Microsoft has confirmed a new problem in the Windows 11 KB5073455 update that prevents some computers from shutting down or entering hibernation properly. Instead of powering off, affected systems restart automatically.
The issue appears after installing the January 13, 2026 security update KB5073455 for Windows 11 version 23H2. Microsoft acknowledged the problem in its official Windows Release Health Dashboard.
According to Microsoft, the bug is related to Secure Launch, a security feature that uses virtualisation-based protection to guard systems against firmware-level threats during startup.
Importantly, Microsoft says this update was mainly pushed to Enterprise and IoT editions of Windows 11 23H2, meaning most regular home users were unlikely to receive it automatically.
Microsoft Expands the Scope of the Problem
In a follow-up update, Microsoft confirmed that the issue also affects systems that support Secure Launch and have Virtual Secure Mode (VSM) enabled. The company says this specific case will be fixed in a future Windows update.
Microsoft also confirmed that the problem is not limited to Windows 11. Several versions of Windows 10 are affected as well.
Affected Versions:
- Windows 11, version 23H2
- Windows 10, version 22H2
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019
Microsoft’s Fix: Two Updates Required
To address the shutdown issue, Microsoft has rolled out fixes in two separate updates.
First Fix — KB5077797 (January 17, 2026)
Microsoft has released an emergency out-of-band update, KB5077797 (OS Build 22631.6494), to fix the Secure Launch problem. However, this update was only available through the Microsoft Update Catalogue, meaning users had to manually download it.
Second Fix — KB5078132 (January 24, 2026)
A broader fix arrived with KB5078132 (OS Build 22631.6495), which is available through Windows Update for systems that installed one of the affected January updates.
Microsoft says this update is cumulative, meaning it includes:
- All protections from KB5073455 (January 13)
- Fixes from KB5077797 (January 17)
- Additional improvements, including a fix for an app freezing issue related to cloud storage workflows
What’s Next?
While this shutdown bug has caused frustration for some users, Microsoft is already working on further updates to fully resolve the remaining VSM-related issues.
A new Windows update is expected soon to completely address all affected scenarios and prevent similar problems in the future.