Windows 11 Update Crashes Games Due to RGB Lighting Hardware Issue

Microsoft has confirmed that its August update for Windows 11 is causing games to crash due to an issue related to RGB lighting hardware. The problem, which affects users of systems with peripherals or internal components that support RGB features, was first reported by gamers in recent days.

The issue, which Microsoft is currently investigating, appears to be linked to the inpoutx64 driver, a component used by RGB lighting hardware. When this driver interacts with certain games, it can cause Windows 11 to crash with an EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION error.

Games such as ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and THE FINALS have been mentioned in reports of the issue, which can manifest as a game freezing or crashing without warning. Microsoft has provided a workaround for users affected by the problem, involving the temporary disabling of the inpoutx64 driver via the Windows Registry.

The company warns that disabling this registry key may lead to unintended behavior with RGB functions on peripherals or components, and advises users to be cautious when attempting to resolve the issue. Microsoft is continuing to investigate the root cause of the problem and will provide further details as they become available.