Nvidia GPU Issues After Windows 11 Update Investigated

Gamers and PC enthusiasts are once again grappling with performance issues in Windows 11, this time stemming from the January 2026 security update, KB5074109. Reports are flooding in from users experiencing graphical glitches, frame rate drops, and even complete system freezes, particularly when running games with NVIDIA graphics cards.

The problems began shortly after the update’s rollout and initially, suspicion fell on NVIDIA’s latest drivers. However, mounting evidence from the PC gaming community quickly pointed the finger back at Microsoft’s Windows 11 update itself. Users are reporting performance losses ranging from 10 to 20 frames per second and encountering very annoying visual artifacts in popular titles, according to reports circulating in online forums and networks.

NVIDIA has acknowledged the issue and launched an internal investigation. A spokesperson, identified as Manuel from the NVIDIA support team, confirmed the company is aware of the reports of performance drops, glitches, and black screens following the installation of KB5074109. The company is working to understand the root cause of the problems.

Microsoft is also investigating, stating that the issues appear to have begun after the January update. While the initial source of the problem seems to be within the operating system, Microsoft is analyzing records and compiling cases to try to reproduce the failures in the laboratory and work, at least, on mitigations from the controllers’ side.

The situation highlights a recurring theme of instability following Windows updates, a frustration many PC gamers have experienced in recent months. This isn’t an isolated incident; previous Windows updates have also caused issues with NVIDIA GPUs, demonstrating a pattern of compatibility challenges.

Fortunately, NVIDIA has already taken steps to address the immediate impact. The company released a hotfix display driver, version 581.94, designed to restore performance. This hotfix is based on the latest Game Ready Driver, which also includes optimizations for titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Europa Universalis V. NVIDIA describes the hotfix drivers as containing a small number of additional targeted fixes that will also be included in the next official driver release.

The problems appear to be widespread, affecting a variety of games, including Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Users are reporting issues ranging from minor stuttering to complete system crashes. The core issue seems to be a conflict between the Windows 11 update and NVIDIA GPU drivers, leading to instability and performance degradation.

The February 6, 2026 update, KB5074109, is a security and quality release for Windows 11 builds 26100.7623 and 26200.7623. The timing of the issues suggests a direct correlation between the update and the onset of problems for many users. The fact that NVIDIA was able to quickly release a hotfix indicates the company was able to isolate and address the specific issues caused by the Windows update.

For users experiencing these problems, installing the GeForce Hotfix Display Driver version 581.94 is the recommended first step. This should restore performance to previous levels. However, it’s important to remember that this is a temporary fix. A more permanent solution will likely require a further update from Microsoft that addresses the underlying compatibility issues.

This situation underscores the complexities of maintaining stability in the Windows ecosystem, particularly with the diverse range of hardware configurations used by PC gamers. The rapid release of hotfix drivers demonstrates NVIDIA’s commitment to supporting its customers, but it also highlights the need for closer collaboration between Microsoft and hardware manufacturers to ensure seamless compatibility with Windows updates.