lualatex.fmt is incorrectly created in the output directory

[PHPirates]

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  Submitting a MiKTeX problem report

After clicking 'check for updates' in the MiKTeX console, compilation fails on a missing lualatex.fmt file.

To reproduce:

• Go to the MiKTeX console and click 'check for updates', then wait for the check to complete
• Run lualatex -output-directory=out small2e

Expected result

Pdf file created in out directory

Actual result

The out directory only contains lualatex.log, texsys.aux and lualatex.fmt, and the compilation fails with

2025-02-26 10:36:20,030+0100 ERROR lualatex - output:
2025-02-26 10:36:20,030+0100 ERROR lualatex - Building format 'lualatex' with engine 'luahbtex'...

Sorry, but: Windows API error 2: The system cannot find the file specified.

2025-02-26 10:36:20,030+0100 FATAL lualatex.core - The memory dump file could not be found.
2025-02-26 10:36:20,030+0100 FATAL lualatex.core - Data: fileName="lualatex.fmt"
2025-02-26 10:36:20,030+0100 FATAL lualatex.core - Source: Programs\TeXAndFriends\luatex\miktex\miktex.cpp:74
2025-02-26 10:36:20,030+0100 FATAL lualatex - The memory dump file could not be found.
2025-02-26 10:36:20,031+0100 FATAL lualatex - Info: fileName="lualatex.fmt"
2025-02-26 10:36:20,031+0100 FATAL lualatex - Source: Programs\TeXAndFriends\luatex\miktex\miktex.cpp
2025-02-26 10:36:20,031+0100 FATAL lualatex - Line: 74

Background info

LuaHBTeX, Version 1.21.0 (MiKTeX 25.2)

The second compilation succeeds, but checking for updates will again reproduce it.
The issue is not present when using pdflatex, or when not using an output directory.

miktex-report.txt

miktex-logs.zip

[koobs]

HI @edocevoli 👋🏽 I hit this issue after updating miktex yesterday and was thankful to have found it already reported and resolved.

Do you have a plan for the next point release date that includes this bugfix given the scope of the impact? Alternatively, is there a location (CI, or otherwise) where one can obtain an updated release or binary to test this fix for you in the meantime?

I'm currently blocked with a fresh (outdated, cannot update) miktex installation, and Eisvogel template (https://github.com/Wandmalfarbe/pandoc-latex-template) errors/wants ! Package pagecolor Error: Newer LaTeX format needed or older pagecolor package

Thank you for your ongoing effort with MiKtTeX ❤