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Windows Update not Working or Loading: Easily Diagnose & Fix
Start by running the Windows Update troubleshooter
9 min. read
Updated onApril 15, 2024
updated onApril 15, 2024
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For fixing Windows errors, we recommend Fortect:
Fortect will identify and deploy the correct fix for your Windows errors. Follow the 3 easy steps to get rid of Windows errors:
Windows 10 is one of the biggest releases that Microsoft ever announced and Windows Update made a colossal difference to the overall user experience.
While they are supposed to download automatically, the process is not always as streamlined as intended and glitches can occur.
For some users, Windows Update not working issues occur frequently, while others may stumble across this problem occasionally when performing specific tasks.
Let’s quickly go through the most common scenarios for which Windows 10 updates won’t install and check out the culprits behind each of them.
Why is my Windows Update not working?
If Windows is unable to finish installing an update, check to confirm that you are properly connected to the Internet and that your hard disk has sufficient free space, as these are the two most common causes.
You might also try restarting your computer, or you could check to make sure that Windows drivers were installed successfully.Here is a list of the most common Windows Update errors that users reported getting in Windows 10:
This being said, let’s see what you can do if Windows 10 or 11 won’t install. If you still can’t seem to fix the issue, check out our last section with similar articles that cover more update-related errors.
What to do if Windows Update is not working?
1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
Microsoft’s Windows Update Troubleshooter is a good way of knowing the problem if it is not too complex. It is almost everyone’s first choice whether a newbie or a professional.
Unfortunately, it does not always manage to solve the issue. It will most likely retrieve a result that resembles this description:Windows Update troubleshooting couldn’t identify the problem.
Running the troubleshooter can also help you fixWindows Update error code 0xc007000d; read this guide to learn more.
Whether it fixes your problem or not, it can surely provide you with useful information, so don’t be shy touse the Windows Update troubleshooter in Windows 10 or 11. Anyways, if Windows Troubleshooter is not working, move on to our next solution.
2. Use System Restore to roll back and uninstall a bad update
If Windows Update is not working, System Restore might be the best way to fix it. This makes your computer back into the past when it was working fine, so follow the steps above to get this done.
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ClickUpdate & Security.
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In this new window, you need to selectView update historyand find the last successful update installed on your Windows.
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You will now see a list of updates installed on your system.
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Click on theUninstall updatesat the top.
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When you clickUninstall updates, a new window will pop up which shows the new updates that are installed on the PC.
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You can choose to uninstall any of these updates but proceed with caution as uninstalling a critical update will lead to a PC that is full of bugs.
After the completion of the restore, your computer will work fine.
Needless to say, the solution implies you already have created a restore point to which you want to revert now. If youcan’t find a restore point, you may need to create one manually.
One drawback of using Windows’ own Restore point is that, while it creates an identical picture of your PC’s contents at any given time, you may wind up copying data that is already flawed or corrupted.
3. Install a fresh version of Windows
If nothing works for you, then it is a wise choice to install Windows freshly using the Microsoft 10 Install Drive.
For this option, it is very important that youcreate a backup of your dataon an external drive because this option will erase all of it.
Moreover, the product ID of your license should be saved or should be written in a safe place before reinstalling your Windows.
4. Scan your PC for malware
If Windows Update is not working, you will have to make sure your PC is clean and does not have any kind of malware.
To do so, you can either use the built-in tool, Microsoft Defender, or download a reliable antivirus with professional malware scanning tools, such asESET HOME Security Essential.
Whatever you choose, you need to make sure your security programs are up to date to keep your PC safe.
5. Delete all files from the Software Distribution directory
After doing that, try to download updates manually and check if the problem is resolved.
If Windows Update is not working on your PC, you might be able to solve the problem simply bydeleting files from theSoftwareDistributiondirectory.
Sometimes files in this directory can become corrupted and that can cause this problem to appear.
net stop wuauservnet stop cryptSvcnet stop bitsnet stop msiserverren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\SoftwareDistribution.oldren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2\catroot2.oldnet start wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver
If youcannot run Command Prompt as an adminor if it is simply not available for whatever reason, you can also use PowerShell.
6. Change your DNS
Sometimes, your default DNS might present specific issues such as theserver not respondingor others that prevent you from using Windows Update.
If Windows Update stopped working, changing your DNS server should solve the issue.
How to delete Windows 10 updates that won’t install?
Windows 10 saying you’re not up to date can be problematic, but we’re confident you will be able to getthose updates running in no time with our tips.
What can I do if Windows Update is not working on Windows 11?
Windows 11 will automatically check for and install any available updates, helping to keep your computer’s operating system secure and reliable.However, it is possible that these updates will not install properly, in which case you will see an error related to Windows 11 Windows Update.
The term Windows Update error is a catch-all phrase that refers to a wide variety of glitches, complications, and blunders that prohibit the updating procedure from operating in an orderly fashion. Check out our post on7 tips to fix the Windows Update in Windows 11.
Moreover, one of the most common errors is0x80070057 that mostly occurs with Windows 10but it’s easily moved to other apps, so you will want to fix this as soon as possible.
Besides that, another error you may get whenupdating your OS is 0x800f081f, this error can easily be fixed by updating your drivers or performing a clean install.
This isn’t the only issue you can encounter, and we already covered the0x8024001e error in the Windows Update, so don’t miss it.
Now, Windows Update errors come in many shapes and sizes. If you ever get stuck, help is no further than a click away.
More about the topics:windows 10,Windows 11,Windows Update
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
Reviewed byVlad Turiceanu
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.More about Vlad ›
