Windows updates play a crucial role in maintaining the security, stability, and functionality of your computer. Microsoft regularly releases Windows 11 updates with essential security patches, bug fixes, and compatibility enhancements that keep your system protected from cyber threats, improve performance, and ensure smooth operation. However, at times you may experience Windows Update fails to download or Windows Update may get stuck or frozen during the update process. One troubleshooting method that often proves effective in resolving such problems is Reset Windows 11 update cache. Here in this article explore the reason behind Windows update failure and how to reset the Windows Update components to related problems on your computer.
Why Windows update fail to download and install?
Usually, Windows update problem occurs when the update mechanism service stops working. It may be Windows 11 dealing with update cache issues, slow internet problems or there is corrupt system files on your computer prevent Windows updates apply. Again If your computer’s hard drive doesn’t have enough free space, Windows updates may fail to install.
To fix such problems on Windows 11, you need to free up system drive space, correct Date and time and regional settings, and Run the related troubleshooter. Resetting the Windows Update components is also very effective to fix the Windows update problem on Windows 11.
Ensure that you have a stable and reliable internet connection to download windows update files from microsoft server.
How to Reset Windows Update Components?
If you notice that Windows Update is stuck, repeatedly fails to download or install, or receive error messages when trying to run Windows Update, resetting the Windows update components can help restore the expected behavior and ensure accurate update information.
Reset Windows 11 update cache
To begin, we need to stop the Windows Update services to prevent any interference during the reset process.
- Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and click ok to open the Services window
- Scroll down to locate the Windows Update service, right-click on it select Stop from the context menu.
- Do the same for Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS),” and “Cryptographic Services.”
- Now press Windows key + E to open File Explorer and navigate C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. This folder has all the files related to Windows updates.
- Open the “Download” folder, Press Ctrl + A to select all the files and delete all of them.
Now Go back to the Services window, Right-click on each of the following services: “Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS),” “Windows Update,” and “Cryptographic Services.” Select Start from the context menu to restart the service.
That’s all now let’s check and install the latest updates from Settings -> Windows Update, and click download and install if new updates are available.
There is a various reason that causes Windows update fails to install, but the most common we found while troubleshooting on various systems “the corrupted Windows update Database ” Some other are Security software blocking, corrupted system files, Internet connection issue, Incorrect Time, Date and language and region settings, etc.
Reset Windows Update with Command Prompt
Also, you can use the command prompt to run various commands and reset Windows Update on Windows 11.
Pres windows key + S, type cmd and select run as administrator. Now run the following commands to stop Windows update and related services on your computer.
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop cryptSvc
- net stop bits
- net stop msiserver
Next, run the following command to Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders. Don’t worry about this folder, when you check for updates again windows recreates this folder and forces download the latest update files on your computer.
- ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old ren
- C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
Now again run the following commands to start the Windows update and required services.
- net start wuauserv
- net start cryptSvc
- net start bits
- net start msiserver
Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Next, to ensure all issues have been resolved, it is recommended to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. This built-in tool can automatically detect and fix common Windows Update problems on Windows 11.
- Press the Windows key + I to open the settings app
- Go to System the Troubleshoot and click on Other troubleshooters,
- Scroll down and click the Run button next to Windows Update
The troubleshooter will run and attempt to identify if any problems exist which prevent your computer from downloading and installing Windows Updates.
- This will start diagnosing Windows updates and related problems on your computer, you only need to Continue with the on-screen directions,
- Once troubleshooting completes, reboot your PC and try to update Windows 11 one more time.
In addition, Run the Network adapter troubleshooter to ensure there are no network-related issues that are preventing from you downloading the Windows updates.
Install Windows Update manually
This is another way to install Windows updates without any errors or problems. And no need to run the Windows update troubleshooter or Clear update cache. You can resolve the problem manually by installing the latest Windows 11 updates.
- Visit the Windows 11 update history webpage where you can notice the logs of all the previous Windows updates that have been released.
- For the most recently released update, note down the KB number.
- Now use Windows Update Catalog Website to search for the update specified by the KB number you noted down.
- Click the Download button for the latest Windows 11 update and click on the link to downlaod and save it to local drive.
- Open the downloaded file in order to install the update. Double-click the package to install it and follow the on-screen instructions.
That’s all after installing the updates simply restart the computer to apply the changes.
Repair Windows system files
Windows updates rely on a stable and intact system file structure to install the necessary files and make changes to the operating system. If for some reason, system files are corrupted or missing on your computer it may prevent Windows updates from being installed or functioning properly.
In such cases, running the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) helps fix Windows update problems by repairing system files and resolving component-related issues.
Running SFC and DISM can often resolve underlying system issues that may be causing Windows update problems.
- Press Windows key + S, type cmd and select run as administrator,
- First, run the system file checker command sfc /scannow this will scan your system for corrupted or damaged system files and attempt to repair them.
- Next, run the DISM restore health command DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth this will check for component store corruption and repair any issues it finds.
- After both tools have finished running, restart your computer and try to install Windows updates again.
In addition, Insufficient disk space can hinder the update process. Delete unnecessary files or move them to an external storage device to free up space on your computer.
Temporarily disable any third-party antivirus software you have installed and attempt to install the updates again.
Also If you are getting Windows update stuck while the upgrade process simply use the official media creation tool to upgrade to Windows 11 without any error or problem.
Also, Read
- Windows 10 installing the same update over and over? Here how to fix it
- Download Windows 11 ISO (Version 23H2) for free
- Windows 10 Update stuck downloading updates? Try these solutions
- Windows Update failed to install on Windows 10? Here are 5 fixes you can try
- What causes windows 11 PC/Laptop Slow after update