Hi Andy, I'm glad there is an update from Nvidia.
After recent Windows update, all Vulkan applications cause complete system freeze
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Andy
45
Reputation points
After a recent Windows 11 update any time I try and load a game or application that uses the Vulkan graphics API, my entire system will freeze and a single error beep sound can be heard.
My GPU is an Nvidia GTX 970.
I have been trying to fix this issue for days now. I have tried lots of different solutions. I've tried multiple different graphics drivers, including previously known good ones. I tried completely reformatting my hard drive.
I think Microsoft introduced a bug in a recent Windows update because the only thing that fixes the issue is reformatting with an old Windows 11 iso (24H2) and disabling updates. All games and applications using Vulkan will then run completely fine.
I don't know how to contact Microsoft to let the developers of Windows know about this issue so they can fix it quickly. It is preventing me from working because I use applications that exclusively rely on Vulkan.
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Display and graphics
{count} votes
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Bozoton Rush 5 Reputation points2026-02-23T11:35:29.49+00:00 I have the same issues on my GTX 750Ti, and it's still happening with the recent Feb 2025 update. The last update that didn't have issues with Vulkan is Dec 2025. The problem isn't driver-related as both old (577.xx branch) and new drivers (including 582.28 and 582.35 beta) crash on newer Win10/11 version, but works perfectly fine on Dec 2025 version or earlier of Win10/11.
This issue happen on both Windows 10 and 11.
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Laura Nunn 0 Reputation points2026-02-24T01:38:43.48+00:00 Also having the same issue with a gtx 970.
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Baifox 0 Reputation points2026-03-05T20:10:48.81+00:00 I have the same problem. I have a 970 and I use Windows 10, and I can't uninstall the problematic update. The same error occurs with any version of the NVIDIA driver, so it's a problem with that update. Let's hope Microsoft fixes it; that graphics card is still serving me well.
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Andy 45 Reputation points
2026-03-06T00:27:08.6666667+00:00 I reported this to Nvidia and they said the next release of the driver will fix it.
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Antonis Sarris 105 Reputation points
2026-03-06T00:52:33.6133333+00:00 Hello! How did you report this to Nvidia? As I'm having the same problem I can report it as well.
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I Nyoman Wirahadibawa 0 Reputation points2026-03-06T08:46:02.6+00:00 So Nvidia driver is the culprit?
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nelson paul carbajal chipana 5 Reputation points2026-03-11T11:31:33.5333333+00:00 solucionado con la actualización KB5079473
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Antonis Sarris 105 Reputation points
2026-03-11T14:34:20.46+00:00 The previous comment mentioned that it's fixed in update: KB5079473, kindly confirm. Thanks.
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Bur Li 0 Reputation points2026-03-12T19:26:41.4+00:00 I can confirm it has been fixed in Windows 10 (Version 22H2) by installing the MS Update KB5078885). Tested with Doom (2016), Doom Eternal and GZDoom. Using GTX 970 with my good old i7-2700K. Hope there will be a solution for Win11 soon.
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Antonis Sarris 105 Reputation points
2026-03-12T19:28:28.1866667+00:00 Still nothing for windows 11, makes you think which OS is really EOL.
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18 answers
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Lester Bernard Reyes 75,495 Reputation points Independent Advisor2026-03-07T02:52:17.3966667+00:00 -
Antonis Sarris 105 Reputation points
2026-03-07T15:45:03.8166667+00:00 wait so did an update come fixing it? I thought OP just reported it
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Antonis Sarris 105 Reputation points
2026-03-12T07:00:20.9033333+00:00 The problem has to do with Microsoft my friend, we are waiting on Microsoft to release an update, not Nvidia. And after the Windows 11 25H2 March update, we still face the same issue, but they fixed it on Windows 10. Please report the problem to Microsoft.
I have also made a feedback about this, please upvote so it gets recognized and fixed as soon as possible: https://aka.ms/AAzzc3l
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Bur Li 0 Reputation points
2026-03-12T19:26:13.28+00:00 I can confirm it has been fixed in Windows 10 (Version 22H2) by installing the MS Update KB5078885). Tested with Doom (2016), Doom Eternal and GZDoom. Using GTX 970 with my good old i7-2700K. Hope there will be a solution for Win11 soon.
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Antonis Sarris 105 Reputation points
2026-03-02T13:55:43.9033333+00:00 I have also made a feedback about this, please upvote so it gets recognized and fixed as soon as possible: https://aka.ms/AAzzc3l
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Antonis Sarris 105 Reputation points
2026-03-11T16:19:15.5533333+00:00 I'm currently on update KB5079473 and I'm still facing the same issue.
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Bozoton Rush 5 Reputation points
2026-02-23T11:40:38.0866667+00:00 I have Nvidia GTX 750 Ti and it had the same exact issues. This seems to affect all Maxwell-based card (GeForce 745/750/750Ti and 900 series card). Regardless of driver versions (577.xx, 581.80, 582.28 and beta 582.35 driver), they all crash every time you try to run Vulkan games or software (except certain basic 2D GUI application that was rendered in Vulkan, these worked fine). This happen on both Win10/11.
The only way to solve this issue is uninstall all updates installed since Jan 13, 2026 (like KB5073724) and stick with Dec 2025 security update, pause Windows Update (temporarily), then wait for next Windows update (and/or NVIDIA drivers update) to come out.
Also there's a chance that uninstalling the update may fail (it did happen on mine aswell), so reinstalling Windows is the only way to uninstall the update.
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I Nyoman Wirahadibawa 0 Reputation points
2026-02-23T12:36:59.2633333+00:00 Hi, do you mean that I need to uninstall all security updates on 2026 (no 1-3) to try make the vulkan works again?
Here's my installed updates so far:
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Bozoton Rush 5 Reputation points
2026-02-25T05:22:18.74+00:00 ^ Yes. Any security/cumulative updates installed since January 13, 2026 needs to be removed in order to get Vulkan working.
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