Microsoft Confirms AC-3 Audio Bug in Windows 11 KB5124010

Windows 11 KB5124010 can cause apps that rely on built-in AC-3 audio decoding to crash, according to a new issue confirmed by Microsoft. The bug affects Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2, with Microsoft working on a fix for a future update.

KB5124010 breaks AC-3 audio in some Windows 11 apps

Microsoft confirmed that KB5124010 can cause applications that depend on Windows’ built-in AC-3, also known as Dolby Digital, decoder to crash.

The problem affects Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2.

Affected software can close unexpectedly, fail to launch altogether, or crash when users attempt to play media containing AC-3 audio.

Microsoft says the issue primarily affects legacy applications, media tools, and games that rely directly on Dolby Digital decoding components built into Windows.

Modern applications that include their own audio decoders should generally continue working normally because they do not depend on the affected Windows components.

Microsoft has no dedicated workaround yet

Microsoft currently doesn’t offer a specific workaround for the AC-3 decoding problem. The company says it plans to resolve the issue with a future Windows update.

Users who rely on affected software and need it working immediately can uninstall KB5124010.

To remove the update, users can open Settings, go to Windows Update, select Update history, and then open Uninstall updates to locate KB5124010.

Users can also temporarily pause Windows Update after removing the patch to stop Windows 11 from automatically installing it again before Microsoft releases a fix.

Removing a Windows security or cumulative update can also remove other fixes included with it, so users should consider that tradeoff before uninstalling KB5124010.

Microsoft has not provided a release date for the fix.

In other Windows 11 news, Microsoft is expanding its gaming improvements with Advanced Shader Delivery support for Nvidia and Intel GPUs, aiming to reduce shader compilation times and gaming stutter across more hardware.

Via Neowin