Microsoft Says October Updates Didn't Actually Fix VPN Issues

Microsoft has clarified that its October 2026 Windows 11 cumulative updates did not rectify issues with Always On VPN connections. Always On VPN, a replacement for the older DirectAccess technology, enables secure tunnels to corporate networks for various Windows systems. Microsoft initially reported the bug in late September, noting it affected Windows 11 24H2 and later versions post September 2026 security updates.

The problem manifested when automatic protocol selection or protocol fallback was enabled, causing VPN connections to become stuck in the "Connecting" state or fail to connect altogether. In some instances, further connection attempts displayed the error "The specified port is already in use." Following the release of the October 2026 Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft incorrectly marked the bug as resolved.

However, they have since reinstated its status to "Mitigated" and issued a statement apologizing for the confusion. A fix is slated for release in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, Microsoft has provided a temporary solution. Affected users must select one of two VPN tunneling protocols to circumvent the issue while awaiting the permanent resolution.