Windows 11 wallpaper black after update? Install the latest Windows cumulative update. Microsoft resolved the personalization problem in updates released on or after September 8, 2026, including KB5124008.
The original issue affected some Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 devices. KB5124008 also fixes the related cursor-reset problem on non-English installations. Use rollback only when the corrected update cannot be installed and the problem began with KB5120998.
Open Settings > Windows Update, select Check for updates, and install the latest cumulative update. Microsoft says the issue is resolved in updates released on or after September 8, 2026, including KB5124008. Restart the PC, then reselect the wallpaper if needed. Consider uninstalling KB5120998 only if the corrected update is unavailable or fails to install.
Microsoft released KB5120998 on August 27, 2026, as an optional preview update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. Microsoft later confirmed that some desktop settings can fail to load after this update or later updates, causing Windows to display a solid black background.
Microsoft says manually selecting the wallpaper again may not work while the issue is active because Windows cannot load the affected desktop settings correctly. Slideshow settings and contrast themes may also be affected.
The mouse-pointer problem is related but narrower. Microsoft says cursor selections and animations can revert on non-English Windows installations. It has not said that the black-background issue is limited to non-English systems, so the two problems should not be treated as identical.
Who Is Affected by the Black Wallpaper Problem?
Microsoft lists Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 as affected by the desktop-background issue. The originating preview builds are 26100.9278 for 24H2 and 26200.9278 for 25H2.
Check your version by pressing Windows + R, entering winver, and selecting OK. Then open Settings > Windows Update > Update history to see whether KB5120998 or a later cumulative update is installed.
See other current Windows update symptoms and recovery options in this related troubleshooting guide.
How to Fix a Black Wallpaper After the Windows 11 Update
Start with the permanent fix. Open Settings > Windows Update, select Check for updates, install KB5124008 or a later cumulative update, and restart. Microsoft confirms that KB5124008 fixes the black-background and personalization-settings problem.
If Windows Update does not offer the corrected update, run the Windows Update troubleshooter and try again. Roll back KB5120998 through Settings only as a temporary fallback when the fix cannot be installed.
Optional Rollback: Uninstall KB5120998 from Settings
- Open Settings (Windows key + I).
- Select Windows Update in the left sidebar.
- Select Update history.
- Scroll down and select Uninstall updates.
- Find KB5120998 in the list.
- Select Uninstall next to it, then confirm.
- Restart your PC when prompted.
- After Windows restarts, reapply your wallpaper (Settings > Personalization > Background) and your cursor scheme (Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Additional mouse settings > Pointers) if needed.
After restarting, open Settings > Personalization > Background and select your wallpaper again. If the update cannot be uninstalled, do not force removal with DISM unless you have a verified backup and understand Windows servicing recovery. Wait for Microsoft’s cumulative fix instead.
Removing an update reverses every change included in that package and may introduce other problems. Create a backup first. Do not uninstall a later security update merely because its history mentions KB5120998; confirm the exact installed package and use the normal Settings interface.
If KB5124008 Is Not Offered or Fails
Do not pause all Windows updates. KB5124008 is a security update and contains the permanent personalization fix. If it is missing, restart Windows, run Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update, and check again.
If removal fails with error 0x80073712, use our Windows Update error 0x80073712 guide before attempting advanced servicing commands.
Restore Your Wallpaper or Cursor Settings
After Windows restarts, go to Settings > Personalization > Background and choose the correct picture, slideshow, or Windows Spotlight option. For the pointer, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Additional mouse settings > Pointers and select your preferred scheme.
If the choices immediately revert again, stop repeatedly changing them. The confirmed issue prevents affected settings from loading, so the lasting solution must come through a corrected Windows update.
Keep a note of the wallpaper file and cursor scheme you use. This makes restoration quicker after Microsoft releases the fix or after you roll back the optional preview.
Microsoft’s Resolution: KB5124008
Microsoft resolved both problems in updates released on or after September 8, 2026. KB5124008 fixes desktop backgrounds and other personalization settings that failed to load, along with the related cursor-customization issue.
Install KB5124008 or any later cumulative update offered for the device. A later cumulative update includes earlier fixes, so you do not need to locate this exact package if Windows Update offers something newer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official fix for KB5120998 yet?
Yes. Microsoft resolved the issue in updates released on or after September 8, 2026, including KB5124008. Install the latest cumulative update and restart Windows.
Is it safe to uninstall KB5120998?
KB5120998 was an optional preview update, so rolling back that exact package can be reasonable when it directly caused the problem. Back up first and do not remove a later cumulative security update without confirming what it contains.
Does this bug affect English-language Windows 11 installs?
The cursor-reset issue is specifically connected to non-English Windows installations. Microsoft does not limit the separate black-background issue to non-English systems.
Will reapplying my wallpaper fix the black background?
Usually not. Microsoft says the affected desktop settings may fail to load regardless of the value you select, so the background can return to black until Windows receives a corrected update or the triggering preview is rolled back.
Can I pause updates instead of uninstalling?
Avoid pausing all updates because that can delay security fixes. Instead, turn off early optional updates and do not manually reinstall KB5120998 while waiting for Microsoft’s resolution.
Will I lose my wallpaper and cursor settings permanently?
Microsoft says the problem prevents settings from loading; it does not say your image file is deleted. After the issue is resolved or the optional preview is rolled back, select your wallpaper and pointer scheme again.
Use the Safest Available Fix
A Windows 11 wallpaper turning black after KB5120998 is a confirmed personalization-settings problem that Microsoft has now fixed. Install KB5124008 or a later cumulative update, restart, and restore the wallpaper if necessary. Use rollback only when the corrected update cannot be installed, and avoid registry guesses or forced DISM removal.
