Critical Fix to Resolve Windows 11 24H2 KB5055523 April Update Blue Screen BSOD (SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR)

Problem Description

The April 8, 2025, security update KB5055523 for Windows 11 24H2, intended to deliver security patches, AI enhancements, and bug fixes, has instead introduced a severe issue: many users are encountering a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with the error code 0x18B SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR immediately after installing the update and rebooting their systems. This issue affects not only the April update but also previous updates (KB5053656 and KB5053598), and has led to system instability, repeated crashes, and, in some cases, systems failing to boot altogether.

Additional Complications:

• Windows Hello login failures, especially on devices with advanced security features enabled.
• Creation of a new C:\inetpub folder, which should not be deleted, as it is part of a security mitigation.
• Device-specific issues, such as loss of scanner connectivity and software incompatibilities.
• The update is mandatory, so most users cannot simply avoid it.

Solution: How to Resolve the KB5055523 BSOD Issue

Automatic Fix via Known Issue Rollback (KIR)

Microsoft has deployed a server-side Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to mitigate the BSOD problem. This fix is automatically pushed to most personal and unmanaged devices through Windows Update.

Steps:

1. Ensure your device is online so it can receive the KIR policy.
2. Restarting your PC helps the KIR fix apply faster. It may take up to 24 hours for the rollback to propagate, but a reboot can expedite this process.
3. Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Repeat this process and reboot several times if needed to speed up the fix.

For Enterprise/Managed Devices

If your device is managed by an IT department, the KIR fix must be deployed via Group Policy.

IT Admin Steps:

1. Download the appropriate KIR Group Policy for your Windows version from Microsoft’s documentation.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates in Group Policy Editor.
3. Install and configure the policy, then restart all affected devices to apply the fix.

If You Are Still Experiencing BSODs

• Wait up to 24 hours after following the above steps; the KIR should resolve the issue.
• If your system is unbootable, attempt to boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the problematic update, or use System Restore if available.
• In rare cases, a clean Windows reinstall may be necessary, though this should be a last resort.

Supplementary Information

Other Known Issues with KB5055523:

• Windows Hello may fail; re-enroll your PIN or facial recognition via Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
• New folder C:\inetpub is expected—do not delete it.
• Some users report device-specific issues (e.g., scanner connectivity); uninstalling the update may temporarily resolve these until Microsoft issues a permanent fix.

This is a critical and negative-impact issue affecting a wide range of users. However, Microsoft’s KIR mechanism offers a rapid, mostly automatic fix for personal devices. For managed environments, IT must act to deploy the Group Policy rollback. If you are still experiencing problems after following these steps, further troubleshooting or professional IT support may be necessary.