- Windows 11’s March Update has an annoying bug
- It breaks some apps that use a Microsoft account login, including OneDrive, Edge, and the free version of Teams
- Microsoft has a solution, but doesn’t sound entirely convinced about it – although thankfully a patch is already on the way and should arrive soon
Windows 11’s latest update suffers from a bug that has broken some apps that use a Microsoft account login.
Bleeping Computer reports that the March update released last week (known as KB5079473) has broken Microsoft account logins for OneDrive and the Edge browser, as well as the free version of Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 Copilot, along with Microsoft Word and Excel.
Microsoft explains: “As a result of this issue, login attempts will display an error message with text similar to ‘You must use the Internet for this. It does not appear that you are connected to the Internet’. This appears even if the device is connected to the Internet.”
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As for what can be done here, Microsoft’s advice is: “This problem occurs when the device enters a specific network connection state and can resolve itself. If you encounter this problem, restart the device while keeping it connected to the Internet. This should fix the device’s connection state and prevent the problem from occurring.”
This is an error that affects consumers more since it is Microsoft accounts that cause the problem. Microsoft clarifies that companies using Entra ID will not be affected, and it is only Microsoft Teams Free that has a problem (via Microsoft account login, which is prevalent with the free version).
That said, Windows 11 Enterprise versions have encountered other bugs with the March Update that Microsoft has been forced to release emergency patches for. This includes an issue where Bluetooth devices are not visible so you cannot connect them to the PC.
Analysis: the solution sounds a bit hit-or-miss, but luckily a patch is imminent
If you’ve had problems with Edge or OneDrive login, or indeed any of the other pieces of software mentioned, since installing last week’s Windows 11 update, now you know the problem. And it can be pretty nasty to come across as people might assume there is something wrong with their internet connection and end up having a frustrating time trying to troubleshoot a problem that doesn’t actually exist.
As for the bundled solution from Microsoft, it’s actually the old standby: turn it off, turn it back on. However, it’s not too encouraging to read that Microsoft thinks this ‘should fix’ the internet connection, which doesn’t sound as definitive as I’d like. Fingers crossed basically.
Microsoft says it’s working on a fix for the bug and that it should be fixed in the “next few days,” so the good news is that at least this particular network-related gremlin shouldn’t hang around for long.
Note that the February preview update – the optional release just before the March patch – also contained a very nasty bug for Samsung laptops where access to the system drive (C:) was lost. This was the fault of the Samsung Galaxy Connect app, mind, and not Windows 11, but if you were unlucky enough to get hit, here’s how to extricate yourself from that particular mess.
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