Windows 11 January Update Caused Shutdown Issues, Now Patched
Many Windows 11 users experienced a bizarre issue after installing the January 2026 update: their computers would restart instead of shutting down or hibernating when the power button was pressed. Engadget first reported on the problem.
microsoft has now released an out-of-band update to address the issue. The update also resolves a bug that affected remote access functionality.
Secure launch and the Root Cause
According to Microsoft, the shutdown and hibernation problems occurred when the Secure Launch feature was enabled. Secure Launch is a security feature designed to protect computers from firmware-level attacks during startup.The recent update inadvertently interfered with this process,causing the restart behavior.
Users can install the fix through the Windows Update section in the Settings app (Settings > Windows Update).
Remaining Issues with the January Update
While the shutdown issue is resolved, some users are still reporting problems following the January security update. Windows Latest notes reports of black screens, freezes, Outlook Classic crashes, and issues with Azure Virtual Desktop. Microsoft is reportedly working on fixes for these remaining problems.
Microsoft Discontinues Lens App
In related news, Microsoft has discontinued its Lens scanning request. Users are encouraged to explore choice scanning apps. HVG provides more data on this change.
Published: 2026/01/19 10:47:25
