Nvidia Confirms Windows 11 January Update Causing Gaming Issues, Recommends Uninstallation

Nvidia has officially acknowledged that the Windows 11 KB5074109 January 2026 security update is causing widespread gaming performance issues for GeForce graphics card owners, recommending users uninstall the update as a temporary workaround while the company investigates the underlying problems.

The confirmation came from Manuel, a Nvidia representative on the official GeForce forums, who stated: "Even though it started after a Windows 11 update, we are looking into it. As far as I know, the only way to resolve it appears to be uninstalling KB5074109."

Performance Impact and Symptoms

The issues reported by affected users range from moderate to severe, with the most common complaints including:

• Framerate drops: Users reporting losses of 15-20 FPS in games
• Gaming artifacts: Visual glitches and rendering errors
• Black screens: Complete display failures during gameplay
• System instability: Random crashes and freezes

Interestingly, the problems appear to be isolated to GeForce graphics card users, with no widespread reports of similar issues from AMD Radeon users. This suggests the conflict may be specific to how Windows 11 interacts with Nvidia's driver architecture.

Update Background and Security Context

The KB5074109 update was released as a mandatory security patch addressing 114 security vulnerabilities, making it a critical update from a security standpoint. The update also resolved several non-security issues, including battery drain problems on systems equipped with Neural Processing Units (NPUs).

However, the update's problematic nature extends beyond gaming issues. Microsoft itself acknowledged that KB5074109 was preventing some systems from booting correctly, forcing affected users to rely on Windows Recovery to restore normal operation.

Microsoft's Response and Alternative Fixes

In response to the mounting complaints, Microsoft has released additional updates to address some of the issues:

• KB5074105: An optional update specifically targeting the black screen problem
• Additional patches aimed at improving system stability

However, KB5074105 is not automatically installed as part of the standard Windows Update process, requiring users to manually download and install it if they wish to try this alternative fix.

How to Check and Remove the Update

For users experiencing gaming issues and wanting to determine if KB5074109 is installed:

1. Navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Update history
2. Look for KB5074109 in the installed updates list
3. If present and causing issues, use the uninstall option in the same section

The update is mandatory, meaning most systems will have it installed automatically unless Windows updates were disabled.

Recommendations for Affected Users

Nvidia's recommendation to uninstall KB5074109 comes with important caveats:

• Security trade-off: Removing the update leaves your system vulnerable to the 114 security flaws it addresses
• Selective approach: If your gaming system is functioning normally, it's advisable to keep the update installed for security benefits
• Monitor for fixes: Both Microsoft and Nvidia are actively working on permanent solutions

Industry Impact and Timeline

The timing of this issue is particularly problematic, as it coincides with the release of two Nvidia GeForce driver updates (versions 582.28 and 591.86) in the same month. This led to initial confusion about whether the drivers or the Windows update were responsible for the performance degradation.

However, the consistent reports from users who resolved their issues by uninstalling KB5074109 have shifted the focus to the Windows update as the primary culprit.

Looking Forward

Both Microsoft and Nvidia are expected to collaborate on a comprehensive fix that addresses the compatibility issues without compromising system security. In the meantime, users must weigh the security benefits of keeping the update against the gaming performance and stability issues it may cause.

For gamers who rely on their systems for competitive play or content creation, the performance impact could be significant enough to justify the security trade-off until a proper fix is deployed.

The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining compatibility between operating system updates and graphics driver ecosystems, particularly as both Microsoft and Nvidia continue to push the boundaries of gaming performance and security features.