Fix Windows Update Stuck: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting (Win10/11)

Fix Windows Update Stuck: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting (Win10/11)​

Difficulty: Beginner | Time Required: 15 minutes
Windows updates help keep your PC secure and running smoothly, but occasionally an update can get stuck. This guided, beginner-friendly tutorial walks you through quick, safe steps to resolve common stuck-update issues on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The steps are designed to be short and explain why each action helps, so you can fix the problem with confidence.
Introduction
When an update gets stuck, you might see messages like “Checking for updates…,” “Downloading…,” or “Restarting to finish updating” that never complete. This guide focuses on the most reliable, minimally invasive fixes first, before moving to deeper repair options. The methods work across Windows 10 (versions 1809 through 22H2) and Windows 11 (versions 21H2, 22H2 and newer).
Prerequisites (if any)

• Admin rights on the PC to make changes in Settings and run commands.
• Back up important files (just in case). Windows updates are generally safe, but it’s good practice before performing system repairs.
• Laptop users: keep your device plugged into power during the process.
• A stable Internet connection.

Detailed step-by-step instructions
1) Do a quick check and restart

• Save work and close open apps.
• Restart your PC: Start > Power > Restart.
• After reboot, try Windows Update again: Settings > Update & Security (Windows 10) or Settings > Windows Update (Windows 11) > Check for updates.
• If updates still hang, proceed to the next steps.

2) Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter (recommended first)

• Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter. Follow the prompts and apply any fixes suggested.
• Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run. Let it scan and fix common problems.
• Tip: The troubleshooter often fixes corrupted update components or stuck download states automatically.

3) Reset Windows Update components (manual reset)
This releases stuck services and resets update state.

• Open Command Prompt as administrator (Right-click Start > Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)).
• Type these commands, pressing Enter after each line:
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver
  • ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
  • ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start cryptSvc
  • net start bits
  • net start msiserver
• After the services restart, go back to Windows Update and try Check for updates again.
• Why this helps: it clears a corrupted update state that may be preventing new updates from downloading or installing.

4) Clear the Windows Update cache

• In the same admin Command Prompt, you can manually clear the Download folder:
  • Stop the update services (as in step 3).
  • Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and delete everything inside (or simply delete the SoftwareDistribution folder entirely if you prefer).
  • Start the services again (as in step 3) and attempt to update.

5) Run SFC and DISM (system file repair)

• Open an elevated Command Prompt or Windows Terminal (Admin).
• Run these commands in order:
  • sfc /scannow
  • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Wait for each command to complete (it can take several minutes). When finished, restart and try Windows Update again.
• Why this helps: fixes corrupted or missing system files that can block updates.

6) Check disk health and space

• Ensure you have adequate free disk space (Windows Update often needs 20–25 GB free, depending on your updates and drive).
• Check for disk errors:
  • Open Command Prompt as admin and run: chkdsk /f /r
  • You’ll likely be prompted to schedule the check at the next restart; agree and restart your PC.
• A failing drive or full partition can cause updates to stall, so address space or disk issues first.

7) Manually install updates or roll back a problematic update

• If you know a recent update is causing issues, you can uninstall it:
  • Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates. Pick a recent update and remove it, then restart.
  • Windows 11: Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
• After removing the troublesome update, run Check for updates again to reattempt a clean installation of other updates.

8) Consider an in-place repair (keep personal files and apps)

• If updates remain stuck after all the above steps, perform an in-place upgrade repair using an ISO (this is effectively a repair install that preserves files and apps).
• How:
  • Download the Windows 10/11 ISO from Microsoft (choose the edition matching your Windows).
  • Run Setup from the ISO while Windows is running.
  • Choose Keep personal files and apps when prompted.
  • Let the process complete and then check for updates again.
• Notes: This is a safer, non-destructive repair that can fix deeper update issues without a full reset. It does require some time and a working Internet connection.

9) Last resort: Reset this PC

• If everything else fails, you may need to reset Windows (this reinstalls Windows while offering the option to keep or remove files).
• Path: Settings > Recovery > Reset this PC.
• Choose an option: Keep my files or Remove everything. After the reset, run Windows Update again to ensure the system is fully up to date.
• Caution: A reset can affect installed apps and settings, so use it only if other steps don’t resolve the problem.

Version notes

• These steps apply broadly to Windows 10 (from 1809 through 22H2) and Windows 11 (21H2, 22H2 and newer). The exact UI labels may vary slightly between versions, but the underlying components and services are the same.
• If you’re on a long-term servicing or enterprise edition, some steps might be managed by group policy or admin tooling—consult your IT admin in that case.

Tips and troubleshooting notes

• Do not rush updates. If a single update keeps failing, you can hide or skip it temporarily and continue with others, but aim to resolve the root cause so that the update completes.
• Keep backups up to date. Even though these steps are safe, always good to have recent files saved.
• Temporarily disable third-party antivirus if it’s interfering with update installs. Re-enable it after the update completes.
• Power issues can corrupt updates. Always perform updates on a plugged-in device or ensure the battery is sufficiently charged.
• If you have multiple hard drives, ensure Windows Update targets the correct system drive (usually C. This is especially important on systems with SSDs and HDDs or with a System Reserved partition.

Conclusion

• By following these steps, you’ll typically resolve the most common causes of Windows Update getting stuck, including corrupted update components, system file issues, and insufficient disk space.
• The approach is safe, uses built-in tools, and preserves your data in most scenarios. If needed, an in-place repair or reset can finish the job without a full reinstall.
• After a successful update, you’ll enjoy the latest security patches, features, and performance improvements that Windows releases periodically.

Key Takeaways:

• Start with the simplest fixes (troubleshooter, reset update components) to quickly resolve many stuck-update problems.
• Running SFC and DISM helps repair underlying system files that can block updates.
• If stubborn, an in-place repair or, as a last resort, a PC reset will restore update capability without losing personal data in many cases.

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This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.