How to Fix Windows Update Errors: The Complete Guide

Few things are as frustrating as sitting down to work on your computer, only to be greeted by a stalled Windows Update, a cryptic error code, or a progress bar that seems permanently frozen at a specific percentage. Windows Update errors are incredibly common, affecting millions of PCs across Windows 10 and Windows 11, and they can happen for a wide range of reasons, from corrupted system files to conflicting third-party software, insufficient storage space, or simple connectivity issues.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the most effective methods for fixing Windows Update errors, starting with the simplest built-in troubleshooting tools and working through more advanced fixes like resetting update components, checking disk space, and dealing with specific common error codes. Whether you’re on Windows 10 or Windows 11, most of these steps apply across both versions, with any notable differences called out along the way.

Why Windows Update Errors Happen

Before diving into fixes, it helps to understand the common root causes, since this will help you identify which solution is most likely to resolve your specific situation.

Corrupted system files: Over time, small corruptions in Windows system files can interfere with the update process, causing it to fail partway through installation.

Insufficient storage space: Windows updates, especially major feature updates, can require several gigabytes of free space to download and install successfully.

Conflicting third-party software: Antivirus programs, VPN clients, or other background software can sometimes interfere with the update process, blocking necessary connections or files.

Corrupted Windows Update components: The specific services and cache files Windows Update relies on can occasionally become corrupted, requiring a manual reset.

Network connectivity issues: An unstable internet connection, restrictive firewall settings, or DNS problems can interrupt the download process partway through.

Driver conflicts: Outdated or incompatible drivers, particularly for critical hardware like storage controllers or network adapters, can sometimes cause an update to fail or roll back automatically.

Pending restarts or incomplete previous updates: If a previous update didn’t fully complete or a restart was postponed multiple times, this can create a backlog that interferes with subsequent updates.

Step 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

This is the fastest and most straightforward first step, since Microsoft built this tool specifically to automatically detect and fix common update issues.

On Windows 11:

1. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Find Windows Update in the list and click Run.
3. Follow any on-screen prompts, and restart your computer if recommended.

On Windows 10:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
2. Allow the tool to scan for and automatically fix any detected issues.

This built-in troubleshooter resolves a surprising number of common update errors automatically, including issues with corrupted update components and stuck downloads, making it worth trying before any more advanced steps.

Step 2: Check Your Available Storage Space

Windows updates, particularly major feature updates, require a substantial amount of free disk space to download and install temporary files during the process.

1. Open File Explorer and check the available space on your main drive (usually C:), visible directly under the drive name.
2. If you have less than 20GB free, especially for major feature updates, consider freeing up space using the Storage Sense feature.
3. Go to Settings > System > Storage and click Cleanup recommendations or Temporary files to remove unnecessary files like old downloads, temporary system files, and previous Windows installation backups.
4. Once you’ve freed up sufficient space, attempt the Windows Update again.

Step 3: Restart Windows Update-Related Services

Windows Update relies on several background services that can occasionally get stuck or fail to communicate properly. Restarting them manually often resolves stubborn update errors.

1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Do the same for Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) and Cryptographic Services, both of which play a role in the update download and verification process.
3. Close the Services window and attempt to run Windows Update again.

Step 4: Clear the Windows Update Cache

A corrupted update cache is one of the most common causes of persistent update errors, and clearing it forces Windows to redownload update files fresh.

1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Right-click Windows Update and select Stop.
3. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
4. Delete all the contents inside this folder (not the folder itself). You may need administrator permission to do this.
5. Go back to Services, right-click Windows Update, and select Start again.
6. Attempt to run Windows Update once more, which will now redownload all necessary update files from scratch.

Step 5: Run the System File Checker and DISM Tool

If corrupted system files are contributing to your update errors, these two built-in command-line tools can detect and repair many common issues.

1. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
2. Allow the scan to complete, which may take several minutes, and note whether it reports finding and repairing corrupted files.
3. Next, run the DISM tool by typing: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. This process can take 10–20 minutes depending on your internet connection and system speed, since it may download replacement files directly from Microsoft’s servers.
5. Once both tools complete, restart your computer and attempt the Windows Update again.

Step 6: Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus Software

While built-in Windows Defender rarely causes update conflicts, third-party antivirus and security software can occasionally interfere with the update process by blocking certain files or connections.

1. Open your antivirus software’s settings menu.
2. Look for an option to temporarily disable real-time protection or pause the software entirely, usually for a set period like 15 minutes or 1 hour.
3. Attempt to run Windows Update while your antivirus software is temporarily paused.
4. Re-enable your antivirus software immediately after the update completes or fails again, since running without protection for extended periods isn’t recommended.

If disabling your antivirus resolves the issue, check whether an update is available for your specific antivirus software, since many vendors regularly patch compatibility issues with Windows Update.

Step 7: Check Your Network Connection and DNS Settings

Since Windows Update downloads files directly from Microsoft’s servers, connectivity issues can interrupt the process partway through, leading to error codes related to failed downloads.

1. Confirm your internet connection is stable by testing other websites or services.
2. If you’re on Wi-Fi, try switching to a wired Ethernet connection temporarily to rule out wireless interference.
3. Consider changing your DNS server settings to a public option like Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), which can sometimes resolve connectivity issues caused by your default ISP-provided DNS server.
4. Restart your router if you continue to experience connectivity interruptions during the update process.

Step 8: Use the Media Creation Tool for a Manual Update

If Windows Update continues to fail through the standard built-in process, Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool allows you to manually download and install the latest version of Windows directly, bypassing the standard update mechanism entirely.

1. Visit Microsoft’s official website and download the Media Creation Tool for your version of Windows.
2. Run the tool and select Upgrade this PC now when prompted.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions, choosing to keep your personal files and apps when prompted, to perform an in-place upgrade that reinstalls Windows while preserving your existing data.

This method essentially forces a fresh installation of the latest Windows version over your existing setup, which resolves a wide range of persistent update errors that the standard troubleshooting steps couldn’t fix.

Common Windows Update Error Codes and What They Mean

Error 0x80070070 (Insufficient storage space): This directly points to a lack of available disk space. Follow Step 2 above to free up storage before retrying.

Error 0x8024402F (Network connectivity issue): This suggests a problem communicating with Windows Update servers, often related to firewall settings, VPN interference, or general connectivity issues. Follow Step 7 above.

Error 0x800f0922 (Update installation failure, often tied to VPN or system reserved partition): Try temporarily disabling any active VPN connection, and confirm your System Reserved partition has adequate free space.

Error 0x80073712 (Corrupted system files): This error specifically points to damaged or missing files needed for installation. Running the System File Checker and DISM tool (Step 5) is the most direct fix for this particular error.

Error 0xc1900101 (Driver-related installation failure): This often occurs during major feature updates and points to a driver compatibility issue. Updating your device drivers, particularly for graphics cards, storage controllers, or network adapters, before retrying the update often resolves this.

Pro Tips for Avoiding Future Windows Update Problems

• Keep at least 20-30GB of free storage space available at all times, since major feature updates in particular require substantial temporary space during installation, even if the final installed size is much smaller.
• Don’t interrupt an update mid-installation. Closing your laptop lid, forcing a shutdown, or losing power during an active update installation is one of the most common causes of corrupted update states that require extensive troubleshooting afterward.
• Regularly restart your computer, rather than only using Sleep mode, since some update processes require a full restart to complete properly, and constantly avoiding restarts can create a backlog of pending updates.
• Keep your device drivers updated through Windows Update’s Optional Updates section or directly from your hardware manufacturer’s website, since outdated drivers are a common cause of update failures, particularly for major feature updates.
• Consider using “Pause updates” strategically rather than disabling updates entirely, since Windows allows you to postpone updates for up to 5 weeks if you need to avoid an update temporarily due to a known issue affecting your specific hardware or software setup.
• Back up important files regularly, ideally using a combination of an external drive and cloud storage, so that if an update ever causes a serious issue, you have peace of mind that your data is safe regardless of the outcome.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Repeatedly restarting the computer mid-update without waiting long enough. Some updates take considerably longer than expected, and interrupting the process prematurely, assuming it’s frozen, can cause more serious corruption than simply waiting it out.
• Ignoring available storage space warnings. If Windows specifically warns you about insufficient space before an update, address it before proceeding rather than attempting to force the update anyway.
• Disabling Windows Update entirely as a long-term “fix.” While this stops error messages from appearing, it also leaves your system without important security patches, which creates a much larger risk than dealing with occasional update errors.
• Not checking Microsoft’s official Windows release health dashboard. Occasionally, a widespread bug affects a specific update for many users simultaneously, in which case Microsoft typically pauses the rollout or releases a fix, and there’s no need to spend hours troubleshooting an issue that’s already a known, temporary problem.
• Skipping driver updates before major feature updates. Particularly for graphics cards and storage controllers, outdated drivers are one of the most common causes of failed feature update installations.

Conclusion

Windows Update errors are frustrating, but the vast majority can be resolved without needing professional technical support, using the built-in troubleshooting tools Microsoft provides directly within Windows. Starting with the simplest options first, running the Windows Update Troubleshooter, checking your storage space, and restarting update-related services, resolves a large percentage of common errors quickly. For more persistent issues, clearing the update cache, running System File Checker and DISM, or using the Media Creation Tool for a manual in-place upgrade will handle even the more stubborn cases.

Understanding the specific error code you’re encountering can also save significant troubleshooting time, since certain codes point directly to a specific root cause, like insufficient storage or a driver conflict, rather than requiring you to work through every possible fix sequentially. With the steps and tips covered in this guide, you should be well equipped to get your Windows Update process running smoothly again, and to prevent similar issues going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it safe to delete the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder? Yes, this folder only contains temporary update files and cache data, not personal files or critical system components. Windows will automatically recreate the folder and redownload necessary update files the next time you run Windows Update.

2. How long does it typically take to fix a Windows Update error? It varies significantly depending on the specific issue, but simple fixes like running the built-in troubleshooter or freeing up storage space usually take under 10 minutes, while more involved fixes like the DISM tool or a full Media Creation Tool reinstall can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour.

3. Will fixing a Windows Update error delete any of my personal files? Most troubleshooting steps, including clearing the update cache, restarting services, and running SFC/DISM, do not affect personal files at all. Even the Media Creation Tool’s “Upgrade this PC now” option specifically allows you to keep your files and apps during the process.

4. Why does my update keep failing at the exact same percentage every time? This pattern often points to a specific corrupted file or driver conflict at that particular stage of installation. Running System File Checker and DISM, or checking for a driver-specific issue tied to that stage, is often more effective than simply retrying the same update repeatedly.

5. Can a VPN really cause Windows Update to fail? Yes, certain VPN configurations can interfere with the connection to Microsoft’s update servers, particularly if the VPN alters your network’s DNS settings or blocks specific ports. Temporarily disabling your VPN during the update process can help determine if this is the cause.

6. Is it worth paying for a third-party tool to fix Windows Update errors? In most cases, no. The built-in tools covered in this guide, including the Windows Update Troubleshooter, SFC, DISM, and the free Media Creation Tool, are more than sufficient for resolving the vast majority of update issues without needing to pay for third-party software. Be cautious of paid “PC repair” tools that claim to fix update errors, since some offer minimal real benefit over Microsoft’s own free tools.

7. What should I do if none of these steps fix my Windows Update error? If you’ve worked through every step in this guide without success, consider contacting Microsoft Support directly, or visiting a local computer repair service, since at that point the issue may involve a deeper hardware conflict or a highly specific bug requiring more advanced diagnostic tools than what’s available through standard troubleshooting.

8. Does upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 require paying for a new license? No, if your current Windows 10 installation is genuinely activated, upgrading to Windows 11 through Windows Update or the Media Creation Tool is completely free, provided your hardware meets Windows 11’s minimum system requirements, including TPM 2.0 support and a compatible processor.