Monday, September 22nd 2025

Windows 11 24H2 September Patch Breaks HDCP/DRM Video Playback

Microsoft recently rolled out its September 2025 Patch update with a KB5065426 code for Windows 11 24H2. However, the patch reportedly produces a very specific bug that prevents some Digital TV and BluRay/DVD applications from playing video. As these applications utilize Enhanced Video Renderer (EVR) with HDCP enforcement or Digital Rights Management (DRM) for digital audio, they may experience various errors, including copyright protection issues, frequent playback interruptions, freezing or black screens, or no video playback at all. Microsoft confirmed the issue on September 19 and is actively working on the fix, which it will roll out in future Windows updates. Microsoft claims that this issue doesn't impact streaming services.

The Enhanced Video Renderer, although still used by some players, has largely been superseded by newer renderers, such as the Simple Video Renderer. Its job in protected playback is to work with Media Foundation and older DirectShow components so decoded frames remain within a trusted rendering path. EVR ensures video is composited only onto Direct3D surfaces that the system treats as secure, preventing decrypted frames from being written to ordinary memory or captured by other software. That coordinated handoff between the media framework, drivers, and the GPU is what lets Windows meet the licensing and output restrictions required for BluRay, broadcast TV, and other DRM-protected formats.
HDCP and DRM live between the app and the display or audio hardware to prevent unauthorized copying and playback. HDCP is a link-level protocol that runs a cryptographic handshake over HDMI or DisplayPort, allowing the source and sink to verify that they are both authorized to view the content. DRM systems, such as PlayReady, Widevine, or AACS, encrypt the media and control licenses, expiration dates, and output rules. On Windows the media framework and drivers create a protected rendering path so decrypted frames are never exposed to ordinary memory or to capture tools. If any part of that chain fails, the player will often refuse to render the content rather than risk exposing protected material. That is by design: the systems fail closed to protect copyright. Until Microsoft publishes a fix, users can check Windows Update for hotfixes. If problems began right after KB5065426 was installed, make a restore point and consider uninstalling the update or rolling back a driver temporarily.
Sources: Microsoft, via Neowin
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32 Comments on Windows 11 24H2 September Patch Breaks HDCP/DRM Video Playback

#26
Aleksandar_038
ArjaiEvery OLD standard? Like Windows 11? (see what I DID!) :roll:
Enhanced video rendered is on the exit door for some time already.

It is legacy feature, it is expected that over time, some issues will arise.

It is astonishing that some features from 1990 still work on Windows (and it is Windows biggest strength), but issues are not end of the world.

There are plenty of stuff MS should be acountable of:
- Desktop interface in XAML, leading to disastrous performance,
- Destruction on Windows Explorer in half-assed efforts to clodify it (instead of improivng concept of Libraries that could do it back in 2010 without wrecking performance, or using concept like Spacedrive),
- Destroying Windows Search in order to promote Bing,
- Pushing Copilot everywhere, yet be so lazy that it is not even properly integrated in Widnows,
- no first party apps anymore, instead using pwa junk...
Posted on Reply
#27
Legacy1
Uninstalling the update does not fix it😡 My HTPC is a mess
Posted on Reply
#28
cvaldes
Legacy1Uninstalling the update does not fix it😡 My HTPC is a mess
Rollback to earlier snapshot? Recover from backup?
Posted on Reply
#29
Legacy1
cvaldesRollback to earlier snapshot? Recover from backup?
wish that I could my backup is 14/09/25 only just found out about the problem today
Posted on Reply
#30
cvaldes
Well, time to change your backup strategy. You should always make one prior to a significant OS change. Patch Tuesday updates have been horrific for years, nothing new.

My guess is Microshaft will include a fix in the upcoming Cumulative Preview patch so you’ll only have to limp along another week or so.
Posted on Reply
#31
chrcoluk
Yeah I routinely backup before any CU patch, now days CU is playing with fire. Also if I am doing anything remotely risky on OS configuration. Very quick to do a incremental on Macrium.
Posted on Reply
#32
Waldorf
@phints
always love ppl that use words without understanding its meaning.
same for DRM.
do you know its digital RIGHTS management, not digital VIDEO management?

ignoring the win (11) IS kind of bad, or ppl wouldnt have to rollback "twice a year".

@Chomiq
so that im forced to watch (local) content in that locations language? nope.
and i dropped Netflix after they decided existing customers should pay more, for getting the same thing, ignoring i havent seen anything interesting (content wise) for years.
Posted on Reply
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