Server 2012 Datacenter Windows update boot loop

david.thomson

December 11, 2019 at 2:39 pm UTC

Several servers stuck on a reboot cycle after Windows Update last night (Tuesday - Wednesday).

This appears to be a combination of 2019-12 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows Server 2012 for x64-based Systems (KB4530691)
and
2019-12 Servicing Stack Update for Windows Server 2012 for x64-based Systems (KB4532920)

The solution is to boot the server in safe mode and allow the update to fail. This can take a long time.

I think that the way to avoid this is to manually install 2019-12 Servicing Stack Update for Windows Server 2012 for x64-based Systems (KB4532920) before the rollup, but I am still testing this.

I don’t imagine this will impact too many users, but hopefully the above helps someone.

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Replies (4)

Nic-AutomoxDecember 11, 2019

Thanks for sharing this @david.thomson!

Anyone else running into this issue?

david.thomsonDecember 12, 2019

Some users on another forum are experiencing the same problem - apparently it is not limited to Server 2012. I walked in to the same three servers in a boot loop this morning, so I would be careful with the patches released this week.

FanfanDecember 16, 2019

Had the same problem. Had to boot on safe mode, uninstall KB4530691 (2019-12 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows Server 2012 for x64-based Systems) and KB4530677 (2019-12 Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 11 for Windows Server 2012 for x64-based Systems), reboot and reinstall the 2 KBs.
On an another server, to avoid the problem, I’ve installed first KB45332920 (2019-12 Servicing Stack Update for Windows Server 2012 for x64-based Systems), reboot and then install the 2 other KBs.

Nic-AutomoxDecember 16, 2019

Your fix sounds like the same approach @david.thomson is using, so it’s good to get confirmation on the workaround!

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