Windows Updates Break InTime — Keep Flair PC Offline¶
Networking / InTime Resolved All rigs (InTime-based)
Summary¶
Windows updates — especially feature updates and driver updates — regularly break InTime. InTime installs itself at a low level in the Windows networking stack and is tightly coupled to specific kernel and driver versions. A Windows update can silently invalidate this, leaving the robot unreachable after the next reboot.
This is one of the most destructive and hardest-to-diagnose issues in the field because it may not manifest until the PC reboots at a job the following day.
Symptoms¶
- InTime was working, then stopped after a reboot
- InTime icon stays grey / uncoloured after Windows boot
- EtherCAT card no longer shows green lights after an overnight reboot
- PC was left connected to a facility/studio network that pushed Windows updates
- PC was put to sleep and woke up with Windows having applied updates
Root Cause¶
Windows Update, when allowed to run, downloads and installs kernel-level components including network driver updates. These can:
- Replace or modify the driver InTime installed for the Hilscher cifX card
- Corrupt InTime's real-time kernel extension
- Change Windows' internal network stack in a way InTime is not compatible with
Additionally, a PC connected to a local area network (studio or facility Wi-Fi/LAN) may have Windows Update pushed to it automatically from a domain controller without any visible prompt.
Resolution¶
Permanent fix — Disable Windows Update on the Flair PC¶
- Use ShutUp10 (O&O ShutUp10++) or Windows Group Policy to disable Windows Update entirely on the Flair PC.
- Keep the Flair PC disconnected from the internet and from any facility network when not required.
- If the Flair PC must be connected to a network at a venue, use a firewall rule or unplugged LAN cable to prevent update traffic.
Recovery after a bad update¶
- Note the exact InTime version currently installed.
- Uninstall InTime completely.
- Reinstall InTime from the original installer (same version).
- If this does not fix the issue, a full reinstall of Windows followed by InTime reinstall may be required — request a new InTime licence from MRMC/TenAsys as the reinstall may change the OS fingerprint.
Windows Update can be pushed by other PCs on the same network
If the Flair PC is connected to a studio/facility LAN (even through the InTime switch), a Windows Server on that network may push updates automatically. Physically disconnect the Flair PC's standard Windows NIC from any facility network when not needed.
Flair Bridge eliminates this problem
The new Flair Bridge hardware device (introduced with Cinebot Nano in late 2025, rolling out to other rigs) removes InTime and the cifX card from the equation entirely. Flair Bridge operates as a standalone real-time controller, and the Flair PC running Windows (or Mac/Linux) is just a client. Windows updates cannot break a Flair Bridge setup. If InTime stability is a recurring issue, enquire about Flair Bridge compatibility for your rig.
WhatsApp Excerpts¶
"Could be that something went wrong during the upgrade process. Did you upgrade from a relatively old F7? Try a complete fresh install and then import settings." — Gordon Eschke (2025-02-05)
"I am also working on a PC that has not been turned on for a year or so. There was a lot of updating that happened. Could this be an issue where the Windows Updates are messing with InTime?" — Josh T. (2025-05-07)
"Windows updates corrupt InTime. Local-networked PC can push updates. Fix: keep Flair PC offline, disable updates, use ShutUp10." — Community (multiple threads)
"Maybe you can try to update a previous one that is working fine in your PC." — Niko (2025-03-11)
See Also¶
- NET win11 intime upgrade — Windows 11-specific InTime compatibility issues
- NET intime dongle os drive — OS reinstall after update breaks InTime licence
- NET bios battery cmos reset — BIOS reset from dead CMOS battery can also break boot