April Windows Updates May Break Your VPN, Microsoft Warns

Latest Windows updates break users’ VPNs. Microsoft itself warns about this in the “Known Issues” section of its website dedicated to new operating system updates.

The official message says that “VPN connections may fail after installing the April 2024 security update.” The issue is currently under investigation and the company says it will provide a fix in the next update. However, there is still no ETA for the rollout. During this time, affected users will not be able to use their VPN as they usually do.

Avoid installing the latest Windows April security updates

The Windows 11 versions causing the issue are KB5036893 and KB5036894, but the April 2024 security updates for Windows 10 (KB5036892) and Windows Server are also affected. According to Bleeping Computer, Windows users are reporting mixed results after updating their devices. For some, their VPN continues to work without issue, but others haven’t been so lucky.

Those affected have tried a series of potential workarounds in an attempt to temporarily resolve the issue. For example, some claim they were able to get their VPN back up and running simply by uninstalling and reinstalling their VPN provider’s app.

How to uninstall Windows update that breaks VPN connections

A more drastic measure that others resort to is to completely uninstall the latest Windows updates. If you choose the uninstallation route, Microsoft recommends what steps to follow. Basically, you need to use Windows Command Prompt to add a line of code that will trigger the uninstallation. Opening Command Prompt is as simple as using the search/magnifying glass icon, typing “cmd” and running it when it appears in the results. Once opened, the command line to use is “DISM/Remove-Package”.

To get everything right, you need to use the LCU package name as an argument. To get your LCU package, use the line “DISM /online /get-packages” in the command prompt and press Enter. Then copy the result and use it to run the “DISM/Remove-Package” command line.

There is also an easier way to do this. From Windows 11, go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall Updates. Once there, find the problematic update and click “Uninstall”. The path should be similar for Windows 10.

Finally, whether you uninstalled the update or did not receive it, it is advisable to pause updates from the Windows Update menu for a few weeks.

May 2, 2024