Windows 11 Update Traps Users in Endless Reboot Nightmare - Microsoft Silent as Chaos Spreads

For thousands of Windows 11 users, a routine security update has turned into a digital disaster. What was supposed to be a straightforward Patch Tuesday rollout has instead locked users out of their systems, as computers plunge into a relentless cycle of reboots - leaving home offices and corporate networks paralyzed, and Microsoft seemingly slow to react.

The trouble began after Microsoft pushed out KB5077181, a cumulative security update meant to patch dozens of vulnerabilities, including several critical zero-days. Instead, users flocked to forums like Reddit to report a far more urgent problem: their computers were stuck in endless restart loops immediately after installation. Some reported over 15 consecutive reboots, with the desktop never loading and, in some cases, only fleeting glimpses of cryptic error messages before another automatic restart.

Among the errors, a particularly ominous one stood out: “A specified procedure could not be found,” linked to the System Event Notification Service (SENS). Even those who managed to briefly access the desktop found internet connectivity crippled, thanks to DHCP failures, despite a seemingly healthy network connection. For IT departments, the scenario spells disaster - busted endpoints, lost productivity, and a scramble for workarounds.

Technical sleuths dug into the update logs and discovered error codes 0x800f0983 and 0x800f0991, often pointing to deep incompatibilities between the update, hardware drivers, or the Windows servicing stack. Ironically, KB5077181 was supposed to improve system security, incorporating fixes from previous releases and adding new Secure Boot certificates to address expiring certifications. Major gaming fixes and WPA3 Wi-Fi improvements were also bundled in, but those benefits are now overshadowed by the catastrophic boot failures.

Microsoft’s official release notes and Windows Health Dashboard remain conspicuously silent, with no mention of “known issues” even as user complaints mount. For those lucky enough to still access Windows, uninstalling the update via Control Panel is recommended - followed by pausing further updates. For bricked systems, recovery involves booting into Windows Recovery Environment and executing a series of command-line maneuvers, such as forcibly uninstalling the update and running system file checks - tasks far beyond the average user’s comfort zone.

As the crisis unfolds, the silence from Redmond is deafening. With trust shaken and productivity stalled, users are left to wonder: how did a critical security update become a liability, and when will Microsoft break its silence to offer real solutions?

WIKICROOK

• Patch Tuesday: Patch Tuesday is Microsoft’s monthly event for releasing security updates and patches to fix vulnerabilities in its software, typically on the second Tuesday.
• Zero: A zero-day vulnerability is a hidden security flaw unknown to the software maker, with no fix available, making it highly valuable and dangerous to attackers.
• Servicing stack: A Servicing Stack is the Windows component that manages and installs system updates, ensuring the operating system stays current and secure.
• Secure Boot: Secure Boot is a security feature that verifies software integrity at startup, blocking unauthorized or tampered code from running on your device.
• DHCP: DHCP automates IP address assignment and network configuration, simplifying device setup and reducing administrative errors in both small and large networks.