How To Fix Windows Update Error | The “1-Minute” Fix

Windows update errors are common and usually stem from corrupted temporary files or a stuck background service. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to fixing them, ordered from the easiest solution to the most advanced.

1. The “1-Minute” Fix: Run the Troubleshooter

Before digging into files, let Windows try to fix itself.

• Windows 11: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Click “Run” next to Windows Update.

• Windows 10: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Select Windows Update and “Run the troubleshooter.”

2. Clear the Update Cache (Most Effective)

If an update is stuck at “0%” or “Downloading,” a corrupted file is likely blocking it. You need to clear the temporary download folder.

1. Open the Start Menu, type cmd.

2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

3. Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

   DOS

   net stop wuauserv
   net stop bits
   

   (This stops the update services so you can delete the files.)

4. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard, paste this path, and hit Enter: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution

5. Delete everything inside this folder. (Skip any files that say they are “in use”).

6. Go back to your Command Prompt window and restart the services:

   DOS

   net start wuauserv
   net start bits
   

7. Restart your PC and try updating again.

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3. Repair System Corruption (DISM & SFC)

If the update fails with a specific error code (like 0x800f081f), your core Windows files might be damaged.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator again.

2. Run this “Check Health” command first (it may take 5-10 minutes):

   DOS

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   

3. Once that finishes, run this command to fix system files:

   DOS

   sfc /scannow
   

4. If it says “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them,” restart your computer and try the update again.

4. Manual Install (The Workaround)

If one specific update refuses to install, you can bypass Windows Update entirely.

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update and look for the update code (e.g., KB5034441).

2. Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog.

3. Search for that KB code.

4. Download the version that matches your system (usually “x64 Based Systems” for most modern PCs) and double-click the file to install it manually.

5. “Nuclear” Reset (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, use this command sequence to completely reset every component of the update agent. Run these in an Administrator Command Prompt:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver