Windows 11 PCs Fail to Shut Down After January Security Update
On Tue, Jan 13, 2026, a security update for Windows 11 was released by Microsoft, resulting in a bug where affected PCs restart instead of shutting down or hibernating. This issue is linked to update KB5073455, specifically targeting OS Build 22621.6491…
On Tue, Jan 13, 2026, a security update for Windows 11 was released by Microsoft, resulting in a bug where affected PCs restart instead of shutting down or hibernating. This issue is linked to update KB5073455, specifically targeting OS Build 22621.6491 on Windows 11 version 23H2. The problem, first reported on Jan 15, stems from interference with the Secure Launch feature, part of the System Guard suite in Windows, which protects the boot process from firmware threats.
The issue impacts only the Enterprise and IoT editions of Windows 11 23H2, and does not affect the Home and Pro versions or any server platforms such as Windows Server. Systems with Secure Launch enabled are primarily affected, a common setup in enterprise environments requiring high security standards such as NIST or zero-trust architectures.
Administrators in sectors like finance and government have reported widespread occurrences, raising concerns about power management reliability. Although not a direct vulnerability, the bug can lead to faster battery drainage and potential data loss due to devices being trapped in restart loops.
This issue is linked to update KB5073455, specifically targeting OS Build 22621.6491 on Windows 11 version 23H2.
Microsoft has provided a temporary solution for shutdowns through the Command Prompt. Users can initiate an immediate power-off by executing shutdown /s /t 0 in the Command Prompt, thus bypassing the GUI failure. No workaround is available for hibernation, so users are advised to perform full shutdowns to prevent data loss.
A permanent fix is anticipated in an upcoming update. Meanwhile, disabling Secure Launch through Group Policy (Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard) can restore functionality but may reduce boot integrity. This requires careful consideration by IT teams, especially regarding potential firmware attack vectors.
This situation highlights the complexities of monthly Patch Tuesday updates and underscores the importance of thorough testing, particularly for security-enhanced configurations.
Based on reporting by Cyber Security News.
