A recent Windows 11 update has triggered a serious issue affecting the system’s built-in recovery tools. The October 2025 build, labeled KB5066835, has caused USB keyboards and mice to stop working within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), leaving many users unable to interact with critical troubleshooting menus.
WinRE is designed to help users fix startup failures and access repair options. But with USB input devices becoming unresponsive, the recovery process is now practically inaccessible for those relying on modern peripherals. Thankfully, the bug does not affect regular system use since USB devices continue to function normally once Windows is fully booted, but within the recovery interface, they fail to respond entirely.
Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and confirmed that a fix is in development. Until then, affected users are left with few options. The only systems unaffected appear to be those using legacy PS/2 keyboards or mice, which retain functionality in the recovery mode.
This glitch is particularly alarming because the recovery environment is the default fallback when a PC fails to boot. With no working input, many users could find themselves locked out of essential system tools in the event of a crash or startup error.
The company said it has updated its support documentation to reflect the issue and advised users to create external recovery media as a precaution. The fix is expected to roll out soon, but users are being urged to back up their data and consider postponing the KB5066835 update if it has not yet been installed.