Windows 11 Black Screen Issue Hits Azure Virtual Desktop Users After August 2026 Updates

Microsoft has confirmed that some users may experience desktop loading problems, including a black screen, after installing the August 2026 Preview Update and subsequent Windows updates.

The issue primarily affects Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) hosts that use FSLogix, a software solution designed to speed up user-profile loading in virtual desktop environments.

Windows 11 black screen issue: Symptoms

Users affected by this known issue may encounter several problems, including:

• A black screen after signing in.
• An inability to access the desktop until manually starting a desktop session.
• Application event logs reporting a Windows Explorer crash.

How to temporarily fix the Windows 11 desktop loading problem

Microsoft has not yet provided a permanent fix. The issue affects users who installed KB5120996 for Windows 11 26H1, KB5120998 for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, and this month’s Patch Tuesday updates, KB5124008 and KB5122880.

As a temporary workaround, Microsoft recommends manually starting Windows Explorer:

1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
2. Select Run a new task.
3. Enter explorer.exe.
4. Submit the command to restart Windows Explorer and load the desktop.

Microsoft deploys Known Issue Rollback mitigation

Microsoft has also mitigated the problem for business customers through Known Issue Rollback (KIR), a Windows feature that reverts buggy changes delivered through Windows Update.

IT administrators can apply the mitigation to corporate-managed devices by installing and configuring the appropriate Group Policy for their version of Windows. Microsoft says affected devices may need to be restarted before the policy takes effect.

Microsoft said the Group Policy “will disable the changes that cause this issue until a resolution is released in a future Windows update.”

Administrators can find detailed instructions for deploying and configuring the KIR Group Policy on the Microsoft support website.

Microsoft also fixed a Windows 11 settings issue

Earlier this month, Microsoft resolved another known issue that erased mouse and desktop settings on some Windows 11 systems after installing the optional August 2026 KB5120998 update.

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