- Microsoft released an out-of-band update, KB5085516, to fix critical sign-in issues on Windows 11.
- The bug introduced by the March 2026 Patch Tuesday (KB5079473) affected apps such as Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, Edge, Excel, Word, and Copilot.
Microsoft is now releasing the Out-of-band (OOB) update KB5085516 as builds 26200.8039 and 26100.8039 for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 to address a problem preventing users from signing in to apps using a Microsoft account after installing the March 2026 update.
On March 10, 2026, the company began rolling out the third Patch Tuesday Update of 2026 for versions 25H2 and 24H2, with new features, improvements, and fixes. However, shortly after the KB5079473 update for versions 25H2 and 24H2, some users began experiencing sign-in issues with apps such as Teams (free), OneDrive, Edge, Excel, Word, and Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Even when the device has a working Internet connection, a “no Internet” error appears during sign-in and prevents access to Microsoft services and apps
, the company noted.
It’s important to note that this problem affects only devices using a Microsoft account. Computers using an Entra ID are not affected.
Microsoft quickly acknowledged the issue and provided a workaround to mitigate it, but now it’s issuing the March 21, 2026—KB5085516 (OS Build 26200.8039) Out-of-band update to permanently resolve the problem.
Windows 11 25H2 update KB5085516
- Release date: March 21, 2026.
- Builds: 26200.8039 (25H2), 26100.8039 (24H2).
- Purpose: Fixes an issue signing in to apps with a Microsoft account.
- Affected versions: Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2.
If you have a computer affected by these bugs, you should install this update immediately by going to Settings > Windows Update and clicking the “Check for updates” button.
Alternatively, you can download and install the update KB5085516 from the Microsoft Update Catalog for Windows 11.
This out-of-band update includes all fixes and improvements from the original March 2026 Security update, released March 10, 2026.
Out-of-band (OOB) updates explained
Out-of-band updates are emergency patches released outside the regular monthly schedule. Microsoft issues them to address urgent problems (such as newly discovered security flaws or critical bugs) that can’t wait for the next Patch Tuesday.
These updates are cumulative, meaning they include all previous fixes (security and non-security) plus the new targeted resolution.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 22 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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