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Windows 11 September 2026 updates break Always On VPN connections

Daniel Cross 0 comments 2 min read

Windows 11 September 2026 updates break Always On VPN connections for some users. Microsoft provides a workaround for KB5124012 and KB5124008.

Windows 11 September 2026 updates break Always On VPN connections
SOFTWARE AND UPDATES

Microsoft's September 2026 security updates have introduced a regression that breaks Always On VPN connections for some Windows 11 users. This issue disrupts network access for organizations relying on automatic protocol selection, forcing administrators to intervene before connectivity is restored. The problem affects users on Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1 who depend on seamless remote access.

Administrators must switch VPN profiles to single protocol mode

The root cause lies in how the updates handle profile configurations that allow the system to choose between IKEv2 and SSTP protocols. When the system attempts to fall back from IKEv2 to SSTP, the connection stalls or fails with specific error messages. Users report that their devices remain stuck in a 'Connecting' state or display an error stating that the specified port is already in use.

Microsoft has identified two specific patches responsible for this behavior: KB5124012 for Windows 11 26H1 and KB5124008 for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2. The company recommends an immediate workaround to restore functionality. Administrators should configure their Always On VPN profiles to use a single protocol, either SSTP only or IKEv2 only, rather than allowing automatic selection.

This VPN regression is part of a wider set of stability issues found in the September 2026 cumulative updates for Windows 11. Other reported failures include problems with Hyper-V virtualization, Remote Desktop Services, and USB audio devices. The pattern mirrors issues seen in previous patches, such as the last Windows 11 update that crashed games and broke Hello PINs, suggesting ongoing balance challenges in recent releases.

Microsoft is currently aware of the Always On VPN breakage and has provided the single-protocol workaround as an interim fix. Users experiencing these connectivity issues should adjust their VPN settings immediately to restore network access. Microsoft has not yet released a corrected patch to resolve the underlying protocol selection bug.

Source: NotebookCheck

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