Microsoft confirmed on this week’s Patch Tuesday that Windows 11 build 23H2 users are experiencing a frustrating glitch: their PCs won’t shut down. Instead of powering off properly, affected systems simply restart automatically, creating a loop that’s caught users off guard.
The culprit? Update KB5073455, released this week as part of Microsoft’s regular security patches. But here’s the catch, not everyone is affected.
The issue specifically targets Enterprise and IoT editions of Windows 11 23H2 running Secure Launch, an advanced security feature that uses virtualization-based security (VBS) to validate system integrity during boot.
What’s secure launch and why it matters
Secure Launch isn’t new, Microsoft introduced it back in Windows 10. Think of it as a hardcore bodyguard for your PC’s startup process.
It uses hardware-level validation to ensure the system boots with trusted code, quickly identifying and blocking malicious firmware-level attacks. It works alongside Secure Boot to create what Microsoft calls “secured-core PCs”.
The technology allows the system to start even with potentially untrusted code, but immediately validates whether that code is safe. It’s powerful protection, but right now, it’s also what’s preventing affected machines from shutting down correctly.
“After installing the January 13, 2026, Windows security update (KB5073455) for Windows 11, version 23H2, some PCs with Secure Launch are unable to shut down or enter hibernation. Instead, the device restarts“, Microsoft explained in their statement.
Quick fix until Microsoft patches the problem
While Microsoft investigates the root cause, there’s a workaround that actually works for shutting down your PC. Open Command Prompt, just search “cmd” in the Start menu, and type this command: shutdown /s /t 0. Hit Enter, and your system will force an immediate shutdown.
Fair warning though: this doesn’t fix the hibernation issue. Some laptops still can’t enter hibernation mode properly, which could be problematic for portable users.
Microsoft recommends saving your work frequently and avoiding hibernation altogether until they release an official fix through an upcoming cumulative update. No timeline yet, but the Redmond team is on it.
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