How to fix Windows Update errors and stuck installations

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix Windows Update errors and stuck installations. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Windows Update is essential for keeping your computer secure and running smoothly, but updates can sometimes fail to download, get stuck during installation, or return cryptic error codes. This guide walks you through the most reliable methods to resolve these issues, starting with the quickest fixes and moving to more advanced troubleshooting where required.

If your PC is also behaving sluggishly after a failed update, you may find our Computer running slow guide useful alongside these steps.

Quick Fix Steps

Before diving into detailed troubleshooting, try these common remedies. They resolve the majority of Windows Update problems.

1. Restart your computer. A simple reboot clears temporary files and resets the Windows Update service. Select Start > Power > Restart.
2. Check your internet connection. Make sure your PC is online and that other websites or apps load normally. If your browser is also misbehaving, see Browser not loading pages.
3. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter. Press Win + I to open Settings, then go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run Windows Update.
4. Free up disk space. Updates require several gigabytes of free space. Open File Explorer, right-click your C: drive, choose Properties, and check the free space indicator.
5. Try the update again. Go to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.

Detailed Instructions

Reset the Windows Update Components

When updates refuse to install, the underlying Windows Update services may be in a bad state. Resetting them forces Windows to recreate the necessary files and connections.

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt by pressing Win + S, typing cmd, right-clicking Command Prompt, and selecting Run as administrator.
2. Stop the relevant services by running each of these commands, pressing Enter after each:
   • net stop wuauserv
   • net stop cryptSvc
   • net stop bits
   • net stop msiserver
3. Rename the existing update folders so Windows can recreate them. Run:
   • ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   • ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
4. Restart the services by running:
   • net start wuauserv
   • net start cryptSvc
   • net start bits
   • net start msiserver
5. Close the Command Prompt and open Settings > Windows Update, then select Check for updates.

Use the System File Checker and DISM

Corrupted system files can prevent updates from installing. The built-in repair tools can scan for and replace these files.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (see step 1 above).
2. Run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool first:
   • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   This may take 15–20 minutes to complete.
3. Once DISM finishes, run the System File Checker:
   • sfc /scannow
4. Restart your computer when both scans complete and try Windows Update again.

Clear the Windows Update Cache Manually

If the reset above did not fully clear the cache, you can remove it manually.

1. Press Win + R, type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download, and press Enter.
2. Select all files in the folder (Ctrl + A) and delete them. Skip any files that are currently in use.
3. Restart your PC and run Windows Update again.

Install Updates Manually from the Microsoft Update Catalogue

When a specific update keeps failing through Windows Update, you can download and install it directly.

1. Open your browser and visit the Microsoft Update Catalogue at catalog.update.microsoft.com.
2. Search for the update using its KB number (found in Settings > Windows Update > Update history).
3. Download the version that matches your Windows edition and system architecture (for example, Windows 11 64-bit).
4. Double-click the downloaded .msu file and follow the prompts to install.
5. Restart your computer when prompted.

Troubleshooting

Updates Download But Fail to Install

This usually points to a corrupted component or insufficient disk space.

• Confirm you have at least 10 GB of free space on your system drive.
• Reset the Windows Update components using the steps above.
• Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
• Temporarily disable third-party antivirus software, then retry the update. Re-enable it once the update completes.

Updates Get Stuck at a Specific Percentage

A stuck percentage often indicates a background service has stalled.

• Wait at least one hour before assuming the update is stuck. Large cumulative updates can take considerable time.
• Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check whether Windows Update, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, or MSI Installer are using CPU or disk activity. If they are idle, the update has stalled.
• Reboot your PC and run the update again. If it stalls at the same percentage, reset the update components.

Error Codes 0x80070002, 0x80070003, or 0x80004005

These errors typically mean files are missing or corrupted.

• Reset the Windows Update components as described above.
• Run the System File Checker and DISM scans.
• Delete the contents of C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and try again.

Error Code 0x800f081f

This error indicates that Windows cannot locate required source files.

• Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth from an elevated Command Prompt.
• If DISM cannot find source files, you may need to insert your Windows installation media or specify an install .wim file using the /Source switch.

Update Loop or Repeated Restart Failures

If your PC keeps restarting during an update, boot into Safe Mode and roll back the update.

1. Hold Shift while selecting Restart from the power menu to enter Windows Recovery Environment.
2. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3. Press 4 for Safe Mode.
4. Once in Safe Mode, go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history and select Uninstall updates.
5. Restart your computer normally.

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