a game starts crashing right after a Windows update, check the Windows release health page before reinstalling drivers.

Sources

  1. Windows 11, version 24H2 known issues and notifications
    Microsoft Learn, 2026-09-12
  2. Windows 11's August update is crashing games: Microsoft explains why
    PCWorld, 2026-08-24
  3. Windows 11 KB5121003: Game crashes caused by inpoutx64
    igor'sLAB, 2026-08-25
  4. How to back up and restore the registry in Windows
    Microsoft Support

First seen 2026-08-19 · Vendor status fixed · Fixed in A driver block that prevents inpoutx64 from loading, propagating from August 26, 2026 and included in the September 2026 Windows security updates · Last verified 2026-09-14