Forum Discussion
KB5124008 issue
KB5124008 (26200.9445) prevents HyperX headphones from connecting/working
I am experiencing a reproducible audio/headphone issue after installing the 2026-09 Security Update (KB5124008), OS Build 26200.9445.
My computer is an ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (FA608UM) running Windows 11 Home 25H2.
The affected audio device appears in Device Manager as HyperX Virtual Surround Sound. Its currently installed driver information is:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
Driver Date: 04/09/2026
Driver Version: 10.0.26100.9444
Digital Signer: Microsoft Windows
After KB5124008 is installed, my headphones are no longer able to connect/work correctly with the computer.
I have already spent significant time troubleshooting this issue and eventually isolated KB5124008 as the cause. The behavior is reproducible:
KB5124008 installed → headphones stop connecting/working.
KB5124008 uninstalled → headphones work again.
Windows Update automatically reinstalls KB5124008 → the headphone problem immediately returns.
This has now happened multiple times. Uninstalling the update restores the functionality, but Windows Update automatically downloads and installs KB5124008 again, leaving me with the same problem.
I contacted Microsoft Support regarding the issue and was advised to report it here on Microsoft Tech Community.
I do not want to permanently disable Windows Update, particularly because KB5124008 is a security update. I would like either a fix for the regression introduced by this update or a way to temporarily prevent KB5124008 specifically from reinstalling while continuing to receive other Windows updates.
Given that removing and reinstalling the exact same update consistently changes whether the headphones work, this appears to be a regression associated with KB5124008 rather than a hardware failure.
System information:
ASUS TUF Gaming A16 FA608UM
Windows 11 Home
Version 25H2
OS Build 26200.9445
AMD Ryzen 7 260 with Radeon 780M Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU
16 GB RAM
HyperX Virtual Surround Sound
Microsoft audio driver 10.0.26100.9444 dated 04/09/2026
I can provide additional Device Manager information, hardware IDs, Event Viewer logs, or other diagnostics if required.
I would appreciate it if this issue could be investigated, as I am currently forced to choose between keeping the latest Windows security update installed and having functional headphones.
4 Replies
I have now performed the before/after comparison requested.
I can confirm that uninstalling KB5124008 changes the Microsoft driver used by the HyperX Virtual Surround Sound device.
With KB5124008 installed (broken):
Driver Provider: Microsoft
Driver Date: 04/09/2026
Driver Version: 10.0.26100.9444
Device Manager: “This device cannot start. (Code 10)”
Error: STATUS_DEVICE_DATA_ERROR
HyperX microphone and speaker endpoints do not appear under Audio inputs and outputs.
With KB5124008 uninstalled (working):
Driver Provider: Microsoft
Driver Date: 22/07/2026
Driver Version: 10.0.26100.8972
Device Manager: “This device is working properly.”
Both “Microphone (HyperX Virtual Surround Sound)” and “Speakers (HyperX Virtual Surround Sound)” appear normally under Audio inputs and outputs.
The hardware IDs are identical in both states:
USB\VID_0951&PID_16A4&REV_0030&MI_00
USB\VID_0951&PID_16A4&MI_00
Therefore, the same HyperX USB audio hardware works with Microsoft driver 10.0.26100.8972 but fails to start with Microsoft driver 10.0.26100.9444 installed by KB5124008.
I have reproduced this multiple times by installing and uninstalling KB5124008. This appears to narrow the regression to the newer Microsoft USB audio driver/component included with the update.
Your uninstall-and-reinstall test gives a reproducible association between KB5124008 and the HyperX failure, but it does not yet identify the faulty component. Microsoft's published update notes do not currently identify a HyperX fix or a release date for one. Capture the headset's hardware IDs, Device Manager status, and driver details before and after installation, and add that comparison to your existing support case and Feedback Hub report. Check whether the device manufacturer provides a compatible driver update; avoid unrelated driver-download utilities. A different audio output is a safer temporary workaround if it allows you to retain the security update. Windows Update's Pause updates control is not a per-KB exclusion and therefore does not meet your requirement to keep receiving other updates. I cannot verify a supported selective-blocking procedure for your Windows Home configuration. Repeatedly uninstalling a security update also removes its protections.
It's not just you with this problem. After updating KB5124008, file history is disabled and cannot be enabled. Hopefully, Microsoft will confirm this soon; many people have already been affected.
Hi there,
I have the same issue after downloading the KB5124008 update
Headset - HyperX Cloud Orbit S.
2 Channel, and Hi-Res 2 Channel work fine, but the 7.1/8 channel does not.
System Information:OS Name Microsoft Windows 11 Home
Version 10.0.26200 Build 26200
System Type x64-based PC
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-Core Processor, 4700 Mhz, 8 Core(s), 16 Logical Processor(s)
BaseBoard Manufacturer ASRock
BaseBoard Product B850M-C
I would appreciate it if this issue could be investigated as well.
