Microsoft has issued an out-of-band update to resolve a significant restart loop problem that impacted certain Windows Server devices after the April 2026 update. This fix aims to alleviate the challenges faced by administrators dealing with forced server restarts post-update.
The issue arose after the installation of the April 2026 Windows security update, identified as KB5082063. According to Microsoft, domain controllers (DCs) in environments with multiple domains utilizing Privileged Access Management (PAM) encountered crashes in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) during startup. This led to repeated restarts of affected DCs, disrupting authentication and directory services, which could render the domain inaccessible.
A domain outage can have severe implications, as resources requiring authentication, such as network shares, may become unavailable. The problem was confirmed to affect Windows Server versions from 2016 through 2025, prompting Microsoft to release this urgent update, which also includes hotpatches to address failed installations.
While the restart issue was confined to Windows Servers, there is a related concern with the April update affecting some enterprise devices. These devices, configured with an unrecommended BitLocker Group Policy, may require users to enter their BitLocker recovery key upon the first restart after the update.
Out-of-band updates, although intended to be rare, have become increasingly common for Windows administrators. Microsoft previously issued an out-of-band update in March due to issues with app sign-in using Microsoft accounts. The frequency of these updates has led to concerns regarding the overall quality control of Microsoft’s update processes.
As organizations continue to navigate these challenges, the importance of thorough testing before deploying updates in production environments remains critical.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
