Windows 11 23H2: January Updates Break Sleep Mode and Shutdown

[harlan4096]

Microsoft has confirmed problems affecting systems running Windows 11 version 23H2 after installing the January 2026 security updates. According to the company, affected PCs may no longer shut down properly or enter sleep mode.

The issue has now been documented in the Windows Release Health notes. Microsoft states that after installing the January 13, 2026 security updates, systems with Secure Boot enabled can fail to power down or switch to sleep. Instead of shutting down or suspending, the devices may restart automatically. Secure Boot relies on virtualization-based security to protect the system against firmware-level attacks during startup.

Microsoft says the problematic update, identified as KB5073455, is only being offered for the Enterprise and IoT editions of Windows 11 23H2. While the knowledge base entry references changes related to Secure Boot, these changes are intended to update Secure Boot certificates rather than alter power management behavior.

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