Microsoft outage updates: Windows, Xbox, Crowdstrike down worldwide
BUSINESSES worldwide are experiencing blue screen errors and device reboots on PCs and laptops due to a global CrowdStrike service outage.
Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Suncorp, Microsoft 365, Foxtel, and the ABC are all among those impacted, according to Down Detector.
Airlines and and train companies are also suffering issues due to the major outage.
Users of Windows PCs reported their machines involuntarily shutting, with attempts to restart them met with a "blue screen of death" with Windows unable to load.
CrowdStrike pushed out an update to its Falcon software on Friday which is believed to have caused the issue.
"CrowdStrike is aware of reports of crashes on Windows hosts related to the Falcon Sensor," the company wrote in response.
Newsrooms and television networks have all been plunged into chaos by the IT outage.
In the UK, Sky News is off air, while Britain’s biggest train company has warned passengers to expect disruption because of “widespread IT issues”.
Overnight, Microsoft confirmed it was investigating an issue with its services and apps.
Follow our blog for the latest updates on the current Microsoft outages...
Train Passengers Urged to Check Routes
Passengers travelling by train this morning are advised to check their routes as widespread cancellations and delays cause significant disruption.
South Western Railway has confirmed that passengers will face major disruptions this morning.
"Due to IT issues across the South Western Railway network all ticket vending machines are currently non operational," a message read on X.
"Please purchase your ticket online, on the train or speak to a member of station staff.
"We apologise for the inconvenience this causes."
National Rail has also warned of cancellations and delays due to the widespread IT chaos.
For updates on all train services, follow this link.
'Blue Screen of Death'
Users are facing a relentless barrage of blue screens, completely locking them out of their PCs. Problems have been reported across the UK, Germany, the US, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Japan.
Microsoft and CrowdStrike engineers are working urgently to resolve the issue.
CrowdStrike identifies issue
Cybersecurity software firm CrowdStrike has pinpointed a flawed antivirus update as the cause of the global outage. The company, which reportedly handles various updates for Microsoft, acknowledged the issue in a post on their website.
Crowdstrike said in a post on their website: “Crowdstrike is aware of reports of crashes on Windows related to the Falcon Sensor.”
They say they are still "working on" fixing it but have since reverted back to the old system to prevent any further disruption.
Sky news blackout
Sky News has also been impacted by the outages, resulting in a complete broadcast halt that left viewers bewildered by the severe disruption.
Friday's Sky News breakfast show disappeared from computer and TV screens, replaced by a statement apologising for the "interruption."
Credit: Sky News Edinburgh Airport confirms delays
Chaos in Edinburgh with long check in queues, security delays and flight information missing from departure boards.
On X, passengers are warning of "massive queues" and uncertainty about whether they will reach their destinations today.
Microsoft 'investigating an issue'
Overnight, Microsoft confirmed it was investigating an issue with its services and apps.
The tech giant’s service health website warning of “service degradation” means users may not be able to access many of the company’s most popular services, used by millions of business and people around the world.
Toby Murray, associate professor in the School of Computing and Information Systems at The University of Melbourne, said: “CrowdStrike Falcon has been linked to this widespread outage. CrowdStrike is a global cybersecurity and threat intelligence company.
“Falcon is what is known as an Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) platform, which monitors the computers that it is installed on to detect intrusions – hacks – and respond to them.
"That means that Falcon is a pretty privileged piece of software in that it is able to influence how the computers it is installed on behave."
NHS hit by the outage
NHS staff have been unable to access critical computer systems, severely impacting their ability to book appointments and consult with patients.
Payment system halts sales
Payment systems are currently disrupted, causing widespread inconvenience.
Chesterfield Football Club have posted that tickets are temporarily unavailable for purchase.
Travel chaos across UK
Brits have been warned of travel chaos amid a global IT outage that has seen trains and planes across the UK cancelled.
Major airports, airlines and railways have been hit by the suspected Crowdstrike issue that saw Microsoft services crash worldwide this morning.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has urged passengers to expect disruption due to "widespread IT issues".
The parent company of Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern issued the alert across social media.
Govia Thameslink Railway is suffering issuesCredit: PA:Press Association
London Stock Exchange down
Businesses including banks, airlines, telecommunications companies, TV and radio broadcasters, and supermarkets are currently offline
London Stock Exchange & Sky News are both currently affected.
There are also reports of payment issues across the UK.
Tech meltdown
A MAJOR global tech outage has sparked chaos with flights grounded and TV channels and banks knocked offline.
The severe issues at Microsoft have crashed computer systems across the world leaving major businesses, newsrooms and television networks all plunged into chaos.
Sky News has also been rocked by the outages with it going off air completely - leaving viewers baffled by the severe disruption.
A security outage at Delhi AirportCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk Xbox Live problems
Some users of Xbox Live are still reporting issues.
Users began to report the problem on Downdetector at midnight.
'All flights grounded'
Passengers at London Gatwick are reporting that all flights are grounded following the crash.
Expect delays checking in and at security.
"Passengers should still arrive for their normal check-in time. We apologise for any inconvenience and are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible," London Gatwick wrote on X.
Thameslink and Great Northern delays
Thameslink have warned of short-notice cancellations as they battle to find the cause of the problem.
You can use your ticket at no extra cost on the following services:
- Underground services on any reasonable route across London
- South Western & Southeastern services on any reasonable route
- TfL buses across London including towards Sevenoaks
Arrive early for your flight
Ryanair are currently advising passengers to arrive at the airport 3 hours in before their flight to help avoid disruptions.
Many global flights have already been delayed by the IT issue.
Microsoft down
Businesses worldwide are being affected by ongoing issue with Windows users being greeted with the "blue screen of death".