Navigation section

Windows 11 24H2 Update Breaks Ubisoft Games: Crashes & Black Screens

  • Thread Author
Microsoft has recently taken the unusual—and frustrating—step of blocking the Windows 11 24H2 update on certain PCs. The culprit? An incompatibility that causes crashes, freezing, and even black screens in popular Ubisoft games, including Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Star Wars Outlaws, and the upcoming Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Let's dive into the details of what’s going on and why both Microsoft and Ubisoft have been pushed into crisis mode.

What’s the Problem?​

Since rolling out the Windows 11 24H2 update, gamers have been venting their frustrations across forums, Reddit threads, and even Microsoft's Feedback Hub. The issues aren’t small, either—players are encountering everything from sudden game crashes to persistent freezes and severe audio glitches. Worse still? Some can't even load into their favorite Ubisoft titles. Here's a quick rundown of the most affected games:
  • Assassin's Creed Valhalla
  • Assassin's Creed Origins
  • Assassin's Creed Odyssey
  • Star Wars Outlaws
  • Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Imagine booting into your favorite game for some downtime, only to have it crash seconds after launch—or blacking out during gameplay without a hint of what went wrong. That’s the reality for users after updating to Windows 11 24H2.
Another surprising twist is that other popular games, such as Ubisoft's Far Cry series and even Activision's Call of Duty, are reportedly showing flashes of instability under the same update.

What’s Causing These Crashes?​

Though neither Microsoft nor Ubisoft has shared intricate technical details, the core issue likely lies with how Windows 11 24H2 handles certain resource-heavy gaming functions. Older gaming engines or unoptimized code in Ubisoft’s titles might have compatibility hiccups with newer APIs or kernel changes introduced in 24H2.
For example:
  • Memory Allocation Tweaks: Updates to memory allocation and management could break compatibility with game engines, leading to processing errors.
  • Graphics Driver Disruption: In some cases, Windows updates can impact DirectX or driver compatibility, both critical to rendering graphics-intensive games.
  • Audio Stack Updates: Audio glitches suggest modifications to Windows’ audio processing pipeline, which may interfere with games tuned for previous API behaviors.
Compounding the frustration, affected users had already flagged these issues during preview builds of Windows 11 24H2 within the Windows Insider program. Warnings were clearly raised, but the final version seems to have rolled out with the bugs still alive and kicking.

Microsoft’s Response: Blocked Updates​

Recognizing the severity of the problem, Microsoft has decided to put a temporary block on devices running these Ubisoft titles to prevent them from receiving the 24H2 update automatically. This means if you’re playing any of the games on the affected list, your PC won’t install the update until a resolution is officially provided.
That said, Microsoft has issued a stern warning against manually applying the update via alternative methods, like downloading ISO files. Doing so runs the risk of rendering these games practically unplayable.
Temporary Workaround:
If these issues crop up while playing, force-closing the game via Task Manager might be the only way to regain control. It’s a Band-Aid at best, especially for gamers who are paying full price for titles that aren’t functioning properly on a supported OS.

Ubisoft’s Attempt at a Fix​

Ubisoft hasn’t just been sitting idly by. They’ve already deployed a hotfix for Star Wars Outlaws (v1.4.1) to address part of the problem. However, this fix comes with caveats; the company warns that performance issues may persist until a more comprehensive patch can be released.
As for the Assassin’s Creed games, Ubisoft has acknowledged the problem in forums like Steam’s Assassin's Creed Origins, stating that their teams are actively investigating. Details about timeframes for a permanent fix are thin, though—hardly reassuring for those eager to jump back into their virtual historical adventures.

Performance Note from Ubisoft​

The Star Wars Outlaws hotfix might bring relief, but it’s far from perfect. Players should brace for:
  • Reduced frame rates (laggy gameplay)
  • Occasional stuttering and unstable conditions
Ubisoft hasn’t suggested uninstalling the update as a workaround—it appears that their engineers believe the issue can be mitigated without requiring users to roll back Windows entirely.

Why Gamers Are Speaking Out​

From casual users on Reddit to long-time fans venting in Ubisoft forums, the consensus seems unanimous: these problems didn’t sneak up out of nowhere. Reports of crashes, black screens, and freezing started surfacing during the testing phase of the Windows 11 24H2 update. Users claim they flagged these issues early on, warning both Ubisoft and Microsoft that the platform and games weren’t playing nicely together.
So why did a final build go live anyway? With Windows updates often planned months in advance, release schedules may have prioritized sticking to timelines over flawlessly fine-tuning features. Still, gamers—especially those pouring hours into highly immersive AAA games—find this inexcusable.

What’s Next and What Should You Do?​

Here’s the situation: Microsoft and Ubisoft are both working on fixes, but there’s no solid ETA in sight. Currently, there are two main paths depending on your circumstances:

1. If You Haven't Updated Yet:​

  • Stay put! Let the update blocker do its job and wait for patches to roll out before upgrading to Windows 11 24H2.
  • Regularly check Ubisoft’s forums or Microsoft’s official support pages for news about fixes.

2. If You’ve Already Updated:​

  • Download any available temporary hotfixes (Star Wars Outlaws players, this one’s for you).
  • Continuously update your games to ensure you’re running the latest version with bug mitigations.
  • Patience is key—be cautious about manually downgrading your OS or uninstalling updates, as these processes can lead to system instability.
For now, there’s no harm in dusting off games unaffected by the update until patches stabilize your favorites.

Larger Implications for Windows 11 and Gaming​

The relationship between Windows updates and gaming performance has been a rocky one for years. Microsoft regularly touts Windows 11 as the ultimate gaming OS—complete with features like Auto HDR, improved DirectStorage, and Xbox Game Pass integration—but incidents like this undercut that ambition.
Here are some thoughts to ponder:
  • Should big-name developers test their games rigorously against major OS updates?
  • Should Microsoft slow down its rigid update timelines for higher-quality assurance?
  • Can gamers trust preview feedback systems like the Windows Insider program if their warnings go unheeded?

In Summary​

Gamers and developers alike are caught in the middle of this messy collision between the latest Windows update and Ubisoft’s AAA gaming lineup. While Microsoft continues to block updates for affected users and Ubisoft scrambles to deploy fixes, one thing is clear: this kind of disruption chips away at user trust.
Keep checking back with WindowsForum.com for updates on this situation and tips to safely navigate the chaos. And hey, if you’ve had your own strange experience with the Windows 11 24H2 update, sound off in the forum comments—because let's face it, your input might be the clue Ubisoft and Microsoft need!
Source: BleepingComputer Windows 11 24H2 update blocked on PCs with Assassin's Creed, Star Wars Outlaws
 


Click to expand...
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top