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Why do I see a black screen or copyright error playing videos after the Windows 11 update?
Some people using Windows 11 are finding they can no longer watch their movies or TV shows after installing recent updates. Microsoft sends out updates every month to keep Windows working well and secure. However, a bug in the September 2025 update, known as KB5065426, is causing problems with video playback for certain applications. This issue actually started with an earlier update from August 2025, called KB5064081. If you have noticed videos freezing, showing a black screen, or giving you a copyright error, these updates are likely the cause.
Understanding the Playback Problem
The problem is connected to a system called Digital Rights Management, or DRM. Think of DRM as a special lock on movies and shows to prevent them from being copied illegally. To play this protected content, your computer needs a key that works with the lock. The recent Windows updates appear to have broken this key for some older video-playing technology.
This issue specifically affects apps that use something called the Enhanced Video Renderer (EVR). EVR is an older method that some programs use to display video on your screen. While many newer apps and streaming services like YouTube or Netflix have moved on to modern technology, some software for playing Blu-ray discs or watching content from a Digital TV tuner still rely on EVR. Because of the update bug, when these apps try to play a protected video, the system fails, and you are left unable to watch content you legally own.
Who is Affected and Who is Not
You are most likely to experience this issue if you use your computer to watch physical media or broadcast television.
- Blu-ray Player Apps: If you use software to play movies from Blu-ray discs, it may use the affected EVR technology.
- Digital TV Tuner Apps: Programs that let you watch or record live TV through a tuner card or USB device might also be impacted.
The good news is that this problem does not affect most online streaming. Services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube use a different, newer rendering pipeline called Simple Video Renderer (SVR). This technology is not affected by the bug in the recent Windows updates, so your streaming should continue to work without any issues.
What to Do If You Have This Issue
Microsoft has officially recognized the problem on its Windows Release Health dashboard. This means their engineers are aware of the bug and its impact. However, as of now, they have not provided a permanent fix. Until an official patch is released, you have a few options to consider.
Pause Future Updates
If you have not yet installed the KB5065426 or KB5064081 updates, the simplest action is to delay them. You can go into your Windows 11 Settings, navigate to Windows Update, and find the option to pause updates for one or more weeks. This will prevent the problematic update from being installed and protect you from the playback bug.
Uninstall the Recent Update
If the update is already on your system, you can choose to remove it. This will roll your system back to a state before the bug was introduced. To do this, go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history. Scroll down and click on Uninstall updates. Find either KB5065426 or KB5064081 in the list and select “Uninstall.” Keep in mind that uninstalling an update also removes any security fixes it contained, so this should be seen as a temporary solution.
Wait for an Official Fix
Since Microsoft has confirmed the issue, a solution is expected in a future update. If the problem is not urgent for you, the safest option is to wait for Microsoft to release a patch that permanently resolves the playback errors. You can check the Windows Release Health page for official news and announcements regarding a fix.