Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in Windows that impacts the audio on certain computers following the installation of cumulative updates from January 2025.
The issue impacts various editions of the operating system, including Windows 11 versions 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2, as well as Windows 10.
The issue appears to primarily impact systems utilizing USB-connected digital-to-analog converters, particularly those reliant on USB 1.0 audio drivers.
The issue was initially observed by the Latest Windows website, which pointed out that computer sound stopped functioning right after the installation of the January update for Windows 11 (24H2).
Microsoft has acknowledged issues with USB audio devices following the installation of a security update, particularly if USB 1.0 audio drivers are being used.
There is currently no permanent solution, but Microsoft recommends temporarily unplugging the USB DAC and connecting the audio device directly to the computer. Microsoft is working on a fix and plans to release an update in a future operating system version.
Pedro Cortella, a futuristic and digital strategist specializing in Education, mentioned in an interview with the iG Portal that the bug reveals shortcomings in Microsoft’s testing process, particularly in detecting issues with external hardware.
The company offers beta testing programs like Windows Insider, but these tests may not always accurately represent end users’ actual usage. To safeguard your system, it is recommended to keep system restore points active, try critical updates on a secondary device before applying them to the main one, and ideally wait for community feedback before installing major updates. It is advisable not to rush into updating if your system is functioning correctly.
What next?
Cortella suggests better solutions than simply unplugging the USB DAC to address the issue.
One way is to reinstall audio drivers manually, including those for Windows, sound card, or DAC. Another possibility is to see if there is a previous, reliable driver on the manufacturer’s site and temporarily revert to it,” he elaborates.
Disabling automatic Windows updates for drivers can prevent the issue from recurring until Microsoft releases an official solution.