Microsoft issues emergency update to fix sign-in problems

Some Windows 11 users complained of being locked out after the latest Patch Tuesday

Microsoft has released an emergency update to fix a Windows 11 glitch affecting authentication across multiple apps, including Teams Free, OneDrive and Copilot.

The issue was introduced by the 10^th March Patch Tuesday update KB5079473 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2.

Cause of the issue

Microsoft says the problem is linked to faulty network connectivity detection. Although affected devices remain online, Windows incorrectly reports that no internet connection is available during Microsoft account authentication.

“As a result of this issue, sign in attempts will display an error message with text similar to ‘You'll need the Internet for this. It doesn't look like you're connected to the Internet’,” the company explains in a Windows 11 health status update. “This appears even if the device is connected to the internet.”

The issue affects only personal Microsoft accounts and does not impact organisations using Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) for authentication.

Affected applications

Affected users are presented with an error message stating: “You'll need the Internet for this”, even when connected. The issue affects Microsoft Teams Free and OneDrive, as well as Microsoft Edge, Word, Excel, and Microsoft 365 Copilot whenever a Microsoft account sign-in is required.

Mitigation

Microsoft initially advised affected users to restart their PCs while connected to the internet, which could temporarily reset the faulty connectivity state. However, the company has now released KB5085516, an optional out-of-band update that permanently resolves the issue.

The fix is available via Windows Update and the Microsoft Update Catalog for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 devices.

Microsoft recommends installing the latest updates to prevent the issue recurring.

Microsoft regularly has to issue emergency fixes following its cumulative monthly Patch Tuesday updates, which are installed by default.

In January, the company rushed out several out-of-band updates after that month’s Patch Tuesday caused multiple problems, from broken remote desktop access and reboot loops to Outlook crashes.