Microsoft has confirmed that the September Patch Tuesday security update for Windows 11 is causing USB audio devices to fail on some systems, and the company has not yet identified a workaround. The issue affects machines running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, as well as 26H1 through a companion update.
The problem is documented on Microsoft’s support page for the September 8, 2026 security update, KB5124008, where it appears under the known issues section. According to Microsoft, only USB Audio Class 1.0 devices are affected, though the company has not disclosed how many users are impacted.
- Microsoft confirmed the issue on the support page for security update KB5124008, released September 8, 2026.
- Affected devices may show a “This device cannot start (Code 10)” error in Device Manager, produce no audio, or have unresponsive volume and sound settings.
- The problem is limited to USB Audio Class 1.0 devices on Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1 via update KB5124012.
- Some devices still work in standard stereo but fail in multichannel modes; some users have restored audio by switching to 2-channel output.
- Microsoft says no workaround is currently available and it is working on a resolution.
Symptoms Range From Silent Output to Broken Controls
Microsoft lists several symptoms that affected devices might exhibit. In some cases the device fails to start entirely and displays a Code 10 error in Device Manager. In others, the device appears to function but produces no sound, or the volume controls become unresponsive and stuck at zero. Sound settings themselves may also become unresponsive or unavailable.
The failure pattern is not entirely uniform. Microsoft notes that some devices continue to work in standard stereo configurations but stop functioning when multichannel features are used, including 8-channel or 3D audio modes. The company says some customers have been able to restore audio in these cases by switching to 2-channel mode the closest thing to a temporary fix, though it applies only to that specific scenario and does not address devices that fail to start at all.
Affected Versions and Devices
The issue was introduced by KB5124008, the September 2026 Patch Tuesday security update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Systems running version 26H1 are affected through a separate update, KB5124012.
Scope is limited to USB Audio Class 1.0 devices, an older USB audio standard still found in a range of headsets, DACs, microphones, and speakers. Newer USB Audio Class 2.0 devices are not mentioned in Microsoft’s advisory.
No Workaround, No Timeline
As of this writing, Microsoft states there is no known workaround for the problem. The company says it is working on a resolution and will update the support page when more information becomes available, but it has not provided a timeline for a fix.
That leaves affected users with limited options. Those whose devices still work in stereo can switch to 2-channel mode as a partial mitigation. Users who rely on multichannel or 3D audio, or whose devices no longer start at all, may need to wait for Microsoft’s fix or use a different audio output in the meantime.
Patch Tuesday updates are security releases pushed automatically to millions of machines, which means the affected population could include users who did not manually install anything. Microsoft’s known issues entry does not indicate whether an affected device can be recovered by uninstalling the update, and the company has not suggested that step as an official workaround.