How To Fix Windows Update Errors Small Business Australia

Windows KB-1380

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How To Fix Windows Update Errors Small Business Australia. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

Keeping your Windows operating system up to date is one of the most important things you can do to protect your business from security threats, bugs, and performance issues. Windows Update delivers critical security patches, driver updates, and feature improvements to keep your devices running smoothly. However, updates can sometimes fail to install, leaving your system vulnerable. This guide walks you through the most effective steps to resolve Windows Update errors on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Quick Fix Steps

Before trying more advanced troubleshooting, try these simple fixes first:

Restart your computer and try checking for updates again.
Ensure you are connected to the internet and can browse websites normally.
Free up disk space on your system drive (usually C:). Windows Update typically requires several gigabytes of free space to download and install updates.
Disconnect any unnecessary USB devices, such as external drives, printers, or webcams, then restart and check for updates.

Detailed Instructions

1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in tool that can automatically detect and fix common update problems.

Select Start, then select Settings.
Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Find Windows Update in the list and select Run.
Follow the on-screen prompts to apply any recommended fixes.
Restart your computer and check for updates again.

2. Reset Windows Update Components

If the troubleshooter does not resolve the issue, you can reset the Windows Update components. This clears the update cache and restarts the related services.

Select Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Type the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver

Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders by typing the following commands, pressing Enter after each:

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

Restart the services you stopped by typing the following commands, pressing Enter after each:

net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Close Command Prompt, restart your computer, and check for updates again.

Renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder will clear your update download history, but it will not delete your personal files or installed programs.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

Windows Update requires a stable internet connection. If you are having trouble connecting, see our guide on Troubleshooting Network Connectivity in Windows 11. Ensure your modem and router are powered on, and try accessing a few different websites to confirm your connection is working.

4. Free Up Disk Space

Windows Update needs adequate free space on your system drive. To check your available space:

Select Start and open File Explorer.
Select This PC from the left pane.
Check the space available on your C: drive under Devices and drives.
If space is low, delete unnecessary files or move large files to an external drive.

Troubleshooting Specific Error Codes

If you see a specific error code when Windows Update fails, note it down. Common codes include 0x80070057 and 0x80240034. You can search the Microsoft support site for the specific code, or include it when you contact our support team.

Regularly installing security patches helps protect your organisation from malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats. Make checking for updates part of your routine IT maintenance.

For more Windows 11 guidance, see our articles on Windows 11 Security Best Practices and How to update Windows.

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