Windows 11’s Latest Update Breaks DRM Video — Fixes and Workarounds Inside

on


If your Blu-ray, DVD, or digital TV apps suddenly stopped working on Windows 11, the August 2025 update may be the culprit. Microsoft has confirmed that the optional August preview update can break DRM video playback, with similar symptoms continuing after September’s cumulative update. The issue shows up as black screens, freezes, or frequent interruptions—especially in apps that rely on the Enhanced Video Renderer (EVR) with HDCP enforcement. Here’s what’s going on and what you can do now.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE AUGUST WINDOWS 11 UPDATE

In late August, Microsoft shipped a non-security preview update for Windows 11 24H2 (KB5064081). Shortly after installing it, some users reported that DRM-protected content no longer played correctly in Blu-ray/DVD software and certain digital TV apps. A subset saw playback fail with copyright errors or black screens, while others experienced stutter and frequent interruptions.

September’s cumulative update for 24H2 (KB5065426) did not fully resolve the behavior for affected systems. In many cases, the symptoms persisted because the underlying change involved how EVR interacts with HDCP/DRM checks. That means machines updated in late August or September can be impacted until Microsoft ships a dedicated fix.

[NOTE] “Optional preview” updates often include non-security changes that will roll into the following month’s Patch Tuesday. If an optional update introduces a regression, the same issue may reappear in the next cumulative release.

WHO IS AFFECTED AND WHAT YOU’LL SEE

This bug primarily hits Windows 11 version 24H2 devices that installed the August 29 preview or any later cumulative containing the same change. The most common victims are home theater PCs (HTPCs), media workstations, and any setups that rely on physical media or over-the-air digital TV software.

Typical symptoms include:

  • Black screen or app freeze when starting protected playback

  • Copyright/HDCP protection error messages

  • Video jitters, stutter, or frequent playback interruptions

  • Recording live TV fails or shows only a blank capture

Streaming services may be unaffected if their apps or browsers don’t rely on the same EVR + HDCP enforcement path. However, behavior varies by player architecture, GPU stack, and display chain.

HOW TO CHECK IF YOU’RE IMPACTED

Start by confirming the update level and KB numbers on your device.

  1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history.

  2. Look under “Quality updates” for:

    • KB5064081 (August 29, 2025 optional preview)

    • KB5065426 (September 2025 cumulative)

  3. If either shows as installed around the time your playback broke, you’re likely affected.

Next, test with known-good media and a stable chain (same disc, same drive, same cable, same display input). If unprotected files play but protected discs or digital TV channels fail, the issue is almost certainly the DRM/EVR path.

Testing Tips

  • Try a second player app. If one app fails and another works, the working app may not rely on EVR with HDCP enforcement.

  • Verify your HDMI cable and port path supports HDCP 2.x end-to-end.

  • Disconnect capture devices, splitters, or KVMs that might interfere with HDCP handshakes.

IMMEDIATE WORKAROUNDS YOU CAN USE NOW

Until Microsoft publishes a permanent fix, these options can restore functionality or reduce disruptions.

Roll Back the Problem Update

If you installed the August preview update (KB5064081) or September cumulative (KB5065426) and the issue appeared immediately afterward:

  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.

  2. Select the problematic KB and choose Uninstall.

  3. Reboot and test protected playback again.

Switch Players Or Render Paths

Some media apps let you change the video renderer or pipeline. If available:

  • Switch from EVR to an alternate renderer that your app supports.

  • Use a software path that doesn’t enforce HDCP at the app layer (if legal and supported).

  • Try a different app that is known to play discs via a different video stack.

Tighten Your Display Chain

HDCP handshakes are picky. To improve reliability:

  • Use a direct connection from GPU to the display (temporarily bypass AVRs, splitters, and converters).

  • Use a high-quality, short HDMI cable rated for your resolution/refresh.

  • Confirm the display input supports HDCP 2.x; try another HDMI port on the TV/monitor.

Pause Optional/Preview Updates

On media-critical systems, defer optional previews:

  • Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.

  • Turn off “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.”

  • Use group policy/Intune to pause non-security previews for HTPC or broadcast capture rigs.

WHAT MICROSOFT IS DOING ABOUT IT

Microsoft has acknowledged the DRM/HDCP playback problem on Windows 11 24H2 and is investigating a fix. The company’s guidance suggests the regression is tied to how EVR interacts with copyright protection enforcement. Expect a remediation in a future cumulative or out-of-band update once validation completes. In the meantime, organizations can roll back the implicated KBs on affected endpoints or temporarily defer updates on media-sensitive devices.

[TIP] Track Windows Release Health for 24H2 status updates and remediation notes. When a fix is published, install it first on a test HTPC or lab device before broad rollout.

GUIDANCE FOR IT ADMINS AND MEDIA WORKSTATION OWNERS

If you manage production or broadcast environments—or you run a home lab with capture cards and disc libraries—treat this as a change-management case.

Segment and Stage

  • Identify endpoints that use Blu-ray/DVD playback or digital TV capture.

  • Create an Update Ring that excludes optional previews for these machines.

  • Pilot cumulative updates on a small subset; validate protected playback before wider deployment.

Build a Quick Rollback Path

  • Keep a recent system restore point or image for HTPCs.

  • Document how to uninstall the last quality update from Settings and from recovery console (DISM) if the machine fails to boot after a crash.

Harden the Media Chain

  • Standardize on certified cables and known-good ports for your displays and AVRs.

  • Avoid HDCP-breaking accessories (splitters, downscalers) in production paths.

  • Maintain a vetted list of player apps and preferred renderer settings.

FAQ: COMMON QUESTIONS

Does this affect streaming apps like Netflix or Prime Video?

It depends on the app/browser path and whether it uses EVR with HDCP enforcement. Some streaming apps may be unaffected, while disc and digital TV apps are more likely to hit the bug.

Will a GPU driver update fix this?

A fresh GPU driver can improve stability, but early reports suggest the root cause is in the Windows video pipeline. Try the latest WHQL driver, but don’t rely on it as a guaranteed fix.

Should I stop installing security updates?

No. Security updates are still critical. Instead, avoid optional previews on media-critical systems and stage cumulative updates with testing before broad deployment.

BOTTOM LINE AND NEXT STEPS

Windows 11’s August preview and September cumulative updates introduced a regression that can break DRM-protected video playback in EVR-based apps. If you rely on Blu-ray/DVD or digital TV, confirm your KB numbers, roll back the offending update if needed, simplify your HDMI/HDCP chain, and defer optional previews on media-critical rigs. Keep an eye out for Microsoft’s remediation and pilot it on a test box before you push it everywhere. If you found a specific workaround or app setting that helped, share it so others can benefit.

Read more: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2916599/confirmed-windows-11s-august-update-can-break-drm-video-playback.html

Comments

Post a Comment