Windows 11 update causes major streaming issues for OBS and NDI users

Windows 11 Update Delivers a Frustrating Blow to Video Streamers

It appears that Windows users are struggling to find respite from the persistent issues plaguing system updates. Following the unsettling problem of disappearing SSDs, the latest security patch for Windows 11 has introduced significant performance degradation for video streaming applications, notably OBS. Users are reporting severe stutters, lagging, and choppy audio and video playback, a problem that even Microsoft has officially acknowledged.

August Update Triggers Widespread Streaming Woes

The unwelcome disruption surfaced after the installation of the August 2025 security update for Windows 11, identified as KB5063878. This update affected build 26100.4946, and its impact was first highlighted by user Jaybonaut, who observed the malfunction of NDI streaming in OBS post-installation. The issue also extended to NDI Tools, another popular streaming utility. In essence, the update has hampered the functionality of applications responsible for capturing and broadcasting PC screens. While popular consumer streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+ appear unaffected, the implications for professional content creators are substantial.

NDI's Critical Role and the Severity of the Bug

It's crucial to understand the significance of NDI (Network Device Interface). This technology is a cornerstone in professional broadcasting and content creation, enabling the transmission of high-quality video and audio over a network with minimal latency. Online shows, live events, multi-camera productions, and studio-level video production heavily rely on NDI. Any instability directly impacts the workflow of teams, individual streamers, and entire production houses, leading to professional setbacks and a diminished viewing experience for audiences.

Microsoft's Official Confirmation and Technical Explanation

Microsoft has since stepped in, officially confirming the bug and warning users about the potential for severe freezes, delays, and glitchy playback, even under light network load. The company attributes the problem to the NDI Receive Mode, which by default employs the Reliable User Datagram Protocol (RUDP). This protocol appears to be causing conflicts within Windows 11 version 24H2, particularly when the Display Capture feature is utilized in applications such as OBS and NDI Tools.

A Temporary Fix from Microsoft

In response to the growing concern, Microsoft has documented the bug on its Windows Health Dashboard and is conducting a more in-depth investigation. For now, the primary workaround to restore smooth broadcasting involves a manual adjustment of the transport protocol within NDI. Microsoft's recommended steps are as follows:

• Download and install the free NDI Tools package.
• Open the NDI Access Manager application.
• Navigate to the 'Advanced' tab.
• In the 'Receive Mode' field, select either 'Single TCP' or 'UDP' and click 'OK'.
• Repeat these steps on every affected PC.

For those heavily invested in streaming or professional broadcasting, it might be prudent to hold off on installing the KB5063878 update until Microsoft releases a stable patch. This isn't the first time Microsoft's operating system updates have introduced unexpected complications. Previously, a Windows 11 24H2 update infamously reintroduced a 20-year-old bug into GTA: San Andreas, and other updates have caused issues ranging from printers speaking foreign languages to the deprecation of vital security features for older Windows 11 versions.