Windows 11 shutdown bug confirmed: KB5073455 blamed

Microsoft’s Windows release health dashboard lists a confirmed issue in which some systems fail to shut down or enter hibernation and instead restart after installing the January 13, 2026, Windows security update KB5073455 for Windows 11 version 23H2.

Microsoft describes the affected feature as Secure Launch, which uses virtualization-based security to help protect systems from firmware-level threats during startup.

A notable scope detail: Microsoft says KB5073455 is only offered for Enterprise and IoT editions of Windows 11 version 23H2, which narrows the number of consumer PCs likely to receive it directly through normal channels.

Microsoft expanded the impact note to include VSM

In an update on the same release health entry, Microsoft added that Secure Launch-capable PCs with Virtual Secure Mode (VSM) enabled are also impacted. Microsoft says it plans to resolve the VSM case in a future Windows update.

Affected platforms include Windows 10.

Microsoft’s “Affected platforms” list for this issue includes:

• Windows 11, version 23H2
• Windows 10, version 22H2
• Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021
• Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019

Microsoft’s mitigation path: KB5077797 first, then KB5078132 via Windows Update

Microsoft says a fix for devices with Secure Launch (but not the VSM scenario) was included in an out-of-band update released January 17, 2026: KB5077797 (OS Build 22631.6494). Microsoft notes this package is only available via the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Microsoft also states the same solution is included in a later out-of-band update released January 24, 2026: KB5078132 (OS Build 22631.6495), which is available via Windows Update for devices that installed one of the January updates associated with the issue.

Microsoft adds that KB5078132 is cumulative and includes protections/improvements from both KB5073455 (January 13) and KB5077797 (January 17), plus additional fixes (including an app unresponsiveness issue tied to cloud storage workflows). 

While this has been a blow for Microsoft, the firm looks to be releasing a new update soon...