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 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

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 10 Update KB5001330 failed? Here are 5 fixes you can try

If you are unable to install the Windows 10 Update on your system then this post may help you

Windows 10 KB5001330, the latest Patch Tuesday update fails to install on PCs running October 2020 update? You are not alone, a number of windows 10 users reported on Microsoft’s community forum that they’re currently unable to install this patch and seeing error codes such as 0x80073701 and 0x8009001d.

Updates Failed, There were problems installing some updates, but we’ll try again later” or “Error 0x80073701″ on the Windows Update dialog or within Update history,”

If you’ve been encountering issues during the installation of the Windows 10 cumulative updates, “Windows installation has failed” or stuck installing here we have prepared a list of possible solutions that can help fix the problem.

Windows 10 updates won’t install

Let’s start with basic, check and make sure you have a working internet connection to download windows update files from the Microsoft server.

Tip: You can run ping command ping google.com -t to check your internet connectivity.

Sometimes windows update may fail or the system cant applies the latest updates due to the interference of third-party antivirus software. Let’s temporarily disable your antivirus and also disconnect from VPN (if configured on your system) and check if the problem persists.

Once restart your PC/Windows 10 and check for windows updates again, that probably fixes the problem if a temporary glitch causing the issue.

Windows update troubleshooter

Windows 10 comes with a handy Windows Update Troubleshooter that can help automatically troubleshoot and fix issues with your Windows Update. Run the windows update troubleshooter, and let windows detect and fix the problems prevent windows update install.

• Press Windows key + I to open Settings,
• Click on update and security then Troubleshoot,
• Click the link “Additional troubleshooters”
• Select Windows update, then click Run the troubleshooter.

This will start to diagnose, check the problem that prevents windows update install. Also, the troubleshooter lets you know whether it could identify and fix the problem. Once done, restart your PC and check again for windows update.

Reset windows update components

Again sometimes Windows 10 Update may fail to install or stuck download on your PC because its components are corrupted. These windows update components include the services and temporary files and folders associated with Windows Update. And most of the time reset windows update components resolve the number of issues/errors with windows update.

To do this first we need to stop the windows update service:

• Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and click ok,
• Scroll down and locate windows update service, right-click on it select stop.

Let’s clear temporary files and folders associated with Windows Update.

• Open file explorer using windows key + E,
• Navigate C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
• Delete all files and folders inside the download folder, to do this use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A to select all the hit the delete key.

Note: Don’t worry about these files, windows update download fresh ones when next time check for updates.

Now again open the windows service console using services.msc and start the windows update service.

Run DISM command

It’s also possible that your Windows Update can’t work because of the corrupted files on your operating system. here the trick may help you fix the problem.

• Open the command prompt as administrator,
• Type command dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup and press enterkey,
• Wait a few minutes and let the scanning process complete and restart windows.
• Now check for updates again.

Switch Google DNS

If windows update fails with different error codes switching public DNS or Google DNS probably helps fix the problem.

• Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl and click ok,
• Right-click on active network adapter select properties,
• Select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) then click properties,
• Here select the radio button “use the following DNS server addresses” and set preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8 and Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
• Checkmark on Validate Settings upon exit, click ok and apply
• Now again check for updates.

Manually install windows update

Still, Windows Update can’t help you download certain system updates? Try doing so on your own. Microsoft has put all its system updates online, and you can download these updates and install them on your computer without the help of Windows Update.

• On a web browser visit Microsoft Update Catalog.
• Search for the update using its Knowledge Base reference number (KB number). For example, KB5001330.
• Click the Download button for the version of Windows 10 you are using.
• You can find your system configuration under ‘System type’ on Settings > System > About page.
• A pop-up window will appear after the download button is triggered.
• Click on the .msu file to download it.

Finally double-click a .msu file to manually install the update manually and a system reboot is required to finish the installation.

If you are having problem upgrade windows 10 version 20H2 or the windows 10 feature update fails to install then you can perform an in-place upgrade to Windows 10 version 20H2 with Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant tool.