If you installed the April 14 cumulative update for Windows 11 and your PC is now stuck in a reboot loop, crashing at the desktop, or showing weird pixelated artifacts on screen, you're not alone. This is a known issue with KB5083769 affecting a subset of hardware.

Here's how to get out of it.

Quick Fix: Uninstall the Update

The fastest way to recover is to uninstall KB5083769 from Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

If you can still boot into Windows:

# Run as Administrator
wusa /uninstall /kb:5083769 /quiet /norestart

Restart after it completes. If that fails, use the Settings path:

  1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history
  2. Click Uninstall updates
  3. Find KB5083769 in the list
  4. Click Uninstall, then restart

If you're stuck in a reboot loop:

  1. Force-shutdown the PC three times in a row by holding the power button during boot. Windows will enter Automatic Repair mode.
  2. Select Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates
  3. Choose Uninstall latest quality update
  4. Let it complete and restart

What's Actually Happening

The April 14 update (builds 26200.8246 and 26100.8246) introduced a conflict affecting certain hardware configurations. Affected systems report:

  • Explorer.exe crashing immediately after login
  • Repeated reboot loops that don't self-resolve
  • Pixelated or corrupted display output during boot or in recovery screens

The issue isn't universal. It's hitting a subset of laptops and desktops, likely related to specific GPU drivers or firmware versions. Microsoft has received feedback via the Windows Feedback Hub but hasn't released a patch or official mitigation as of late April 2026.

If the Update Won't Uninstall

If standard uninstall doesn't work, try System Restore:

  1. Boot into WinRE (same power-button method above)
  2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore
  3. Pick a restore point dated before April 14, 2026
  4. Follow the prompts

System Restore won't affect your personal files, but it will remove apps and drivers installed after that date.

Safe Mode Workaround

If you need the PC functional while you sort out a longer fix:

  1. Boot into WinRE, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings
  2. Press 4 to boot into Safe Mode
  3. Once in Safe Mode, uninstall the update via Settings or PowerShell as shown above

For IT Admins and PNW Businesses

If you manage multiple Windows 11 machines, hold off deploying KB5083769 until Microsoft releases a fix or clarification. Test April updates on a pilot machine before pushing to the fleet.

You can pause updates on individual machines for up to 35 days:

# Pause Windows Update for 14 days (run as Administrator)
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings" -Name "PauseUpdatesExpiryTime" -Value ((Get-Date).AddDays(14).ToString("yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ"))

Microsoft's Windows 11 release health dashboard is the place to watch for an official fix or servicing stack update.

Dealing with update problems on business machines? Rain City Techworks supports small businesses in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Get in touch if your team needs help.