14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently acknowledged a bug in the latest cumulative update for Windows 10 October 2018 Update, or version 1809, explaining that some devices may end up stuck on a black screen on the first boot after install.
Specifically, the company explains that cumulative update KB4503327, which was released for Windows 10 October 2018 Update computers on the June 2019 Patch Tuesday cycle, comes with an issue breaking down the boot process.
However, this only happens on the first startup after you install update KB4503327, Microsoft says, and everything should work correctly on the second attempt to boot to the desktop.
“We are investigating reports that a small number of devices may startup to a black screen during the first logon after installing updates,” Microsoft says.
The bug affects Windows 10 version 1809, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, and Windows Server 2019. A similar issue has also been confirmed on Windows 10 April 2018 Update, or version 1803, after installing cumulative update KB4503286.
How to fix the bug
Fortunately, a workaround already exists. Microsoft says users need to perform a force restart once their device ends up stuck on the black screen, and then the boot process should complete correctly.
“To mitigate this issue, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then select the Power button in the lower right corner of the screen and select Restart. Your device should now restart normally,” it says.
A full fix is already in the works, Microsoft says, but an ETA isn’t available just yet. A new round of cumulative updates is projected to go live later this month, so hopefully Microsoft has enough time to resolve the bug by that time.
You can determine if cumulative update KB4503327 is installed on your device or not by checking the OS build number. To do this, click the Start menu and type winver. The OS build number with cumulative update KB4503327 is installed should be 17763.557.