Key Takeaways
1. Microsoft identified a shutdown and hibernation issue in some PCs after the January 13, 2026 security update for Windows 11 23H2 (KB5073455).
2. The problem affects certain Secure Launch-capable PCs with Virtual Secure Mode (VSM) enabled, causing them to restart instead of shutting down or hibernating.
3. An out-of-band update (KB5077797) fixes the issue for some Secure Launch devices, but not for those with VSM turned on.
4. Affected systems include Windows 11 23H2 and specific Windows 10 versions, while AMD and ARM64 processors are not impacted.
5. Microsoft plans to address the VSM issue in a future update, and a temporary workaround is to use the command `shutdown /s /t 0`.
Microsoft has recognized a problem where some PCs are unable to shut down or go into hibernation, instead opting to restart. This issue first appeared following the January 13, 2026, security update for Windows 11 23H2, identified as KB5073455 (OS Build 22631.6491).
Issue Details
According to Microsoft’s Windows release health notes, this behavior can also be seen on certain Secure Launch-capable PCs that have Virtual Secure Mode (VSM) enabled, after installing any updates released on or after January 13, 2026.
For users of Windows 11, the shutdown and hibernation problem is categorized under KB5073455, and it indicates that an out-of-band update (KB5077797, OS Build 22631.6494) fixes the issue for some Secure Launch devices, though it does not apply to those Secure Launch-capable PCs with VSM turned on.
Update Timeline
On January 13, 2026, an update identified as KB5073724 (OS Builds 19045.6809 and 19044.6809) noted the same issue where certain Secure Launch-capable PCs with VSM enabled might restart rather than shut down or hibernate. Then, on January 24, 2026, update KB5078131 (OS Build 17763.8281) for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 reiterated the restart behavior related to VSM and referenced a fix to come.
Microsoft’s release health dashboard clearly identifies affected client systems as Windows 11 23H2 and Windows 10 (22H2, LTSC 2021, and LTSC 2019), and importantly, it mentions that the issue does not impact AMD or ARM64 processors in the outlined scenarios.
Future Fixes and Workarounds
Microsoft has stated that the variant involving VSM will be addressed in an upcoming Windows update. Meanwhile, both Microsoft and third-party sources have suggested using the command shutdown /s /t 0 as a temporary solution for those who cannot immediately apply the relevant out-of-band updates.
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