Fix Windows Update errors

What does this guided walk-through do?

This guided walk-through provides steps to fix problems with Windows Updates for Windows 8.1 and 7, such as taking a long time to scan, or error codes while installing updates.

For help with Windows Update issues in Windows 10, see Troubleshoot problems updating Windows 10 instead.

A common cause of errors is inadequate drive space. If you need help freeing up drive space, see Tips to free up drive space on your PC.

Common error codes

The steps in this guided walk-through should help with all Windows Update errors and other issues— you don’t need to search for the specific error to solve it. As an example, here are some commonly seen error codes: 0x0xc1900223223; 0x80240034; 0x8007000E, 0x80242006​, 0x80244018​, 0x80D02002​, 0x80246017​, 0x80240438​, 0x80070070​, 0x8007000D​, 0x80246008​, 0x80096004​, 0x80070020.
The steps provided here should help fix any errors that come up during the Windows Update process.

How does it work?

We’ll begin by asking you questions about the Windows version you’re using and the issue you’re experiencing. Next, we’ll take you through a series of troubleshooting steps that are specific to your situation. At the end of each step, you’ll be asked “Did this resolve the issue?” If it’s resolved, select Yes, and you’re done! If it isn’t resolved, select No and continue with the guided walk-through.

Windows Update fails to install or will not download in Windows 10

Sometimes, some Windows Update fails to download, or just refuse to get installed on your computer even when you try a couple of times. If you face this problem where Windows Updates will not install or download, then this tutorial will help you identify and troubleshoot the problem.

Windows Update failed to install

If Windows Update fails to install, is not working, updates will not download or keep failing, on your Windows 10/8/7 then these suggestions will help you troubleshoot & fix Windows Updates.

1. Try again
2. Delete Temporary Files and Browser Cache
3. Disable your Firewall and Anti-virus software
4. Run SFC and DISM
5. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
6. Manually Reset Windows Update Components to default
7. Use FixWU
8. Flush the SoftwareDistribution Folder
9. Reset the Catroot folder
10. Check Windows Update Services status
11. Check Windows Update log file
12. Clear pending.xml file
13. Clear the BITS queue
14. Delete incorrect Registry values
15. Run Windows Module Installer
16. Run Background Intelligent Transfer Service Troubleshooter
17. Download its stand-alone installer
18. Run Windows Update in Clean Boot State
19. Take the help of Microsoft Virtual Agent
20. Contact Microsoft Support.

Let us see all these potential fixes in detail. Do create a system restore point first. Go through the entire post and then see which of these may apply to your system. You may then try any of these, in no particular order.

1] Try again

As mentioned earlier, many times, an update may fail to install in the first instance, but for some inexplicable reason, succeeds in the 2nd or 3rd try. So try a couple of times.

2] Delete Temporary Files and Browser Cache

If you are unable to install Windows Updates, first clear up your Temporary Files and Browser Cache, reboot, and try again. See if this helps resolve the issue. Best and easy to use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility or CCleaner.

3] Disable your Firewall and Anti-virus software

Temporarily Disable your Firewall and Anti-virus software and try again. Here is a list of Windows files and folders you may exclude from Antivirus scans.

4] Run SFC and DISM

Run System File Checker to replace potentially corrupted system files.

You can also fix corrupted Windows Update system files using DISM Tool. The Dism.exe tool can be used in different situations, and one of them is to repair a corrupted Windows Update files. Do note that you need to run a different command if you want to repair corrupted Windows Update System Files. If you run the usual /RestoreHealth command, it may not necessarily help.

DISM will replace potentially corrupted or missing system files with good ones. However, if your Windows Update client is already broken, you will be prompted to use a running Windows installation as the repair source or use a Windows side-by-side folder from a network share, as the source of the files.

You will then be required to run the following command instead:

Here you have to replace the C:\RepairSource\Windows placeholder with the location of your repair source.

Once the process is complete, DISM will create a log file in %windir%/Logs/CBS/CBS.log and capture any issues that the tool finds or fixes.

These can help fix problems that might prevent Windows Updates from installing.

5] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter from Microsoft. It resets Windows Updates settings to defaults. You may also run the Online Windows Troubleshooter from Microsoft.

6] Manually Reset Windows Update Components to default

7] Use FixWU

Use our Fix WU tool and see if it helps. It re-registers all the dll , ocx , and ax files required for the proper functioning of Windows Updates.

8] Flush the Software Distribution Folder

Flush the SoftwareDistribution Folder. Run Command Prompt as administrator. In the CMD box that appears on the computer screen, enter the following strings of text, one at a time, and hit Enter.

Now browse to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder and delete all the files and folders inside.

If the files are in use, restart your device. After rebooting, run the commands above again. Your Windows Store App needs to be closed, by the way, so do not start it.

Now you will be able to delete the files from the mentioned Software Distribution folder. Now in the Command Prompt windows, type the following commands one at a time, and hit Enter:

Reboot. If you are using Windows Update, try using Microsoft Updates or vice versa.

9] Reset the Catroot folder

Reset the Catroot folder and see. To reset the catroot2 folder do this:

Open an elevated Command Prompt, type the following command one after the other and hit Enter:

Next, delete all the contents of the catroot2 folder.

Having done this, in the CMD windows, type the following and hit Enter:

Your catroot folder will be reset, once you start Windows Update again.

10] Check Windows Update Services status

The default configuration on a standalone Windows 10 PC is as follows:

• Windows Update Service – Manual (Triggered)
• Windows Update Medic Services – Manual
• Cryptographic Services – Automatic
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service – Manual
• DCOM Server Process Launcher – Automatic
• RPC Endpoint Mapper – Automatic
• Windows Installer – Manual.

This will ensure that the required Services are available.

Apart from the direct service, you should find the dependencies of Windows Update service and ensure if they are running or not.

To get started, search for “services” in the Taskbar search box and click on the search result. After opening the Services window, find out Windows Update, DCOM Server Process Launcher, and RPC Endpoint Mapper. Check if they are running or not.

If not, you need to start those services one after one.

11] Check Windows Update log file

If still, you have a problem then, go to C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log and look for the most recent entry. This will be present towards the end of the log. Any failed updates will have error code/s written next to them. Note them down. If you find just too many entries too confusing delete this WindowsUpdate.log and try installing the problematic updates again.

Now open the newly re-created WindowsUpdate log file and have a look at its contents.

The warnings will probably appear as -: WARNING: Failed to find updates with error code XXXXXXXX.

Now Right-click Computer > Manage > Event Viewer > Applications and Service Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdateClient > Operational . Check out for any Critical Message or Warning.

Next, refer to the Windows Update Error Codes. This will give you the direction in which you may have to look for the solution. You may also search for the Windows Update error code here and see if a specific solution is available.

12] Clear pending.xml file

Open an elevated command prompt windows, type the following and hit Enter:

This will rename pending.xml file to pending.old. Now try again.

13] Clear the BITS queue

Clear the BITS queue of any current jobs. To do this, type the following in an elevated CMD and hit Enter:

14] Delete incorrect Registry values

Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following key:

Right-click COMPONENTS. Now in the right-pane, delete the following if they exist:

• PendingXmlIdentifier
• NextQueueEntryIndex
• AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

Restart your computer and try again.

15] Run Windows Module Installer

The Windows Module Installer is a built-in Windows 10 service. It lets you fix the Windows updates which are stuck.

To use this, open a command prompt with admin privileges.

Type the following and hit Enter:

Once successfully executed, you should see [SC] ChangeServiceConfig SUCCESS display within the Command Prompt console.

Exit the command prompt, and check if the buttons are back to normal.

16] Run Background Intelligent Transfer Service Troubleshooter

Run the Background Intelligent Transfer Service Troubleshooter and see if it helps. Background Intelligent Transfer Service or BITS helps in the transfer, download or upload of files between a client and server, and provides progress information related to the transfers. It also plays a role in the download of files from a peer. This Windows Service is essential for Windows Updates to work properly.

17] Download its stand-alone installer

Search on the Microsoft Update Catalog website for the Windows Update patch using the Update KB number, and download its stand-alone installer. Now apply the patch manually. Search for just the number; don’t include KB.

18] Run Windows Update in Clean Boot State

Boot in Clean Boot State and run Windows Update and see if this helps. It works in most cases.

19] Take the help of Microsoft Virtual Agent

If you’re getting an error downloading or installing Windows Updates, you could also take the help of Microsoft Virtual Agent, by clicking here.

20] Contact Microsoft Support

If nothing helps, you can always contact Microsoft Support. They will surely be able to help you.

We hope something here has helped you fix your Windows Updates issues.

Windows Update fails to download updates everytime

I get error message: Some updates failed to download (Never specifies error number) I tried downloading manually, one at a time with the same result.

I tried Microsoft Fix It with the same results. Previously, I was able to restore some of the Services missing, and downloaded about 20 updates before, but now I cannot download any updates at all. Any ideas?

First of all disable or remove any security software and then perform the below steps:

• Press Windows key (key with flag symbol) + r . A «run» window will popup, in it type «services.msc». Another window will popup. In that window look for these three services.

1. Background Intelligent Transfer Service
2. Cryptography
3. Windows update
Make sure all these services are running. If not double click on service and in «Startup type» select «Automatic (delayed Start).» And under service status select «Start».
Then check for windows updates.

• http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?s3r0g6td03k6i0e

1. Click on Save, and save the .bat file to your Desktop.
2. Right click on the downloaded .bat file, and click on Run as administrator.
3. If prompted by UAC click on Run, then Yes (if administrator) or type in administrator’s password (if standard user).
4. You will now see a elevated command prompt open and run. When it’s finished, it will close automatically.
—>Restart your PC and then run the below tool

• System Update Readiness Tool

Download it from—>http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-is-the-System-Update-Readiness-Tool
It usually takes a lot of time for this tool to finish processing. So please be patience.

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Windows 7 Update Failed [SOLVED]

Last Updated: 1 month ago

Try these fixes:

Fix 1: Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Click Troubleshooting in the search results.

C lick Fix problems with Windows Update .

Click Next.

Wait for the detect process to be complete.

If you see any errors or problems, follow the on-screen instructions of the troubleshooter to fix them.

If the troubleshooter fixed your Windows Update problem, great! But if not, there are still two more fixes for you to try…

Fix 2: Reset Windows Update components

At Command Prompt, type the following lines of command and press Enter on your keyboard after typing each:

Fix 3: Install the updates for your system manually

On Windows Update, click View update history.

Note down the code of the updates that failed to install.

Go to Microsoft Update Catalog. Then search for the update that failed to install.

In the search results, find the update that matches your system type (x86-,x64- or ARM64-based). Then click Download next to that update.

Click the link on the new window to download the update.

Open the file you’ve just downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.

Hopefully, one of the fixes above worked for you. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave us a comment below.

• Windows 7