Microsoft has officially stated that its recent KB5063878 security update for Windows 11 is not the cause of reported gaming SSD failures. Despite widespread user reports and speculation, the tech giant claims its "thorough investigation" found no link between the update and the mysterious drive malfunctions. The issue, which causes some gaming SSDs to disappear during heavy data writes, remains unexplained.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft denies its KB5063878 Windows 11 update is responsible for gaming SSD failures.
- The company has been unable to replicate the issue despite investigations and collaboration with hardware manufacturers.
- The exact cause of the SSD failures remains unknown.
Investigation Findings
Microsoft issued a statement confirming that its internal review uncovered "no connection" between the August security update and the hard drive failures reported on social media. The company has collaborated with hardware manufacturers but has not been able to reproduce the problem on its own Windows 11 systems.
The SSD Failure Phenomenon
The reported error causes certain gaming SSDs to become inaccessible within Windows, particularly during periods of intense data writing, such as installing new games. While a system restart often makes the drive reappear, data loss is frequently reported as a consequence of this sudden disappearance. Initial reports suggested that SSDs utilizing Phison data controllers were most affected, though Phison itself could not replicate the issue. Other reports indicated that SSDs with different controller chips were also experiencing similar problems.
What Users Should Do
As the root cause remains elusive, Windows 11 users are advised to monitor their SSD health, especially when performing significant data writes. To mitigate the risk of data loss, it is recommended to regularly back up important files using cloud storage or an external hard drive until a definitive solution is identified.
