After you install KB5033375 on your Windows 11 computer, you might find your Wi-Fi connection is broken. This is a bug in this update. To remove this bug, you can choose to uninstall KB5033375 using the method mentioned in this MiniTool post. Microsoft should release a further official fix later.
Windows 11 KB5033375 Breaks Wi-Fi
KB5033375 is a mandatory security update for Windows 11 22H2 all editions and Windows 11 23H2 all editions. Microsoft released this update to fix bugs, but KB5033375 is causing Wi-Fi connection issues.
After the release of KB5033375, many users reported Wi-Fi connection issues. If you search now, you will still get relevant feedback.
As we know so far, Microsoft has yet to provide a statement regarding the reports. However, according to user accounts, the problem was initially identified in an elective KB5032288 update and has subsequently made its way into KB5033375, an obligatory update.
The glitch appears to impact at least two December updates: KB5033375 (a mandatory security update) and KB5032288 (an optional update). There is a perception that the problem is specifically confined to Qualcomm’s older wireless adapters, predominantly employed in public universities.
Though the bug does impact Qualcomm adapters, there is a possibility that the issue is associated with corrupted PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol) settings in Windows resulting from recent updates. Observations indicate that the problem specifically affects Wi-Fi connections utilizing PEAP.
According to a discussion on Microsoft forums, Wi-Fi issues arise on WPA2 Enterprise SSIDs when combined with 802.11r. While disabling 802.11r appears to resolve connectivity problems, it is not an ideal solution due to potential roaming issues.
The problem appears to be widespread, with reports emerging from different universities and educational institutions.
How to Fix Wi-Fi Connection Issues Caused by KB5033375 Update?
If Windows 11 KB5033375 breaks Wi-Fi connections, you can try the following ways to fix the problem.
Way 1: Switch PEAP to EAP-TLS
A rapid solution involves transitioning from PEAP to EAP-TLS, offering an alternative to password-based authentication.
Way 2: Disable 802.11r on the Impacted SSID
Another option is to disable 802.11r on the impacted SSID since the issue seems to originate from the 4-Way Handshake. However, this may not be an optimal resolution.
Way 3: Upgrade the Wireless Adapters
You can also update your wireless adapters to fix the Wi-Fi connection issues. Some users report this method is useful. You can also have a try.
Way 4: Uninstall KB5033375
If upgrading your wireless adapters is not feasible, consider uninstalling the update using either the Settings app or Command Prompt.
How to uninstall KB5033375 in Settings
Step 1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Step 2. Click Windows Update from the left panel and then go to Update history > Uninstall updates.
Step 3. Find Security Update for Microsoft Windows (KB5033375) and click the Uninstall button next to it. Then, click Uninstall on the pop-up interface to confirm the operation.
How to uninstall KB5033375 using Command Prompt
Step 1. Run Command Prompt as administrator.
Step 2. Type this command wusa /uninstall /kb:5033375, then press Enter to run it.
Step 3. Windows Update Standalone Installer will show you a message saying:
Do you want to uninstall the following Windows software update?
Security Update for Microsoft Windows (KB5033375)
Click the Yes button to start the uninstallation.
Step 3. Click the Restart Now button to restart your PC and apply the changes.
If you don’t want to install this update again, you can temporarily turn off Windows Update or block this update.
Recover Your Data if Necessary
If you lose or delete your files by mistake, you can use MiniTool Power Data Recovery, the best free data recovery software for Windows, to get your files back.
This data restore tool can recover files from internal hard drives, external hard drives, SSDs, SD cards, memory cards, USB flash drives, and other types of storage devices. You can first try MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free Edition.
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You can use this software to scan the drive you want to recover data from and see if it can find your needed files. If you want to recover more than 1GB of files, you need to upgrade to a full edition.
Bottom Line
Microsoft should know that KB5033375 is causing Wi-Fi connection issues and there should be an official fix sooner or later. But the top priority is how you can solve this problem yourself first. You can try the above methods. We hope they are the things you are looking for.