Microsoft's latest Windows 11 update is breaking sign-ins with Microsoft accounts across multiple apps after the KB5079473 cumulative update was released as part of March's Patch Tuesday. The glitch creates a frustrating paradox for users: they encounter error messages claiming they lack internet connectivity when they are, in fact, online.
The list of affected applications includes Microsoft Teams Free, OneDrive, Microsoft Edge, Excel, Word, and Microsoft 365 Copilot, which will display the same error message for features that require a Microsoft account sign-in. The error message states: 'You'll need the Internet for this. It doesn't look like you're connected to the Internet.' This appears even if the device is connected to the Internet.
The timing of this issue matters. It hasn't been a good year for Windows updates. January brought a string of out-of-band fixes after Patch Tuesday caused woes for some users, including remote desktop sign-in problems and difficulties when saving or opening cloud storage files, which, in some instances, resulted in Outlook hanging if the PST file was stored on OneDrive. This latest incident continues a troubling pattern for those managing Windows 11 deployments.
There is one silver lining for enterprise environments. Entra ID or Azure Active Directory authentications and sign-ins are not affected by this issue. Organisations that have moved to modern identity management will continue operating normally, but any individual relying on a Microsoft account to access these services faces an immediate barrier.
Microsoft has identified the root cause as a specific network connectivity state that devices enter after the update installs. Microsoft notes that the error occurs due to a specific network connectivity state. In many cases, restarting the device while keeping it connected to the Internet resolves the problem. However, restarting without an active connection may return the device to the faulty state, triggering the issue again. The workaround is clunky and offers no guarantee of a permanent fix on the first attempt.
The company has acknowledged the severity of the problem and committed to action. Microsoft is currently investigating exactly why logins are failing and plans to release a patch in the coming days. Microsoft wrote that it is 'working to release a resolution for this issue in the next few days', suggesting yet another out-of-band update to deal with whatever the company broke in the March 10 update for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2.
For users managing multiple devices or supporting others remotely, the practical implications are clear: until Microsoft releases the fix, they will need to guide affected individuals through restarted procedures while maintaining an active internet connection. For business operations dependent on quick access to cloud storage and collaboration tools, this creates real friction. The wider question remains why updates that should improve security continue introducing basic functionality regressions that disrupt millions of users worldwide.