What to Do When Windows Update Gets Stuck or Is Frozen

How to recover from a frozen Windows Update installation

Most of the time, Windows Update does its job with little if any attention from us.

While we might check and install updates manually from time to time, most Windows 10 computers are configured to apply important updates automatically, while older versions like Windows 7 and Windows 8 usually apply these fixes the night of Patch Tuesday.

Sometimes, however, when the patch, or maybe even service pack, is being installed during shutdown or startup, the update installation gets stuck—freezes, locks up, stops, hangs, clocks, whatever you want to call it. Windows Update is taking forever and it’s clear something needs to be done.

The installation of one or more Windows updates is probably stuck or frozen if you see one of the following messages persist for a long time:

• Preparing to configure Windows. / Do not turn off your computer.
• Configuring Windows updates / x% complete / Do not turn off your computer.
• Please do not power off or unplug your machine. / Installing update x of x.
• Working on updates / x% complete / Don’t turn off your computer
• Keep your PC on until this is done / Installing update x of x.
• Getting Windows ready / Don’t turn off your computer

You might also see Stage 1 of 1 or Stage 1 of 3, or a similar message prior to the second example. Sometimes Restarting is all you’ll see on the screen. There might also be some wording differences depending on which version of Windows you’re using.

If you don’t see anything at all on screen, especially if you think the updates might have been installed completely but could be the cause of whatever you’re experiencing, see our How to Fix Problems Caused by Windows Updates tutorial instead.

Cause of a Frozen or Stuck Windows Update

There are several reasons why the installation or finalization of one or more Windows updates can hang.

Most often, these types of problems are due to a software conflict or a preexisting issue that simply wasn’t brought to light until the Windows updates started installing. Much more rarely are they caused by a mistake on Microsoft’s part regarding the update itself, but it does happen.

Any of Microsoft’s operating systems could experience freezing issues during Windows updates including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and others.

There’s an actual issue with Windows that can cause Windows Update installations to freeze like this but it’s only applicable to Windows Vista and only if SP1 hasn’t yet been installed. If your computer fits that description, install Windows Vista SP1 or later to solve the problem.

Make Sure the Updates Are Actually Stuck

Some Windows updates can take several minutes or more to configure or install, so you want to make sure the updates are truly stuck before moving on. Trying to fix a problem that doesn’t really exist might just create a problem.

You can tell if Windows updates are stuck if nothing happens on screen for 3 hours or more. If there’s any wonder after that long, take a look at your hard drive activity light. You’ll see either no activity at all (stuck) or very regular but very short flashes of light (not stuck).

Chances are that the updates are hung before the 3-hour mark, but this is a reasonable amount of time to wait and longer than we’ve ever seen a Windows update take to successfully install.

How to Fix a Stuck Windows Update Installation

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del. In some situations, the Windows update might be hung at a very particular part of the installation process, and you could be presented with your Windows login screen after executing the Ctrl+Alt+Del keyboard command.

If so, log on as you normally would and let the updates continue to install successfully.

If your computer restarts after Ctrl+Alt+Del, read the second Note in Step 2 below. If nothing happens (most likely) then move on to Step 2.

Restart your computer using either the reset button or by powering it off and then back on with the power button. Windows will start normally and finish installing the updates.

If the Windows update installation is truly frozen, you have no other choice but to hard-reboot.

Depending on how Windows and BIOS/UEFI are configured, you might have to hold down the power button for several seconds before the computer will turn off. On a tablet or laptop, removing the battery may be necessary.

If you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 8, and you’re taken to the sign-in screen after the restart, try tapping or clicking the power icon on the bottom-right and choosing Update and Restart, if available.

If you’re automatically taken to the Advanced Boot Options or Startup Settings menu after restarting, choose Safe Mode and see the comments in Step 3 below.

Start Windows in Safe Mode. This special diagnostic mode of Windows only loads the minimum drivers and services that Windows absolutely needs, so if another program or service is conflicting with one of the Windows updates, the install might finish up just fine.

If the Windows updates do install successfully and you continue to Safe Mode, just restart from there to enter Windows normally.

Complete a System Restore to undo the changes made so far by the incomplete installation of the Windows updates.

Since you can’t access Windows normally, try doing this from Safe Mode. See the link in Step 3 if you’re not sure how to start in Safe Mode.

During the System Restore, be sure to choose the restore point created by Windows just prior to the update installation.

Assuming a restore point was made and System Restore is successful, your computer should be returned to the state it was in before the updates started. If this problem occurred after automatic updating, like what happens on Patch Tuesday, be sure to change Windows Update settings so this problem doesn’t reoccur on its own.

Try System Restore from Advanced Startup Options (Windows 10 & 8) or System Recovery Options (Windows 7 & Vista) if you’re not able to access Safe Mode or if the restore failed from Safe Mode.

Since these menus of tools are available from «outside» of Windows, you can try this even if Windows is completely unavailable.

System Restore is only available from outside of Windows if you’re using Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista. This option is not available in Windows XP.

Start your computer’s «automatic» repair process. While a System Restore is a more direct way of undoing changes, in this case of a Windows update, sometimes a more comprehensive repair process is in order.

• Windows 10 and Windows 8: Try a Startup Repair. If that doesn’t do the trick, try the Reset This PC process (the non-destructive option, of course).
• Windows 7 and Windows Vista: Try the Startup Repair process.
• Windows XP: Try the Repair Install process.

Test your computer’s memory. It’s possible that failing RAM could be causing the patch installations to freeze. Fortunately, memory is really easy to test.

Update BIOS. An outdated BIOS isn’t a common cause for this problem, but it’s possible.

If one or more of the updates Windows is trying to install is involved with how Windows works with your motherboard or other built-in hardware, a BIOS update could solve the issue.

Do a clean install of Windows. A clean install involves completely erasing the hard drive that Windows is installed on and then installing Windows again from scratch on that same hard drive. Obviously you don’t want to do this if you don’t have to, but it’s a very likely fix if the steps prior to this one were unsuccessful.

It might seem likely that reinstalling Windows, and then these same exact Windows updates, will cause the same problem, but that isn’t usually what happens. Since most lockup issues caused by updates by Microsoft are actually software conflicts, a clean install of Windows, followed promptly by the installation of all available updates, usually results in a perfectly working computer.

Still Having Stuck/Freezing Issues Related to Windows Update?

If updates are stuck installing on or just after Patch Tuesday (the second Tuesday of the month), see our Details on the Latest Patch Tuesday piece for more on these specific patches.

Windows 10 Update freezing issues

Replies (5) 

Hi C. I’m Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Guardian Moderator here to help you.

Here are steps to recover from failed Updates or Version Update install which causes Windows to fail to start or function:

1) Try whichever method works in this tutorial link to get into Advanced Startup Options to run System Restore if this is a Windows Update, or Go Back to Old Version if this is a version update: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc. .

Easiest is to restart or force shutdown the PC 3 times.

If you are able to access System Restore or Go Back and it fails, skip to step 3.

2) If necessary follow the steps in the middle of this download page to create bootable installation media to access the repair options if not accessible by any other method: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m. . The bootable media is also the only method that doesn’t require the password if you’re stuck on that.

Boot media by powering up the PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor.

You may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup to turn off Fast Boot if it won’t allow the Boot Menu key to interrupt starting Windows: https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis.

Choose UEFI version of media if offered, browse to second screen to Repair Your Computer link, then Advanced Troubleshoot options to run System Restore to a point before the problem began, or choose More Options to Go Back to Old Version if this was a version Update.

If it rolls back then you can hide the Windows Updates and Version Upgrade responsible until they mature by installing and running immediately the Hide Updates tool: https://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent.

3) If this fails try a Startup Repair, or go back to Troubleshoot Options on the previous screen to Reset your PC which will save your files while reinstalling Windows.

4) If that fails you can use the booted media created in Step 2 to Clean Install the latest version which should get you past all difficulties as it has hundreds of thousands of others who have followed the steps in this link and never come back to report another problem: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki. The link compiles the best possible install of Windows 10 that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given.

There is a step to rescue files from the same bootable media: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.

Make sure during the booted install to follow the illustrated steps to delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, then click Next to let it auto-create the needed partitions, format them and begin install — this makes it foolproof.

The media provided for the Clean Install is latest and normally the problems go away with the Clean Install, however if they don’t you can find earlier version media to use here: https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php
Burn to DVD or create bootable 8+gb flash stick installer using this tool installed to Windows: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/detail.

Then once you’re back in Windows 10, you can block the problem Windows or Version Update using one of these methods: https://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent.

Good news, Microsoft is changing Update policies soon as announced recently here: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/201.
Until then you can manage Updates with all possible options here:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/manage-windows-up.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it’s resolved.

______________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Windows MVP 2010-20

Over 100,000 helped in forums in 10 years
I do not quit for those who are polite and cooperative.
I will walk you through any steps and will not let you fail.

Windows 10 Randomly Hangs/Freezing

I seem to be having an issue with random hangs/freezing. as the title suggests. I for the life of me cant figure out what this problem is, if its a hardware issue / software issue / driver issue or anything else. The problem is that the computer will randomly freeze without any warning these freezes started somewhere around late November 2017, I assume with one of the Windows updates. The actual freezes also vary. sometimes they last only 10 seconds to a minute and I can still move my mouse but not interact with any programs, other times the computer completely freezes and I am forced to do a hard boot on my computer. This makes doing any sort of assignment for school or playing any sort of game an issue. As I said before the freezes are very random. I can sit down on my desktop for over 5 hours and not have a single freeze, other times the computer will freeze shortly after I start the computer.

An important side note is that the computer has never had a problem starting up or loading startup processes. The freezes also occur with any/all programs including Google Chrome and Gaming applications. really anything.

Processor: AMD FX(tm)-8320 Eight-Core Processor 3.50 GHz

System type: 64-bit Operating System

Storage: SanDisk 480GB SATA III (NTFS, also what the OS is loaded on) and Toshiba 1TB Hardrive

Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970

(I’m not sure what else to post that would be important please let me know if there is anything else that would be helpful to know)

In terms of solutions I have tried quite a few, I have already done a clean boot of Windows 10, also tried rolling back to Windows 7, however neither of these fixes seemed to solve my issue. I have also changed quite a few settings in my Power settings, as well as optimizing my Virtual Memory, I have also done a clean reboot of my Nvidia Graphics Card driver. There are many other «fixes» that google/youtube has suggested that I have tried, and I cannot remeber them all, however none of those have worked as well.

-Any advice/suggestions/help is greatly appreciated, and Thank you for taking the time to read all of this

Thank you for providing us details of the troubleshooting steps that have been already done on your computer. Since the initial troubleshooting that was provided seems doesn’t fix the issue, we also suggest following the steps below and check if it makes any difference:

Solution 1 – Run netsh winsock reset command

1. Press Windows Key + X and choose Command Prompt from the menu.
2. When Command Prompt starts, enter the following and press Enter to run it:

netsh winsock reset

3. Close Command Prompt and restart your computer.

Solution 2 – Remove problematic software

• Certain software can cause a random freeze on Windows 10. Users have reported that software such as Speccy, Acronis True Image, Privatefirewall, McAfee and Office Hub App can cause problems with Windows 10. If you have any of these programs installed on your computer, we advise that you remove them by following these steps:

1. Open Settings App and go to System.
2. Go to Apps & features section and delete the aforementioned apps.
3. After you’ve uninstalled these apps, restart your computer.

Solution3 – Disable F.lux

It seems that F.lux software has some compatibility issues with certain display drivers. Due to these issues, you might experience a random freeze on Windows 10. In order to fix this problem, it’s advised that you disable F.lux software on your computer. If you want to keep using this software, you can also try updating your display drivers to the newest version.

Solution 4 – Disconnect all USB devices

• USB devices such as external hard drive, printers, etc. can sometimes cause Windows 10 to freeze randomly. If you have any USB devices connected to your computer, you should disconnect them before you turn on your computer.

Solution 5 – Download latest chipsetdrivers

• To update your chipset drivers, you need to visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and download latest chipset drivers for your motherboard.

Solution 6 – Update network drivers

• You might want to visit your network adapter manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers.

Solution 7 – Update your BIOS

• To perform a BIOS update, you have to visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest version of BIOS.

You may also refer this documentation which provides advanced troubleshooting for Windows-based computer freeze issues:

Get back to us if the issue still persists.

Note: Microsoft has updated information in this reply, so that users facing this issue got benefited.