Microsoft Admits Windows 11 KB5127648 Didn't Fix VPN Bug, Shares Workaround

Microsoft has confirmed that an Always On VPN connection issue affecting Windows 11 remains unresolved, despite previously listing it as fixed in the October 2026 cumulative updates.

According to Microsoft’s Windows release health advisory, the company mistakenly marked the issue as resolved on October 13, 2026. Microsoft has since changed its status back to “Mitigated,” confirming that a permanent fix is still in development.

The issue affects devices running Windows 11 version 24H2 and later after installing the September 2026 security updates.

Always On VPN connections can fail or get stuck

The bug affects Always On VPN configurations that use automatic protocol selection or fallback, particularly when switching between IKEv2 and SSTP.

If the initial VPN connection attempt fails, subsequent attempts may become stuck in the “Connecting” state or fail completely. Some users may also encounter the error message “The specified port is already in use.”

The problem can prevent affected devices from establishing VPN connections, potentially disrupting remote access to corporate networks and resources.

Microsoft recommends disabling automatic VPN protocol selection

While Microsoft works on a permanent solution, the company recommends that IT administrators disable automatic protocol selection in affected Always On VPN profiles.

Instead, administrators should configure connections to use either SSTP or IKEv2 exclusively, depending on their organization’s network and security requirements.

This workaround avoids the automatic protocol fallback behavior associated with the connection failures.

Microsoft expects to release a permanent fix in an upcoming Windows update within the next few weeks, although it has not confirmed an exact release date.

The VPN issue is not the only problem affecting the October 2026 updates. Users have also reported installation errors 0x800f0845 and other failures, while Microsoft has confirmed problems with Smart App Control.

Additionally, KB5127648 includes known issues involving Remote Desktop connections and USB audio.

Via BleepingComputer