The January 2026 Update KB5074109 for Windows 11 has led to performance issues for Nvidia GPU users, including FPS drops and display problems.
Update Details and Impact
Microsoft released the Windows Update KB5074109 on 2026-01, which affects devices running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Users have reported 15–20 FPS drops in video games, alongside black screen issues and driver crashes, primarily affecting Nvidia GPU performance.
This update introduced unintended challenges for gamers, suggesting a critical need for swift remediation. Although Microsoft has yet to formally acknowledge the problem, community feedback highlights significant disruption.
Temporary Solutions
To mitigate the impact, users have employed several fixes. A common method involves uninstalling the KB5074109 update through system settings. Users can navigate to 'Settings' → 'Windows Update' → 'Update history' → 'Uninstall updates' and remove the security update. Alternatively, the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) provides a way to remove recent updates.
Nvidia has issued a recommendation to install their latest hotfix drivers. This involves using the NVIDIA GeForce Experience or their website to download the necessary drivers. Employing DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) in Safe Mode is advisable to cleanly remove existing drivers before proceeding with the new installation.
What to Monitor Next
It is crucial for users to monitor Microsoft for a corrective patch or Known Issue Rollback (KIT). This issue underscores ongoing pressures in maintaining system compatibility post-update, which remains a top priority for affected users.
Users are advised to pause further Windows updates temporarily until a stable resolution is confirmed. This precautionary measure will help in maintaining gaming experience quality while awaiting a systemic fix from Microsoft.
