Windows Server Reboot Loop After Installing January 2022 Security Updates

It seems all my blog posts are about Microsoft update failures lately: (

I've seen several reports of Windows Server 2012 R2, 2019, and 2022 getting stuck in a reboot loop after installing the January Windows Updates. Specifically, these updates:

• KB5009624 for Windows Server 2012 R2
• KB5009557 for Windows Server 2019
• KB5009555 for Windows Server 2022

Microsoft is currently aware of the issue.

To fix the issue, restart the computer in Safe Mode which will allow you to login and remove the offending update from Windows Update. You can normally get into Safe Mode by pressing F8 immediately after the server starts.

Domain Controllers are a little more tricky, since there isn't a local user account to login with. For DCs you should restart in Safe Mode with Networking. This will allow you to login with a Domain Admin account.

To remove the update from the command line, run the the appropriate command for your operating system:

Windows Server 2012 R2:

wusa /uninstall /kb:5009624

Windows Server 2019:

wusa /uninstall /kb:5009557

Windows Server 2022:

wusa /uninstall /kb:5009555

I found that if the server is configured to automatically download and install updates it will reinstall the errant update all over again. Grrrr. To prevent this, you can hide the update from reinstalling.

• Uninstall the update and then run run Check for Updates from Windows Update in the server.
• Right-click the update and select Hide Update to prevent it from being reinstalled.

I, for one, am really getting tired of poor quality of updates coming from Microsoft these days. There's simply no excuse for this.

UPDATE - January 17, 2022

Microsoft is releasing Out-of-band (OOB) updates today, January 17, 2022, for some versions of Windows. This update addresses issues related to VPN connectivity, Windows Server Domain Controllers restarting, Virtual Machines start failures, and ReFS-formatted removable media failing to mount. All updates are available on the Microsoft Update Catalog, and some are also available on Windows Update as an optional update. Check the release notes for your version of Windows for more information. Updates for the following Windows versions are available on Windows Update as an optional update. For instructions, see the KB for your OS listed below: ·         Windows 11, version 21H1 (original release): KB5010795 ·         Windows Server 2022: KB5010796 ·         Windows 10, version 21H2: KB5010793 ·         Windows 10, version 21H1: KB5010793 ·         Windows 10, version 20H2, Windows Server, version 20H2: KB5010793 ·         Windows 10, version 20H1, Windows Server, version 20H1: KB5010793 ·         Windows 10, version 1909, Windows Server, version 1909: KB5010792 ·         Windows 10, version 1607, Windows Server 2016: KB5010790 ·         Windows 10, version 1507: KB5010789 ·         Windows 7 SP1: KB5010798 ·         Windows Server 2008 SP2: KB5010799 Updates for the following Windows versions are available only on Microsoft Update Catalog. For instructions, see the KB for your OS listed below: ·         Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2: KB5010794 ·         Windows Server 2012: KB5010797