Windows 11 January Update: PCs Can’t Shut Down

by Justin Erickson

Microsoft has confirmed a new issue where some Windows 11 23H2 devices with System Guard Secure Launch enabled will not shut down or enter hibernation after installing the January 13, 2026 security update KB5073455 – which is only available to Enterprise and IoT editions. Instead of powering off, affected systems restart. Until a permanent fix is available, shut down using this command in the command prompt:

shutdown /s /t 0

There is currently no workaround for hibernation or shutdown failures. Microsoft says it is working on a fix.

In a related issue, the KB5074109 update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 causes Outlook desktop clients to freeze for users with POP email accounts. It also had not been fixed, and the only workaround is to uninstall the update: “open the Settings app, going to Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, and click the ‘Uninstall’ link next to ‘Security Update for Microsoft Windows (KB5074109).'”