We are all well aware of the frustration of a failed update. But unfortunately this problem persists with many software products and Windows is no exception.
Do you find yourself in a situation where you try again and again to download the latest Windows update but fail despite your best efforts?
If you’re experiencing this problem, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading this article to know exactly how to get this latest update if Windows Update keeps failing.
How to get the latest Windows updates?
We have listed all possible solutions for you to get Windows Update on your Windows 11/10/8/7 systems. Troubleshoot your system by following the methods listed below and get rid of any installation errors you may encounter while trying to download new Windows updates.
- Keep trying until you succeed
- Delete temporary files and delete web browser cache
- Deactivate all running antiviruses and firewalls
- Running the SFC and DISM tools
- Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
- Change the Windows Update component to the default setting
- Use FixWU
- Reset the SoftwareDistribution folder on your system
- Try resetting the Catroot folder
- View status through Windows Update Services
- Check the Windows update log file
- Rename the pending.xml file
- Clear the BITS Queue
- Clear all erroneous values in the Registry Editor
- Run the Windows Module Installer
- Run the Background Intelligent Transfer Service Troubleshooter
- Download the offline installer
- Use trusted proxy servers
- Perform a clean boot on your system. Run Windows Update.
- Get help from Microsoft Virtual Agent
- Make sure important URLs aren’t blocked
- Contact Microsoft Support
Let’s now take a closer look at these solutions to give you a better understanding of how to solve this problem. Be sure to set up a system restore point on your system first.
You are now ready to try any of the methods listed below and choose the one that works best. Keep reading!
Fixing Windows Update Related Errors Fails
1. Keep trying until you succeed
We all know the quote: “If you fail at first. Try, try, try again.”This philosophy works well, especially when you’re trying to install updates.
In most cases, if you keep trying to install an update despite the first few attempts failing, you will succeed at some point. Just don’t give up and keep going.
2. Delete temporary files and clear your web browser cache.
If you are still not getting the update, you can try deleting all temporary files on your system. You can also try deleting your web browser’s cache.
After doing this, be sure to reboot your system. You can take the help of tools like Disk Cleanup or CCleaner to make your job easier.
3. Deactivate all running antiviruses and firewalls.
Another method you can try is to deactivate any running antivirus on your system. Make sure you also disable any firewalls as they may prevent your updates from being downloaded.
4. Run the SFC and DISM tools
SFC stands for System File Checker. This will help you get rid of corrupted system files. Corrupted system files can prevent any upcoming updates from loading properly.
Another tool in our arsenal to help get rid of malicious system files is DISM. Although the Dism.exe tool has many applications, it is very handy to help us identify and remove any corrupted Windows update files.
Keep in mind that you will have to run a different command if your goal is to repair any corrupted Windows Update files. The standard /RestoreHealth command will not help here.
DISM has the task of replacing any corrupted or missing system files with the correct ones. If your Windows Update client is unusable, you will be prompted to use a working Windows installation as a recovery source.
Run the following DISM command:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:\RepairSource\Windows /LimitAccess
Now you need to replace the placeholder C:\RepairSource\Windows with the location of your repair source.
After completing the above step, DISM will create a log file. Any problems found will be taken care of %windir%/Logs/CBS/CBS.log.by the tool itself.
This is another solution that will help you install Windows updates on your system.
5. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter provided by Microsoft. This will automatically reset your Windows Update settings to their default settings. Another option is to run Microsoft’s online Windows Troubleshooter.
6. Change the Windows Update component to the default setting.
Use the Windows Update Agent reset tool (Microsoft tool). You can also use the Reset Windows Update Tool (3rd party tool).
This PowerShell script will allow you to reset the Windows Update client. I hope these tools are helpful in helping you install updates on your system.
7. Use FixWU
You can also use our FixWU tool to help you with this issue. It performs the function of re-registration of all system files dll, ocx and ax. This is a very important step to ensure that Windows updates install smoothly.
8. Reset the SoftwareDistribution folder on your system
You can also try resetting the SoftwareDistribution folder on your system. To do this, you need to run the command prompt as an administrator.
A CMD prompt window will appear on your monitor. Now you must enter the given lines of text one by one and press Enter:
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
Now go to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder and delete all files and folders.
If some files are in progress, you need to restart your device. Once the boot procedure is complete, run these commands again. Make sure your Windows Store app is closed.
You can now delete files from the software distribution folder. Run the commands below in the command prompt box, make sure you type them one after the other, and press Enter:
net start wuauserv
net start bits
Now reboot your system and try installing Windows Updates.
9. Try resetting the Catroot folder
Follow these steps to reset the cataroot2 folder:
- Open a command prompt window on your system, type the following command and press Enter:
-
net stop cryptsvcmd %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.oldxcopy %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old /s - Now you should delete all files and folders in the catroot2 folder.
- Now open a command prompt window again on your system. Type the following command and press Enter:
-
net start cryptsvc - Restart Windows Update again to reset the catroot2 folder.
10. Check the status through Windows Update Services.
To do this, you need to open the Windows Services Manager and make sure that the services related to Windows Updates, such as Windows Update, Windows Medic Update, Orchestrator Update Services, etc., are enabled.
The standard configuration of a Windows 11/10 PC is shown below:
- Windows Update Service – Manual (starts)
- Windows Update Medical Services – Guide
- Cryptographic services – automatically
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service – Manual
- Starting the DCOM Server Process – Automatic
- RPC Endpoint Mapper – Automatic
- Windows Installer – Manual.
This ensures that the required Services are available.
You also need to make sure that Windows Update service dependencies work alongside direct services.
First, you need to search for “services”in the search box on the taskbar. Click on the displayed search result. When the Services window appears on the screen, look for Windows Update, DCOM Server Process Launcher, and RPC Endpoint Mapper.
Make sure they are running. If they are not running, you need to start each one manually.
11. Check the Windows update log file.
If the problem persists, go to C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log and look for the most recent entry. This will be the last entry in the log. If any update fails, an error code will be written next to it.
Please write them down. If you have a lot of entries and they are confusing to you, delete this WindowsUpdate.log and try installing the updates that are causing the problem again.
You can now open the newly created Windows Update log file and view its contents.
You must now follow these steps: Right-click Computer > Management > Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdateClient > Operational. Watch out for any critical message or warning.
Now take a look at the Windows Update error codes. This will give you an idea of how to proceed in order to find a solution that works. You can also try looking for the Windows Update error code and see if a solution is found.
12. Rename pending.xml file
For this method, you need to open a command prompt window and enter the following. Press Enter:
Ren c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml pending.old
The pending.xml file will now be renamed to pending. Old. Now try installing Windows Updates again.
13. Clear the BITS Queue
Clear the BITS queue of all jobs in it. To do this, type the following at the CMD prompt and press Enter:
bitsadmin.exe /reset /allusers
14. Remove all erroneous values in the registry editor.
Go to Registry Editor and navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMPONENTS
Click COMPONENTS. Now find the following in the right panel. If they are, then remove them:
- PendingXmlIdentifier
- NextQueueEntryIndex
- AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving
Now restart your computer and try installing Windows Updates again.
15. Run the Windows Module Installer
Windows Modules Installer is a built-in service of Windows 10 systems. It will help you when you run into issues with Windows updates.
To use this, you must open a command prompt as an administrator.
Enter the following:
SC config trustedinstaller start=auto
After you run the above command, the console will display [SC] ChangeServiceConfig SUCCESS message.
Close the cmd prompt and make sure the buttons are back to normal.
16. Run the Background Intelligent Transfer Service Troubleshooter.
Run the Background Intelligent Transfer Service Troubleshooter. The Background Intelligent Transfer Service, also known as BITS, assists in transferring, downloading, or uploading files between a client and a server.
It also displays all progress information related to transfers. It also helps us to download files from another system. This Windows service plays an important role in making sure Windows updates work properly.
17. Download the offline installer
So, to fix Windows Update on the Microsoft Update Catalog website, use the Update Knowledge Base number. Once you find it, download the offline installer.
The next step is to apply the patch manually. Look for the number individually, not including the KB.
18. Use Trusted Proxy Servers
You can also use authenticated and verified proxies to fix any issues you encounter with Windows updates and any issues installing Microsoft Store apps.
19. Perform a clean boot on your system. Run Windows Update.
You should now boot your system into a clean boot state. Once this is done, you need to run Windows Update. This solution has worked well for many users.
20. Take the help of Microsoft Virtual Agent
If the problem persists after you have tried all the methods mentioned above, you can take the help of Microsoft Virtual Agent.
21. Make Sure Important URLs Are Not Blocked
Please make sure the following URLs are not blocked as they are important for the smooth installation of Windows Updates:
- http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
- http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
- https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
- http://*.update.microsoft.com
- https://*.update.microsoft.com
- http://*.windowsupdate.com
- http://download.windowsupdate.com
- https://download.microsoft.com
- http://*.download.windowsupdate.com
- http://wustat.windows.com
- http://ntservicepack.microsoft.com
- http://go.microsoft.com
- http://dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com
- https://dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com
- https://stats.microsoft.com
22. Contact Microsoft Support
If none of the solutions above worked for you, it’s best to leave the problem in the hands of Microsoft Support. You can always count on their help.
Conclusion:
This article covers most of the available solutions to install Windows updates again on your Windows systems. We hope that one of these methods was helpful to you and solved your problem.
If the problem persists, contact an experienced technician to help you.
FAQ:
How long does it take to install Windows updates?
In order to receive the latest updates as soon as possible, we must ensure that the following conditions are met. The speed at which updates can be installed on our system is directly proportional to the following factors: – Network connection speed – Network settings – Update size Make sure your system is getting a good internet signal to ensure that Windows updates download faster.
What if the update size is larger than the available disk space on my system?
If the update being installed exceeds the available disk space on your system, you will need to remove some unnecessary files. If you don’t want to delete these files, you can move them to a USB drive or OneDrive. Updates are important because they help keep your system secure, so installing them is essential.
Updates drain the battery a lot. How to avoid it?
Updates can sometimes be very heavy on your system and drain most of your battery life. One countermeasure you can take is to make sure your systems are online when not in active use. This way, even if you have an update installed on your system, it won’t drain your battery too much.
How can I view installed updates on my system?
You can view the updates installed on your system by looking at the update history log. It also displays the time each update was installed on your system. This list can also be used to uninstall any particular update, although it’s best not to do so as you could harm your system if you don’t know what you’re doing. Follow these steps to view your update history: Start > Settings > Windows Update > Update History.