July Windows 10 update causes blue screen reboot loops – here’s the fix

Back on Patch Day (July 9, 2024), Microsoft released KB5040427, a cumulative update that brought important changes and fixes for Windows 10, closing several security vulnerabilities in the operating system. We highly advise installing it if you haven’t already.

However, some users who installed the cumulative update are reporting serious problems, according to Windows Report. The issue is that computers are getting stuck in a constant cycle of blue screens and reboots. One affected person writes:

Windows 10 Update 2024-07 Cumulative Update Version 22H2 for x64-based systems (KB5040427) causes frequent laptop reboots. It also resets the laptop to a clean blue screen, it looks like it is factory reset. Every time the laptop restarts, it asks you to log into a drive. I have tried to troubleshoot the Windows update but no error is displayed. I have paused the Windows update for 7 days.

Other users confirm this or similar problems: constant reboots, freezes, etc. Users are also reporting similar problems on Reddit.

Incidentally, patch KB5040442 causes similar problems for Windows 11. Microsoft is currently investigating the problem.

The affected operating systems

• Windows 11 version 23H2, Windows 11 version 22H2, Windows 11 version 21H2
• Windows 10 version 22H2, Windows 10 version 21H2
• Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008.

How to resolve the issue

Apparently, the problems with KB5040427 only occur when BitLocker encryption is enabled on the device, according to Microsoft in this support document.

Affected users should enter the recovery key. Windows should then start with the BitLocker recovery screen and work again.

You can retrieve the recovery key by logging into the BitLocker recovery screen portal with your Microsoft account. (Microsoft explains how to find your BitLocker recovery key on this page.)

KB5040525 is also causing problems

An even more recent update—patch KB5040525, which is still optional and currently available as a preview for Windows 10 22H2—is also causing problems for Windows 10 users: memory issues and application crashes after installation.

As there’s currently no need to install this update and it isn’t automatically installed by Windows yet, simply ignore it and don’t install it manually.