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Windows 11 update while I was playing game lead to black screen and doesn't boot anymore

Hi,

Before I've launched the game, I've selected in update prompt in tray "Hide for now" (or something like that). After an hour or 1.5 in game, my game started to freeze, screen started to switch resolution, blanked — seems like windows started some video drivers update despite I was in game. I've tried to switch to desktop to check what windows update is doing, but after some time, screen became totally black (not black color, or backlight, it was off completely). I've waited for some time, but it didn't switched on, so I've hard reset my laptop. After that Windows boots in black screen without any signs of activity.

So windows can detect I was in game and set "do not bother mode", but while updates are allowed in that mode? Why start update process without user consent? Now I have to reinstall it again, and honestly I'm not sure I'll be doing that or just embrace Wine/Proton.

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Dear w01dnick

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft community.

I am very sorry to learn that you are suddenly experiencing a black screen during gameplay, driver updates and other complications.

Regarding your issue, I will dismantle this problem step by step and provide you with some solutions.

Problems with the Windows Update mechanism

Although you have selected “Hide for now”, Windows Update sometimes still downloads and installs certain critical updates (e.g. driver updates) automatically in the background, especially when the system considers these updates as “important”.

During gameplay, Windows Focus Assist usually delays notification, but does not prevent updates from being installed in the background. 2.

Graphics Card Driver Conflicts

During gameplay, graphics card resources are highly utilized. If Windows Update tries to install a new graphics card driver, it may cause the driver to be uninstalled or reloaded, which may result in resolution switching, stuttering, or even a black screen.

The updated driver may not be compatible with the existing system configuration or hardware, causing the system to fail to start normally after reboot.

Here we share a registry solution which will define Windows Update and after setting it, Windows Update will be triggered only when you click Auto Update.

Press WIN+R and type:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v NoAutoUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry or workgroups is usually geared towards advanced users, administrators, and IT professionals, and it can help fix some problems, however, improper registry modifications can cause serious problems. Therefore, please make sure to strictly follow the steps below. For further protection, make a backup of the registry before modifying it. For more information on how to backup and restore the registry ref:

How to back up and restore the registry in Windows - Microsoft Support

Best Wish

Shawn.Z-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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Question Info

Last updated February 22, 2025 Views 59 Applies to: