Microsoft Confirms January Update Issues: Audio Problems Hit Windows PCs

Microsoft has acknowledged that the January 2025 Windows security updates are causing audio playback problems on some systems equipped with external DACs (digital-to-analog converters). These devices, widely used in home setups, professional music studios, and portable audio players, are essential for enhancing sound quality and converting digital signals to analog for playback.
The issue affects systems running Windows 24H2 (KB5050009), Windows 10 22H2 (KB5049981), Windows Server 2019 (KB5050008), and Windows Server 2016 (KB5049993) when DACs rely on USB 1.0 audio drivers. Users experiencing this problem may encounter an error message in Device Manager stating, "This device cannot start. (Code 10) Insufficient system resources exist to complete the API."
Microsoft has not yet clarified the root cause of these problems or added the issue to the Windows release health dashboard. However, the company has advised affected users to bypass the problem by avoiding DACs and directly connecting their audio devices to the PC. A fix is currently being developed, and more details will be provided as they become available.
In a related issue, Microsoft is also investigating a bug specific to Windows 24H2 systems where game audio unexpectedly increases to full volume when using Creative Sound BlasterX G6 USB DACs. Additionally, earlier this month, the company removed Windows 11 upgrade blocks related to Assassin's Creed compatibility and resolved a bug that prevented Windows Server 2022 systems with multiple NUMA nodes from starting.
For now, users encountering audio issues are encouraged to monitor Microsoft's official updates for further guidance and permanent fixes.
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TODAY WINDOWS 11 OPTIONALLY OFFERED ME KB5050094 AND KB5050108, BRINGING ME TO 24H2 26100.3037 WITH NO OBSERVED PROBLEMS.
Its time Microsoft stops being cheap scammers and bring back a QA team and proper developers that know what they are doing.
Soon governments will need to make new laws against sending untested updates to unsuspecting customers. Things have gotten so bad that even Bios and firmware updates are buggy these days. Its like every developer is following in the footsteps of Microsoft and releasing updates to the public without thoroughly testing it inhouse first. Damn.
Windows is genuinely better not updated…
Another month and another series of Windows update issues. Same as always.
You took these words out of my mouth.
Windows is the worst OS, however it’s also the most used. It’s like saying that all of us have the need to use the W.C., despite the poo is clearly insane. Having poo is as good as having W11.