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| Microsoft has released out-of-band update KB5085516 to fix Microsoft account sign-in failures caused by KB5079473 on Windows 11. |
If you’ve been struggling to log into Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, or other Microsoft services on your Windows 11 PC over the past couple of weeks—despite having a perfectly active internet connection—Microsoft has finally released a fix.
The company has rolled out KB5085516, an out-of-band (OOB) update designed to resolve a frustrating sign-in bug introduced by the March 10 cumulative update. This emergency patch was published on March 21, 2026, and is available now for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2.
What Does KB5085516 Fix?
According to Microsoft’s official support page, the issue stemmed from a bug in the previous update, KB5079473 (the March 2026 Patch Tuesday release). After installing that update, some users found they couldn’t sign into apps using their personal Microsoft account.
Even though the PC was online, the system would incorrectly trigger a “no Internet” error message, effectively blocking access to critical apps and services. “The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change,” Microsoft notes in the official documentation, specifying that the fix is targeted specifically at:
- Microsoft account sign-in: Resolving the false “no Internet” error that prevented access to services such as Microsoft Teams Free and OneDrive.
It is important to note that Microsoft clarifies this issue only affected personal Microsoft accounts. Organizations and businesses using Microsoft Entra ID for app authentication were not impacted by this specific sign-in failure.
A Targeted Repair, Not a Feature Update
For those who haven’t been able to access their Microsoft services smoothly over the past week and a half, KB5085516 is a targeted lifeline. While the update is cumulative—meaning it includes all the quality improvements from the previous KB5079473 release—its primary purpose is to squash this specific authentication bug.
Microsoft states that the update is being treated as a focused repair rather than a broad feature enhancement. For users who rely on Microsoft’s ecosystem for work or personal storage, installing this patch is the clearest path back to normal functionality.
How to Get the Update
Microsoft is offering KB5085516 through the standard Windows Update channels. However, the delivery method may vary slightly depending on your settings:
- Automatic Delivery: If you have enabled the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle in your Windows Update settings, the patch should be delivered automatically to your device.
- Manual Installation: If you prefer to manage updates manually, or if you have not yet received the prompt, you can install the fix by navigating to Settings > Windows Update and checking for updates. You can also download the standalone package directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Microsoft has noted that this update is being offered specifically for devices that have already installed the problematic KB5079473 update.
For full details on the patch, you can visit the official support page: March 21, 2026—KB5085516 (OS Builds 26200.8039 and 26100.8039) Out-of-band
Known Issues and Stability
Currently, the outlook for this emergency update appears stable. Unlike many cumulative updates that sometimes introduce new bugs, Microsoft’s support page states:
“Microsoft is not currently aware of any issues with this update.”
For Windows 11 users who have been unable to sign into apps for the past week, KB5085516 represents a clear, official next step. If you were affected by the March Patch Tuesday release, heading to Windows Update to download this out-of-band fix should restore your ability to sign into Microsoft services without the phantom “no Internet” error getting in the way.