Microsoft has acknowledged that the April 2024 Windows security updates (KB5036893 for Windows 11, KB5036892 for Windows 10) will cause interruptions to virtual private network (VPN) connections on various client and server platforms. According to information on the Windows Health Dashboard, devices running Windows may experience VPN connection failures after installing the April 2024 Security Update or the April 2024 Non-Security Preview Update.
The company also stated that it is actively investigating user reports about these issues and will share more details in the coming days. Affected Windows versions include Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2008 and later.
The affected Windows versions and the associated problematic security updates are as follows:
For client devices:
- Windows 11 (versions 22H2/23H2) with KB5036893
- Windows 11 (version 21H2) with KB5036894
- Windows 10 with KB5036892
For server platforms:
- -Windows Server 2022 with KB5036909
- Windows Server 2019 with KB5036896
- Windows Server 2016 with KB5036899
- Windows Server 2012 R2 with KB5036960
- Windows Server 2012 with KB5036969
- Windows Server 2008 R2 with KB5036967
- Windows Server 2008 with KB5036932
While Microsoft has not yet determined the root cause of these VPN outages, it has advised home users to seek support through the Windows Get Help app for personal or family accounts. Small businesses and large enterprises seeking assistance are directed to the dedicated 'Support for Business' portal.
Currently, there is no known workaround for the VPN issue on affected systems, but users can temporarily uninstall the security updates to mitigate the issue. Microsoft provides instructions for uninstalling the update using the DISM /Remove Package command-line option, though this will remove all security fixes bundled in the cumulative update, not just the VPN-related ones.
Another issue identified in KB5036893, as reported by The Register, involves an issue that occurs when attempting to change an account profile photo, often resulting in error code 0x80070520. Microsoft acknowledged the issue and said it was working to fix it. However, despite the release of KB5036980 on April 23, the problem persists.
In a similar case last year, Microsoft investigated speed issues with L2TP/IPsec VPNs over Wi-Fi connections following the April 2023 non-security updates. In January 2022, emergency out-of-band updates were released to address L2TP VPN issues following installation of the January 2022 Patch Tuesday updates.
