When Windows updates are not working, there are pretty simple procedures, which in most cases can quickly solve the problem. However, if you don’t know the cause of the problem, most of the time you will have to go by trial and error, performing different procedures until you manage to solve the problem.
1. Restart your computer
It happens quite frequently that Windows Update downloads the update, and while waiting for the system to restart, the feature crashes. Therefore, as a first procedure, I recommend restarting your computer.
Restarting the computer clears all temporary memory and removes blocked processes, in most cases managing to resolve any minor problems.
2. Check your internet connection
For Windows Update to work correctly, your PC must be connected to the Internet. If, for any reason, your Internet connection is interrupted while the update is downloading, the update may become corrupted.
Make sure you have a stable internet connection and try the update again.
3. Remove external storage devices
In some cases, external storage devices connected to PCs, such as USB sticks or external hard drives, can cause problems during the update process. Therefore, I suggest you remove all devices (such as eject stick from Mac) and try to update again.
If Windows Update still does not work after disconnecting all the devices, carry out the procedures in the following chapters without connecting the devices to the PC again.
4. Check available storage space
You must have enough free space on your hard drive to download and install updates. If there is insufficient space to download or install the update, Windows Update may crash and display an error message.
So I suggest you check the available space on your main drive. To do this, open “File Explorer”, from the left side menu, select the item “This PC,” and check the bar under the item “Local Disk (C:)”.
If the disk is full, you may free up some space by deleting unimportant files or documents or by trying to uninstall apps and programs you no longer use.
You could also try to clean the disk and delete temporary files (on Windows 10 and Windows 11), to do this, the procedure is as follows:
On Windows 10:
- April “Settings” of Windows by pressing from the keyboard WIN + I or click on the Start button and then click on the gear icon;
- Click on the item “System”;
- Select the item from the side menu “Storage”;
- Click on the entry “Temporary files”;
- Check the items: “Cleaning Windows Update”, “System Error Memory Dump File”, “Basket”, “Preview”, “Microsoft Defender Antivirus”, “Temporary Internet Files”, “Temporary files” And “Windows Error Reports and Feedback Diagnosis”;
- Click the button “Remove Files”.
On Windows 11:
- April “Settings” of Windows by pressing from the keyboard WIN + I or right-click on the Start button and then click on the entry “Settings”;
- From the left side menu, select the item “System”;
- Click on the entry “Storage”;
- Click on the item “Temporary files”;
- Check the items: “Cleaning Windows Update,” “Preview,” “Windows update log file,” “Microsoft Defender Antivirus,” “Delivery Optimization File,” “File temporary,” “Basket,” “DirectX Shader Cache,” “Windows Error Reports and Feedback Diagnostics,” “Temporary Internet Files”;
- Click on the button “Remove Files”.
5) Edit DNS
Is Windows Update still not working? Try to change DNS. Sometimes, the DNS you’re using blocks Windows Update from downloading the update. Therefore, I suggest you use the DNS of your Internet provider or those offered by Google. To change DNS:
On Windows 10:
- Log in to “Settings” of Windows by pressing from the keyboard WIN + I (alternatively, click on the Start button and then click on the gear icon);
- Click on the entry “Network and the Internet”;
- Click on the entry “Change tab options”;
- In the window that opens, locate the network device you are using (Ethernet or Wi-Fi), then right-click on it, and from the context menu, click on the “Properties” item;
- Select the item “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TPC/IPv4)”;
- Click the button “Property”;
- Select option “Use the following DNS server addresses”;
- In the field next to the item “Preferred DNS Server,” type “8.8.8.8,” and in the field next to the item “Alternate DNS Server,” type “8.8.4.4”.
- Click on the button “OK”.
On Windows 11:
- Press from keyboard WIN + I to access the “Settings” Windows or right-click on the Start button and then click on the item “Settings”;
- From the left side menu, select the item “Network and the Internet”;
- Click on the entry “Ethernet” or “Wifi” (the voice changes according to the type of network device you are using);
- Click the button “Edit” present in the section “DNS Server Assignment”;
- In the field next to the item “Preferred DNS Server,” type “8.8.8.8,” and in the field next to the item “Alternate DNS Server,” type “8.8.4.4”.
- Click the button “Save”.
6) Restart Windows Update and clear the cache
If the steps above have not resolved the issue, try to restart Windows Update manually. To do this, the procedure to be followed is as follows:
- Type in Windows search “cmd” then click the entry “Run as administrator”;
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command “NET STOP WUAUSERV” (without quotes);
- Awards ENTER;
- Wait for the message that Windows Update has finished to appear, then type the following command on the prompt “NET START WUAUSERV” and press ENTER.
At this point, try to update. If Windows Update doesn’t work, follow the steps shown below to delete the Windows update cache:
- Open Command Prompt again as administrator;
- Type on the prompt “NET STOP WUAUSERV” and press ENTER;
- You open “File Explorer”;
- From the left side menu, select the item “This PC”;
- Open the “Local Disk (C:)”;
- Open the folder “Windows”;
- Locate and open the folder “Software Distribution”;
- Open the “Downloads” folder, then select all the files and folders inside it and move them to the Trash;
- Empty the trash;
- Type in the prompt window “NET START WUAUSERV” and press ENTER.
7) Use the Troubleshooter
If you have carried out all the procedures seen in the previous chapters and Windows Update still does not work, I suggest you use the Windows Troubleshooter, Here’s how to do it:
On Windows 10:
- Awards WIN + I to access the “Settings” windows;
- Click on the entry “Update and Security”;
- From the left side menu, select the item “Troubleshooting”;
- Click on the item “Additional troubleshooting tools”;
- Click on the entry “Windows Update”;
- Click on the button “Run the troubleshooter”.
On Windows 11:
- April “Settings” of Windows by pressing from the keyboard WIN + I;
- From the left side menu, select the item “System”;
- Click on the entry “Troubleshooting”;
- Click on the item “Other troubleshooters”;
- Click on the ” Run ” button next to the item “Windows Update”.
Conclusions
Self Windows Update still doesn’t work. Your PC may be infected with a virus or malware. So I suggest you run a scan with your antivirus and a good anti-malware.
If there is no virus or malware, the problem could be caused by damaged system files; in this case, I recommend running an SFC scan. Read the guide on repairing damaged system files if you don’t know how.
If this last procedure does not lead to the desired result, try to restore the system. Here are the procedure’s guides: How to reset Windows 10 and 11.
System restore should fix the problem in most cases. However, if not, the only solution is to format the disk and reinstall the operating system. Remember to make a first system backup.
If you don’t know how to reinstall the operating system, I suggest you read the following guides: How to install Windows 10 and 11.
What is it for Windows Update?
Windows Update is an indispensable tool on Windows, as it allows you to always keep the system up to date, and we know very well how important it is to have the operating system always up to date.
The updates released by Microsoft, in addition to adding new features, very often fix bugs and improve general security. It is, therefore, essential that Windows Update always works correctly.
