Nvidia has confirmed what many PC gamers suspected: Microsoft’s recent October 2025 Windows 11 update (KB5066835) is causing down game performance on systems across a number of titles. The issue affects systems running both Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 builds, which automatically receive the problematic update.
To tackle the issue, Nvidia has released GeForce Hotfix Display Driver version 581.94, a small emergency patch built on top of its recent Game Ready Driver 581.80. The hotfix restores normal performance in affected games until the company prepares its next fully certified WHQL driver.
A Significant Performance Issue
According to Nvidia, “lower performance may be observed in some games after updating to Windows 11 October 2025 KB5066835 [5561605],” adding that the hotfix includes targeted fixes pulled together quickly based on user reports.
Compared to fully WHQL-certified drivers, hotfix builds undergo a significantly shorter QA cycle of testing, making them optional but useful for users dealing with immediate performance issues.
A Targeted Fix For A Widespread Problem
The issue triggers whenever KB5066835 — or any newer update that includes its components — is installed. As a result, most Windows 11 users on versions 24H2 or 25H2 are likely already affected, as those patches install automatically.
While Nvidia has not listed specific games, early reports from players suggest major titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, CS2, Rise of the Ronin, and Star Citizen. In some cases, FPS reportedly dropped by as much as 50%, making the release of this emergency driver all the more urgent.
The hotfix is available for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems through Nvidia’s Customer Care support page. Users running the Nvidia app may notice incorrect or inconsistent timestamps due to a known display bug; however, version 581.94 is the latest release as of November 20.
How To Check If Your PC Is Affected
If you are on Windows 11:
- Open Settings > System > About
- Check your OS build number
-
- 25H2: 26200.6899 or newer
- 24H2: 26100.6899 or newer
If you see either of the above, your system includes the problematic changes.
How To Fix The Gaming Slowdowns
To restore smooth performance:
- Download GeForce Hotfix Display Driver 581.94 from Nvidia’s Customer Care support page.
- Install the driver manually.
- Restart your PC.
- Launch your games and check for improvements.
Users who installed the hotfix report immediate FPS recovery, especially in demanding titles.
Looking Ahead
Nvidia confirmed that the improvements will be included in its next official full Game Ready driver. Meanwhile, Microsoft is expected to resolve the remaining update-related problems in upcoming cumulative releases.
In the meantime, if your games started running slower after the October Windows update, installing Nvidia’s hotfix is the fastest and most reliable solution.
