Nvidia Investigates Gaming Problems Caused by Windows 11 KB5074109 January 2026 Update (Artifacts, Black Screen, and More Issues)

Nvidia has acknowledged challenges related to gaming performance on Windows 11 following the install of the January 2026 Update, KB5074109. Despite assertions that issues arose post-update, Nvidia is actively investigating the situation to mitigate user frustration.

This first update of 2026, labeled as a “minor”release, was anticipated to address only security vulnerabilities. However, it has led to a myriad of problems, notably a concerning black screen that frequently appears before users gain access to their desktops. Users have also reported artifacts, such as visual glitches, particularly in games including Forza Horizon.

A recent examination by Windows Latest revealed that this mandatory January Update often results in a black screen delay before the desktop fully loads or even resets the desktop wallpaper. Though not every gamer is affected, those who are frequently express their distress.

In a discussion thread on Nvidia’s forum, numerous users voiced their concerns regarding various issues stemming from recent Windows Updates, including the black screen and graphical artifacts. Initially, suspicions were directed towards Nvidia’s January 2026 driver updates as the culprit, but it has since been clarified that the problems are tied directly to the January 2026 Patch.

One user stated in a forum post, “I’m noticing weird visual shadow artifacts on the Forza Horizon 5 map when I was on 591.74 and now trying 591.86 and still experiencing them.” More users confirmed similar experiences, noting significant frame rate drops — some reporting a loss of 10 to 20 fps.“Once I uninstalled the security update KB5074109, everything returned to normal, ” expressed another forum member.

Nvidia’s Response to the Ongoing Issues

Following the surge of support requests, Nvidia confirmed their investigation into the reported issues. An engineer from the company indicated that uninstalling KB5074109 has alleviated the problems related to graphical artifacts and black screens.

“Despite the fact that it originated from a Windows 11 update, we are looking into it. The most effective current solution appears to be uninstalling KB5074109, ” shared Manuel, an Nvidia engineer.

The KB5074109 update is classified as a required release with Build 26200.7623 and 26100.7623. Users can check the installed OS Build by navigating to Settings > System > About.

When queried on whether Nvidia would assist Microsoft regarding Windows update complications, Manuel disclosed that the issue of the black screen should ideally be resolved with a forthcoming optional update, KB5074105. This update, which is also part of the January 2026 release cycle, claims to address the specific black screen problem.

According to Microsoft’s release notes, “[Display and Graphics] Fixed: This update addresses black screen issues in isolated multiuser environments, typically after a Windows upgrade.” However, there remains a lack of clarity on whether KB5074105 will rectify the artifact issues in gaming.

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