Struggling with how to fix Windows Update errors, stuck downloads, or failed installations? You’re not alone. This comprehensive guide will walk you through step-by-step solutions to troubleshoot and fix Windows Update problems. Whether you’re dealing with error codes, slow updates, or a completely broken update system, this guide is sure to assist you in your recovery.
Basic issues and fixes related to Windows Update
Let us first cover the most basic and common issues you’ll discover when troubleshooting Windows Update error messages. The first one is relatively easy.
Seriously – Restart your Windows PC
Yes, restart your computer. You know the old adage – “If all else fails, reboot.” But, in this case, if it’s quite convenient, rebooting Windows can resolve an issue with the Windows Update subsystem. Because the service is so fundamental to Windows itself, there are a great number of services, temporary files, etc. that make up that infrastructure. So, instead of restarting this service, and deleting these files… just reboot.
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
If you’re still experiencing issues with Windows Update, run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
- Click the Start button, and click on Settings.
- In the System category, scroll down and click on the ‘Troubleshoot‘ item.
- Click ‘Other troubleshooters‘.
- Next to the ‘Windows Update‘ item, click the Run button.
You’ll be able to click through a mini-wizard to identify your issue and hopefully be presented with a resolution or steps on how you can resolve your issue.
If you’re having a problem installing a specific update, you’ll be able to have the Windows Update automated diagnostic resolve things for you.
Advanced techniques and solutions to fix Windows Update
Let’s run through some more advanced and helpful topics around troubleshooting and fixing Windows Update.
Reset Windows Update core components
We can utilize Windows Terminal in administrative mode to more granularly reset the core Windows Update components. Let’s start by opening an admin Windows Terminal shell.
First, we’ll stop the core Windows Update services. (This will stop the Windows Update, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, Cryptographic and Windows Installer services)
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc
net stop msiserverNext, let’s rename some folders under the C:\Windows tree.
ren c:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren c:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.oldThen, restart the services.
net start wuauserv
net start bits
net start cryptsvc
net start msiserver
Use SFC and DISM to repair system files
Next in our repertoire of weapons against Windows Update are the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) commands to resolve corrupt system files and more general Windows system component integrity.
First, type this at an admin command line.
sfc /scannow
SFC checks all the core ‘system’ files of Windows and verifies their integrity. If any files are not 100%, verified files stored in a compressed hidden location are restored to their original location. You can examine the log file at c:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log.
The DISM command also runs a comparison of crucial files against an online database. Use this command to scan for issues:
DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealthIt would appear some issues should be addressed on my PC. I’ll run the command again telling it to restore integrity using the /RestoreHealth switch.
DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Manually download and install patches from the Microsoft Update Catalog
This is probably my personal favorite because it has such a good track record of success… for me. If you are still stuck with a specific update that won’t install or even an older update that has issues, you can manually download the latest cumulative update (LCU) for Windows 10 or Windows 11 by using the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
First, we need to identify what the latest Cumulative Update (LCU) is. You can search in your favorite search engine ‘Windows 10 update history‘ or ‘Windows 11 update history‘ and you’ll find the Microsoft knowledgebase documentation for all supported versions of Windows.
At the top, you’ll find the latest update. The key item is the KB??????? number. This is what you’ll need for the Catalog website. In this instance, as I type this, the February 2025 Patch Tuesday was released – KB5051987.
- Type that in the ‘Search‘ window in the upper-right corner of the Windows Update Catalog website, and you’ll be presented with various downloads.
There’s a download for the most common x64, the ARM-based version (arm64), and then because Windows Server 2025 uses the same underlying build of Windows, it is also presented. Notice the download size of the x64 and Windows Server 2025 is the same.
- After you click the Download button, click each file to download it to your computer.
- Then, double-click on each file. It will automatically let you know if it applies to your version of Windows and/or if it has already been installed.
Because I already ran Windows Update yesterday evening, the patch has already been installed. In this case, it’s good to know for sure.
Run a System Restore
System Restore, if you can believe it, started back in Windows Millenium Edition (Windows Me). This legacy tool takes periodic snapshots of your core Windows system files and allows you to ‘go back in time’ to a state before where you are now. Typically, if you installed a bad piece of software or uninstalled something you need, this can save your day.
- To use System Restore, click the Start button, type in ‘system restore’, and choose ‘Create a restore point‘.
- Here, you can choose a restore point, click Next, and then have it reboot Windows to attempt to revert it to that point in time.
If all else fails with your Windows Update issues
If ALL of the prior methods came up short, you’re down to the most drastic measures. Thankfully, even drastic doesn’t mean hours and hours of recovery time or re-installing everything. This first option was recently introduced in Windows 11.
Use Windows Update to do an in-place Upgrade
This feature is relatively hidden, so here are the steps.
- Click Start, then Settings.
- Click Windows Update -> Advanced Options -> Recovery -> Fix problems using Windows Update.
- Click the ‘Reinstall now‘ button.
Instead of doing a clean install, wiping out EVERYTHING on your device including applications, Windows Update will download the latest version of Windows (Windows 10 22H2 or Windows 11 24H2, as of this writing), and do an in-place upgrade. If all goes as planned, all of your data, files, and applications will remain. This is a very cool option!
Reset Windows
OK, we’re officially at the last resort option.
- In that same location in the Recovery menu of Settings -> System, click the ‘Reset PC‘ button next to the ‘Reset this PC‘ item.
This does give you the option of preserving most of what’s in your local profile – Documents, Downloads, Pictures. But everything else including Windows, and all applications will be wiped. There are many analogies to this strong an option, but look on the bright side – there’s about a 99% chance your Windows Update issues will be gone.
Other troubleshooting issues
There are a few other issues worth addressing. Let’s go through them here.
How do I fix a corrupted Windows 10 update?
The best way to fix a corrupted Windows 10 update is to follow the steps above under the ‘Reset Windows Update core components’ section. This essentially stops all the services related to Windows Update, and renames (removes) the directories that store Windows Update core files.
How to fix stuck Windows updates?
And last but not least, to fix Windows Update in a generally stuck state, perform the same steps as above – resetting all the core components. It’s essentially wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch.
Why Windows Update is critical for your device
Windows Update is an essential component of the Windows operating system designed to give you peace of mind about security, compliance, new features, and stability. One of the primary goals of Windows Update is delivering security patches. Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, and threat actors and hackers frequently exploit software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Microsoft releases security updates monthly to address these vulnerabilities. Without these updates, your device becomes increasingly susceptible to malware, ransomware, and other cyberattacks, potentially compromising your personal data and system integrity.
Windows Update also makes sure you have the latest driver updates, new features, and bug fixes regularly. Windows Update provides these necessary updates, enabling your device to work seamlessly with new peripherals, software, and online services.
Thank you for reading my post on fixing Windows Update. If you have any comments or questions about this post, please leave them below. Thank you for reading!