Windows 10: KB5023706 causing flickering white screens and total loss of system functionality

On the night of 14 Mar, Windows update downloaded KB5023706. The following morning when I logged in I noticed PC wanted to reboot for a software installation. Upon checking I saw that KB5023706 had been downloaded and installed and was awaiting reboot. At that time, my PC was functioning completely normally. After rebooting, PC operated normally, right up to the login screen; immediately upon logging in PC immediately started flashing white screens and PC became completely unresponsive and unusable. I was allowed to enter Task Manager, which functioned properly, b

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KB5023706 causing flickering white screens and total loss of system functionality

On the night of 14 Mar, Windows update downloaded KB5023706. The following morning when I logged in I noticed PC wanted to reboot for a software installation. Upon checking I saw that KB5023706 had been downloaded and installed and was awaiting reboot. At that time, my PC was functioning completely normally. After rebooting, PC operated normally, right up to the login screen; immediately upon logging in PC immediately started flashing white screens and PC became completely unresponsive and unusable. I was allowed to enter Task Manager, which functioned properly, but that was total extent of functionality. (Note: Absolutely no error messages are displayed.) I then tried rebooting into safe mode, both with and without networking, but each time experienced the exact same flashing white screen and total loss of system functionality problem. I then ran extended bootup diagnostics to ensure no hardware malfunctions were detected and all tests reported that all hardware was functioning normally. Next, I booted into the Restore menu and initiated a System Restore just prior to the installation of KB5023706. With KB5023706 successfully uninstalled, my PC once again was functioning normally. I then checked to ensure that no new software or drivers had been installed since my second clean reinstallation of Windows 11 two weeks earlier, NVidia GPU drivers from 15 January 2023 were still drivers in use and had been functioning perfectly. On a whim, I did a complete uninstall of the NVidia drivers and ensured system was now only recognizing the on-chip Intel GPU. I next reinstalled KB5023706, and voila immediate flashing white screens and complete loss of system functionality upon login; so off we go back to system restore point to recover full system functionality. Now what? After pondering potential fixes all the way back to 1985 and Windows 1.0, I finally decided to download the KB5023706 "Security Patch" and do an off line installation -- besides the security patch was definitely making my PC more secure, at least from me anyways... Installed KB5023706, system worked fine, rebooted and once again my PC was totally secure, from me. Finally, I broke down and put in a call to Microsoft Tech Support; after getting a call back the nice young man went through the list of things I had already tried and had no more options other than a clean reinstall. I had already determined that I was going to have to do my third clean reinstall in 3 months, but wanted a second opinion to make sure I hadn't missed anything; I hadn't. Clean reinstall number 3 in 3 months, here I come.

Well, my third Windows 11 clean reinstall in 3 months went well; as compared to only 1 clean reinstall for Windows 10 in over 7 years. After reinstalling my network security tools, and putting the system back on the network to let it apply all of the Windows patches (except KB5023706 which I applied manually). When that was all done I decided to conduct a few tests; UserBench is reporting my system is still considered a UFO, but there does appear to be a degradation in my SSD's overall performance; in looking at prior tests, it looks like both have seen about a 9% decline in read and write speeds. Puzzling. Quick test of Cyberpunk and HZD with 3D Mark show about an 11% decrease in game performance over previous tests; I agree, not conclusive, but again still puzzling. Time for more research I suppose'

Long story short, if KB5023706 is applied, and you encounter a problem with flashing white screens and loss of system functionality, including in safe mode, it would appear that a clean reinstall is now the only recommended fix. I'm really beginning to miss Windows 10, and if these Window 11 problems keep reoccurring, I will probably end up reinstalling it.

 

KB5023706 causing flickering white screens and total loss of system functionality

Well, I thought about doing an in place upgrade, but a less than two week old clean install should not need it. Generally, in my experience working with Windows, it generally takes a while for all of that pesky user stuff to build up. It was a clean install, with no OS customization other than Microsoft's upgrades. With over 6 hours of running pre-boot diagnostics and stress tests, I found absolutely no indication of any hardware glitches or malfunctions. The last clean install was Microsoft Tech Support's answer, I was actually hoping I had overlooked something and they might have another idea. A quick search will show you that several reputable sources are now reporting multiple issues related to this patch, including BSODs, failures to install, speed impacts on SSD's, and others, so I wish I could say I was the only one impacted by this patch. But apparently Microsoft is already aware that KB5023706 is causing problems and is working on a fix.

 

KB5023706 causing flickering white screens and total loss of system functionality

Just saying, either your computer is inflicted by Windows problems that require you to clean install 3 times in 3 months or your computer has a problem. If it keeps happening that's something to think about. While I've clean installed 11 twice, that's due to switching drives which is standard for me. I've not once had to clean install it for any reason and have been using it soon after it was released. KB5023706 included.

If you just want to go with it being fully Windows 11 and needing to clean install, that's fine. Its all good. I'm not saying it can't be.

(I've cut this post down as I'd rather avoid anything lengthy despite cutting some stuff that would probably make things clearer. But, the point I'm just trying to make is re-stated which is that all the problems is something to keep in mind. Its a lot of problems you're seeing to clean install that much. If you only clean installed from just not trying an in-place upgrade all 3 times then that too is something to think about the 4th time cause it seems like you will see 4.)

Hope the best