NVIDIA rolls out GeForce hotfix for game performance drops
NVIDIA has released GeForce Hotfix Display Driver 581.94 to address game performance issues reported after the Windows 11 October 2025 update KB5066835. The hotfix is built on the recent Game Ready Driver 581.80 and is available as a separate download through NVIDIA support channels. The company states that the package targets a single issue, where some games show lower performance after installing the latest Windows 11 cumulative update.
The bug appears on systems that have updated to Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 with KB5066835, and in some cases with newer cumulative updates that include the same code changes. Affected users report reduced frame rates and general slowdowns in certain titles after Patch Tuesday, which NVIDIA has now confirmed and linked to the October security update. T
The Windows update delivers improvements to Windows Search reliability, and updates to AI driven Windows features, along with other quality changes.
NVIDIA GeForce Hotfix Driver v581.94 is now available.
This update resolves the following:
✅Lower performance may be observed in some games after updating to Windows 11 October 2025 KB5066835Click below to learn more: ⤵️ https://t.co/qXUeFIew3Z
— NVIDIA Customer Care (@nvidiacc) November 20, 2025
GeForce Hotfix 581.94 does not change game support or add new features on top of 581.80, it only rolls in the workaround for the Windows 11 performance regression. NVIDIA recommends the hotfix for users who have already moved to the October 2025 Windows 11 updates and see frame rate drops in their games, while everyone else can wait until the fix is folded into a future Game Ready or Studio driver. Users who still face non graphics issues from KB5066835, such as WinRE input problems, need to apply the separate Microsoft updates that address those bugs.
Source & Download: NVIDIA
