Windows 11’s May update is causing install failures and slow internet — here’s what we know
Some users are hitting install failures and internet slowdowns after the May 2026 Patch Tuesday update.
Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 is causing trouble for some users. The KB5089549 update, released on May 13, 2026, is reportedly failing to install on certain computers, while a smaller group of users reports that the patch also slows internet performance after installation.
The reports started appearing shortly after the update rolled out through Windows Update (via Neowin). The majority of complaints are coming from users posting on forums like Reddit (links 2 and 3), where affected systems repeatedly attempt to install, then roll back to the previous version. The issue appears tied specifically to Windows 11 systems running the May 2026 cumulative update.
Windows 11 update rollback problem
For some users, the installation never finishes successfully. Instead, the operating system throws an error message saying, "Something didn't go as planned. No need to worry, undoing changes."
That rollback process is important because it means the operating system recovers automatically, rather than leaving devices stuck in an unusable state. While frustrating, the issue does not appear to be causing widespread boot failures or corrupted installations.
Several users claim this is not the first time recent Patch Tuesday updates have failed in the same way. That raises questions about whether a deeper compatibility problem is affecting certain hardware configurations, drivers, or servicing components.
At the time of this writing, Microsoft has not acknowledged the issue. In fact, the health dashboard page isn't listing any known issues related to the latest or any other update.
Slow internet after the update
A smaller number of reports from the Microsoft forums point to another issue. Some users say internet speeds dropped immediately after installing the update.
The complaints are still limited, and there is not enough evidence yet to confirm a widespread networking bug. In many cases, the slowdown can be caused by different factors, from problems in the computer to the network equipment.
What users can do now
If KB5089549 fails to install, Windows 11 will usually revert automatically after the error appears. Users can then try running the update again through Windows Update. However, in my experience, if the install already failed once, then it'll continue to fail.
Some users also clear the SoftwareDistribution cache, run the Windows Update troubleshooter, or temporarily disconnect nonessential peripherals before retrying the installation.
For users seeing internet slowdowns, restarting the network adapter or reinstalling network drivers may help isolate whether the update is directly responsible.
In the case that the update keeps failing to install, I would wait for the next cumulative update.
Currently, though, the reports still appear scattered rather than widespread. Unless the complaints grow significantly, the company may not formally document the issue.
If you haven't installed this cumulative update, check out my comprehensive guide on everything you need to know to protect your computer from buggy updates.
Windows Central's Take
At this point, I'm not surprised if this is another Patch Tuesday update causing installation headaches. Cumulative updates have improved significantly over the years, but the operating system still has to run across a wide range of hardware, drivers, and software configurations. So, every now and then, something may break.
Personally, if the update installs without issues, I'd keep it. Security updates are very important. However, if KB5089549 has already failed once on your computer, I probably wouldn't spend hours troubleshooting it. In my experience, these cumulative updates either install normally or continue failing until the company quietly fixes something on the backend or ships the next patch.
What are your thoughts about this latest Windows 11 update issue? Let me know in the comments.
More resources
Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:
- Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
- Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 22 years of combined experience in IT and technical writing. He holds various professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA and has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
