Troubleshoot problems updating Windows 10

In Windows 10, you decide when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. This article will help you answer questions and troubleshoot common problems with your Windows 10 update.

If you’re looking for info on how to activate Windows 10 or to verify that your installation of Windows 10 is activated, see Activate Windows 10.

Have issues installing Windows updates? Start here.

Your device may not be able to update to the latest version of Windows 10 for a few reasons. The following tips can help you pinpoint the issue affecting your device.

Before you begin, make sure your device is plugged into a power source and connected to the internet. Then, try the steps listed below to get your PC to update.

Some updates require administrator access. If your account doesn’t have administrator access, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10. Or if someone else at home or in your office has an administrator account on your device, try asking them to install the updates.

Before trying any of the solutions below, make sure you back up your personal files. You can use File History to back up your files to another drive, or insert a USB drive and use File Explorer to drag and copy important files to the USB drive. If you’re signing into Windows with a Microsoft account, your system settings will be automatically restored after updating, once you’re connected to the internet.

You can also back up your files with OneDrive. For more info, go to Back up your Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders with OneDrive.

Make sure that your device has enough space. Your device requires at least 16 GB of free space to upgrade a 32-bit OS, or 20 GB for a 64-bit OS. If your device has a small hard drive, you may need to insert a USB drive to update it.

If your PC is running low on storage, try the techniques at Free up drive space in Windows 10.

Many updates require you to restart your device. Save your work and close all open applications. Then, select Start > Power , and select either Update and restart or Update and shut down.

Even if you have downloaded some updates, there may be more available. After trying the preceding steps, run Windows Update again by selecting Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. Download and install any new updates.

Remove any external storage devices and drives, docks, and other hardware plugged into your device that aren’t needed for basic functionality. Then try to run updates again and see if this resolved your issue. If it didn’t, continue to the next tip.

If you’ve added hardware to your device, check for third-party driver updates and installation instructions on the hardware manufacturer’s website. Update any drivers, then try to run updates again and see if this resolved your issue. If it didn’t, continue to the next tip.

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select Device Manager from the list of results.

In the window that appears, look for any device with a yellow exclamation mark next to it. (You may have to select each category to view the list of devices.) Select the device name.

Select Action, and then choose either Update driver or Uninstall to correct the errors.

Common troubleshooting questions

If you are receiving an error message with a specific error code, try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, see Fix Windows Update errors and follow the instructions to help resolve common update issues.

The time required to download and install updates depends on connection speed, network settings, and the size of the update. If the installation remains stuck at the same percentage, try checking for updates again or running the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

To check for updates, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

To get help, in the search box on the task bar, type get help, then select Get Help from the list of results. To leave feedback if you run into further problems, in the search box on the taskbar, type feedback hub, then select Feedback Hub from the list of results.

Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever, and we recommend you stay updated to protect your PC from security risks and to keep it running smoothly. However, you can temporarily pause updates as well as schedule a restart to install updates at a time that’s convenient for you.
Learn how to temporarily pause updates
Find out how to schedule a restart to install updates at a convenient time

You will only receive a notification when it’s time to restart your computer to apply the installed updates.

If you need to know where you left off in your work after an update, use Timeline to jump back in.

To get started with Timeline, select Task View on the taskbar, or press the Windows logo key +Tab and select the activity you want to resume.

Monthly quality updates on Windows 10 are quite small and have a minimal impact on data usage. Feature updates typically happen twice per year, and you can control when to install them. They require more data but are less frequent.

If you’re on a metered connection, some updates for Windows won’t be installed automatically. Metered connections in Windows 10

Your computer might be slow for a number of reasons, but updating to the latest version of Windows 10 can improve its performance. For help with a slow computer, see Tips to improve PC performance in Windows 10.

If you’re having trouble finding your files after an upgrade, see Find lost files after the upgrade to Windows 10 for other things to try.

Warning: Microsoft only recommends trying the procedures in this section if you’re comfortable working in the command line. These procedures require administrator permissions on your device.

In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, then select Run as administrator from the list of options. Select Yes. Next, in the window that appears, type the following commands one at a time, including the spaces as shown. After you type each command, press Enter. Then let each command complete before you type the next command.

net stop wuauserv

ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak

ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

net start wuauserv

After all these commands are completed, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer.

In some instances, third-party antivirus or security software can cause errors when you try to update to the latest version of Windows 10. You can temporarily uninstall this software, update your PC, and then reinstall the software after your device is up to date. We recommend using third-party antivirus or security software that’s compatible with the latest version of Windows 10. You can check compatibility by visiting the software manufacturer’s website.

Note: Before uninstalling software, make sure you know how to reinstall your programs and that you have any necessary product keys.

In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, and then select Run as administrator from the list of options. Select Yes. In the window that appears, type the following command, including the space as shown:
chkdsk/f C:
and then press Enter. Repairs will automatically start on your hard drive, and you’ll be asked to restart your device.

A clean restart starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps eliminate software conflicts that occur when you install a program or an update that may cause issues updating your PC.
Learn how to do a clean restart

In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, then select Run as administrator from the list of options.

In the window that appears, type this command including spaces as shown:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Press Enter. When the command operation has run successfully, you’ll see a confirmation message from Command Prompt that says, “The restore operation completed successfully” or “The operation completed successfully”.
Note: If you don’t see a confirmation message, retype the command and try again.

Next, type this command, including the space as shown:
sfc /scannow

Press Enter. Wait until the sfc scan verification reaches 100% completion, and then close Command Prompt.

Try running the Windows Update again.

Go to the software download page and select Download tool now to download the clean installation tool. Make sure to carefully read the notes on the software download page before using the tool.

Still stuck?

Contact Microsoft support if you continue to have problems with your Windows updates.

windows update stuck at restarting

I am running on windows 10 2004 (which I upgraded from 1909 to 2004 Sunday 29/09/2020 night)

Today when I go to settings page and checked for update the «October 1, 2020-KB4576945 Cumulative Update Preview for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 for Windows 10, version 2004 and Windows Server, version 2004» was download and installed.

When it asked me to restart my laptop, I pressed «Restart now». Then the screen stuck at Restarting with the dots circling in the screen for about 10-15 minutes. Then I force shutdown my laptop and rebooted and again the same Restarting. screen appears.

Again I force shutdown and Restart my laptop. Now it shows «Working on updates» and installed the update and went into my homescreen. Because of this problem, I run the troubleshooter for windows update and it shows that «check for windows update issues — Detected» as shown in the attached image.

And I thought it would be because of an optional update pending and hence I installed the optional update «October 1, 2020—KB4577063 (OS Build 19041.546) Preview» and the same problem of restarting screen persists and i again rebooted it as i have done before (force shutdown and reboot) and i again run the troubleshooter and i get the same results only.

Then i uninstalled both the updates «KB4576945 and KB4577063» and i run the troubleshooter again and still the problem of «check for windows update issues- Detected» continues.

Again the system automatically installs the KB4576945 and asked me reboot the laptop and when i press reboot now this time, the same problem continues again. The troubleshooter too shows the same problem this time.

Anyone kindly help me to resolve this issue.

Windows 10 — Update Stuck in Restarting mode

I have a Dell Inspirion all in one desktop computer (2014) and upgraded to Windows 10 several months ago. Periodically, upgrades are installed without a problem.

Today, however, after installing a Windows update (including the install progress screens), it is stuck on the Restarting page. It has been there for over 90 minutes.

How do I fix this? Ctl-Alt-Del is not available at this point (I’ve tried), and I don’t want to unplug or force a shutdown if I can avoid it.

Replies (4) 

If it doesn’t help, suggest you to perform startup repair using installation media.

Please follow the below steps to perform Start up repair for the computer.
a) Insert the Installation Disk into the disk drive of the computer. Press any key from the keyboard when prompted to.
b) Follow the instructions till the Install Now screen and then Click Repair your computer.
c) Click Advanced Options.
d) Click Troubleshoot.
e) Click Start up Repair.
f) Follow the on screen instructions.

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Thanks for the quick — and helpful — response. It worked!!

I did a hard reboot, but the problem persists. Windows did recognize that there was a problem with the latest update attempt and uninstalled it, but it again became stuck in «Restarting» mode.

I then did a second reboot and this time it worked.

One follow-up question:

The Windows 10 ISO is 4.3 GB in size, but the max storage on most CD’s is 900 MB.

Am I missing something? Should I simply use another format with more storage capacity (e.g. flashdrive)?

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Matter not resolved.

I know enough to do a hard re-start, but Windows 10 continues to fail to install the Windows update, specifically, Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems (KB3147458).

It has been over two weeks and Windows has not corrected this problem. The computer continues to cycle through attempting to install the update, then when unsuccessful, removing it.

Besides wasting time and resources, it also leaves me vulnerable without this update.

Help, Windows! Help, someone. Thanks!

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I am having this same issue with one of my computers (HP ProDesk).

After installing the updates the computer gets stuck at restarting (CTRL+ALT+DEL) does nothing. After leaving it over 4 hours it is still stuck at restarting and I have to reboot it. Then update says it has failed and the computer attempts to remove it. After many reboots I can log back into the PC (at this point it will work for short periods of time and spontaneously restart). After enough restarts it will work fine. until it attempts to install the update again!

I basically have no use of the computer for half a day when this happens.

Some actual help with this would be appreciated.

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