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Windows 11 out-of-band update fixes audio glitch and other bugs – grab it now
The latest out-of-band update resolves a few problems in Windows 11, including one that cut off the sound for certain USB audio devices.
Microsoft has released an out-of-band patch to squash an annoying audio bug in Windows 11.
Also: The latest Windows 11 update may mess with your device’s audio – here’s the workaround
The patch launched on Monday for Windows 11 26H2, 25H2, and 24H2, and resolves a glitch that prevented audio from playing on certain headsets, speakers, and other USB-connected devices. Specifically, the problem impacted USB Audio Class 1.0 devices, which use an older, legacy audio driver introduced back in Windows 98.
Windows 11 users impacted by the bug could encounter any of the following issues:
Until the new patch, the only workaround was switching your audio device from 8-channel or 3D audio to standard stereo mode.
The glitch didn’t just spring up out of the blue. Instead, the issue came with Microsoft’s Sept. 8 security update. While these monthly updates are supposed to fix security bugs and other issues, they can create new problems.
Also: Latest Windows 11 update restores your taskbar control, patches 995 security flaws
The one saving grace this time was that only older devices are affected. Today’s audio devices typically connect to a PC using a more modern standard known as USB Audio Class 2.0, or via a regular audio jack or wirelessly through Bluetooth.
Still, the bug was severe enough to prompt Microsoft to issue an out-of-band patch, which it does only if it can’t wait for the next regular round of Windows updates. Beyond the audio issue, the patch also addresses a couple of security flaws and other issues.