How to Fix Windows Update Problems

Windows Update keeps your PC secure and fixes bugs in Windows, so it's worth getting it working again. When it gets stuck or shows an error code, Microsoft's troubleshooting guide points to a handful of usual suspects: a connection or power problem, not enough free space, a damaged update download, damaged system files, or other software getting in the way. Work through the fixes below in order and check for updates again after each one. Steps are for Windows 11, with Windows 10 menu differences noted.

1. Start With the Basics: Power, Connection and a Restart

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1. Plug your PC into power, especially if it's a laptop.
2. Check your internet connection in Start > Settings > Network & internet, and reconnect if needed.
3. Select Start > Power > Restart.
4. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Some updates need an administrator account to install. If you use a standard account, ask the PC's administrator to install them.

On Windows 10: select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Expected result: updates download and install, or you see a specific error code to work with.

2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

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Microsoft's troubleshooter runs diagnostics and tries to fix the problem for you.

1. Open the Get Help app and run the Windows Update troubleshooter there.
2. If that doesn't fix it, select Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then select Run next to Windows Update.
3. Restart when it finishes, then check for updates again.

On Windows 10: go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters, select Windows Update and then Run the troubleshooter.

Expected result: the troubleshooter lists what it found and fixed. If it finds nothing, continue below.

3. Set the Date and Time Automatically

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Microsoft lists a wrong date or time as something to check when updates fail.

1. Select Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
2. Turn on the settings that set the time and the time zone automatically.
3. Select Sync now.

Expected result: the clock on your taskbar shows the correct date, time and time zone.

4. Free Up Drive Space

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Microsoft's troubleshooting guide asks for at least 16 GB of free space on 32-bit Windows and at least 20 GB on 64-bit Windows.

1. Select Start > Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations.
2. Review each category, select the items you don't need and select Clean up.
3. If you still need space, Microsoft suggests removing apps you don't use (listed under Unused apps), moving files to an external drive such as a USB drive or SD card, or using OneDrive Files On-Demand.

On Windows 10: search for Disk Cleanup, pick your drive, tick the file types to delete and select Clean up system files for more.

Expected result: your system drive shows enough free space in Settings > System > Storage.

5. Unplug Extra Hardware and Update Drivers

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1. Disconnect storage drives, docks and other hardware you don't need right now, then try the update again.
2. Check your PC or device maker's website for driver updates, install them, and try again.
3. If an error points to a driver (Microsoft gives 0xC1900101 as an example), right-click Start, open Device Manager, expand Display adapters or Network adapters, right-click the device, select Uninstall device and restart, then reinstall or update its driver.

Expected result: the update installs with only the hardware you need connected.

6. Clear the Windows Update Cache

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Damaged files in the update download folder can make updates fail repeatedly. Clearing it makes Windows download them again.

1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
2. Right-click Windows Update and select Stop.
3. In File Explorer, open C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete everything inside it (not the folder itself).
4. Back in Services, right-click Windows Update and select Start.
5. Check for updates again.

Expected result: Windows downloads the updates again from scratch and installs them.

7. Repair System Files With DISM and SFC

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1. Type cmd in the search box, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press Enter. This can take a while.
3. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Don't close the window until verification reaches 100%.
4. Close Command Prompt and run Windows Update again.

DISM uses Windows Update to get repair files by default. If Windows Update is badly broken, Microsoft explains how to point DISM at another repair source instead. For a full walkthrough of SFC, see How to Repair System Files Using System File Checker.

Expected result: SFC reports that it found no integrity violations, or that it repaired the corrupt files it found.

8. Check Third-Party Security Software

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Microsoft notes that antivirus or security software from other companies can cause errors while updates install. Check the maker's site to confirm it supports your version of Windows. If it does and updates still fail, temporarily uninstall it, install the updates, then reinstall it straight away.

Expected result: the updates install, and your security software is back on afterward.

9. Look Up Your Error Code

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If Windows Update shows a code, it tells you where to look. Microsoft lists these common ones:

• 0x800f0922: not enough disk space, or a problem with .NET or other components (see section 4, and turn off any VPN).
• 0x8007000d: a damaged update file or cache (see sections 2 and 6).
• 0x800705b4: the update took too long or was interrupted (see section 1).
• 0x80240034: an incomplete update or connection problem (make sure the Windows Update service is running in services.msc, and see section 2).
• 0xC1900101: an incompatible driver (see section 5).
• 0x80070005: access denied or not enough permissions (use an administrator account).
• 0x80070422 (Windows 10): the Windows Update service is turned off or stopped (start it in services.msc).

Seeing 0x80070643? See How to Fix Install Error 0x80070643 in Windows.

Still Not Updating? What to Try Next

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• Check the drive for errors: in an administrator Command Prompt, run chkdsk /f C: and restart when asked.
• Try a clean restart: start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, then try the update, to rule out software conflicts.
• Remove a problem update: if trouble started after a particular update, go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
• Reinstall Windows: as a last step, Microsoft offers a clean installation tool on its software download page. Back up your files first.
• Windows 10 users: Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.