Fix Windows Update issues

What does this guided walk-through do?

This guided walk-through provides steps to fix problems with Windows Updates, such as taking a long time to scan, or error codes while installing updates.

Common error codes

The steps in this guided walk-through should help with all Windows Update errors and other issues. As an example, here are some commonly seen error codes: 0x80073712, 0x800705B4, 0x80004005, 0x8024402F, 0x80070002, 0x80070643, 0x80070003, 0x8024200B, 0x80070422, 0x80070020. However, you do not need to search for the specific error to solve it. The steps provided here should fix any errors that come up during the Windows Update process.

How does it work?

We’ll walk you through a series of troubleshooting steps to get your Windows up to date. Be sure to follow the steps in order.

On which Windows version did you get the error?

If you don’t know, see Which Windows operating system am I running?

Note

If you are using Windows 8, you need to upgrade to Windows 8.1 because Windows 8 is no longer supported.

Windows 10

Windows 8.1

Windows 7

On which Windows version did you get the error?

If you don’t know, see Which Windows operating system am I running?

Note

If you are using Windows 8, you need to upgrade to Windows 8.1 because Windows 8 is no longer supported.

Windows 10

Windows 8.1

Windows 7

Run the network troubleshooter

Here's how:

Press the Windows key, type Network problems, and then select Identify and repair network problems in the list.
Follow the steps in the wizard to diagnose and resolve your network problems.
Run Windows Update again.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Run the network troubleshooter

Here's how:

Right-click the Network
or
icon in the notification area, and then select Troubleshoot problems.
Follow the steps in the wizard to diagnose and resolve your network problems.
Run Windows Update again.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Here’s how:

Download the Windows Update Troubleshooter, and then select Open or Save in the pop-up window.

Note

If you select Save, you need to go to the folder where the troubleshooter is downloaded to after the download is complete, and then double-click the latest wu.diagcab file to run the troubleshooter.
Select Next and follow the steps in the wizard to find and fix problems with Windows Update .

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Here’s how:

Download the Windows Update Troubleshooter, and then select Open or Save in the pop-up window.

Note

If you select Save, you need to go to the folder where the troubleshooter is downloaded to after the download is complete, and then double-click the WindowsUpdate.diagcab file to run the troubleshooter.
Select Next and follow the steps in the wizard to find and fix problems with Windows Update .

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Here's how:

Download the Windows Update Troubleshooter, and then select Open or Save in the pop-up window.
Note
If you select Save, you need to go to the folder where the troubleshooter is downloaded to after the download is complete, and then double-click the WindowsUpdate.diagcab file to run the troubleshooter.
Select Next and follow the steps in the wizard to find and fix problems with Windows Update .

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Fix Windows file corruption

Important

You need to run both the DISM and SFC commands shown below, not just one of them.

Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, right click the Windows button, and then select Command Prompt (Admin). If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow or Yes.
Type the following command, and then press Enter.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Note It might take several minutes for the command operation to be completed.

Type the following command and press Enter.

sfc /scannow

Note It might take several minutes for the command operation to be completed.

Close the command prompt, and then run Windows Update again.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Reset or reinstall Windows

If none of the previous steps resolve the issue, you need to reset or reinstall the Windows, see Recovery options in Windows 10.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Problem resolved

We're glad that your Windows Update problem is resolved.

Still having problems?

We’re sorry that your issue can‘t be resolved with this guide. Please contact Microsoft support if you need more help.

Reset or reinstall Windows

If none of the previous steps resolve the issue, you need to reset or reinstall the Windows, see How to refresh, reset, or restore your PC.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Reset or reinstall Windows

If none of the previous steps resolve the issue, you need to reset or reinstall the Windows, see What are the system recovery options in Windows?

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Fix Windows file corruption

Important

You need to run both the DISM and SFC commands shown below, not just one of them.

Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, right click the Windows button, and then select Command Prompt (Admin). If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow or Yes.
Type the following command, and then press Enter.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Note It might take several minutes for the command operation to be completed.

Type the following command and press Enter.

sfc /scannow

Note It might take several minutes for the command operation to be completed.

Close the command prompt, and then run Windows Update again.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Download the most recent KB

Here’s how:

Go to the Update history page.
Find the most recent update KB for the version of Windows 10 you have – it’s usually at the top of the list – and either write the KB number down or copy it.
Go to the Microsoft Update site and search for the KB number.
Select the link for the download, and then choose Download. Select Save if you are prompted.
When the download completes, select Open to start the update.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Download the most recent Servicing Stack Update (SSU)

Determine whether you are using 32-bit or 64-bit Windows:

From Start, choose Settings.
Select System.
Click About.
Scroll down to System type.

Download the version of the latest SSU (KB4090914) that matches your version of Windows from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Restart your device and check for updates.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Perform an in-place upgrade

Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool (MCT) and use it to perform an “in-place upgrade” of Windows 10. We have a video that can show you how if you aren’t sure.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Perform a clean install of Windows 10

Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool (MCT) and use it to perform a clean install of Windows 10. We have a video that can show you how if you aren’t sure.

Note A clean install will delete all of your saved data and installed apps. Make sure to back up your data before doing a clean install. You will need to recreate your user accounts and reinstall your apps.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Upgrade to Windows 10

The best option is to upgrade to Windows 10. Windows 10 is the most up-to-date Windows operating system, with many new features and improved security.
For information about upgrading to Windows 10, see: https://www.microsoft.com/windows/get-windows-10

Note Some apps and hardware you are using with Windows 8.1 might not be compatible with Windows 10. Downloading Windows 10 and running the install will first do a compatibility check to notify you of any issues. If you don’t want to upgrade, or can’t upgrade due to compatibility concerns, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

I am upgrading to Windows 10.

I upgraded to Windows 10, but it didn't solve the problem

I am not upgrading to Windows 10 right now.

Download the most recent Servicing Stack Update (SSU)

Before downloading the SSU, you will have to turn off Automatic Updates.

Press the Windows key + X and choose Control Panel.
Select Windows Update.
Choose Change Settings.
Change the settings for updates to Never.
Choose OK.
Restart the device.

Download KB3173424 using the links under Method 2 in that article. Make sure to download the appropriate 32-bit or 64-bit version for your operating system. Click here to see how to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of Windows.

Restart the device again, and then turn Automatic Updates back on.

Press the Windows key + X and choose Control Panel.
Select Windows Update.
Choose Change Settings.
Change the settings for updates to Automatic.
Choose OK.
Restart the device.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Upgrading to Windows 10

Thank you for upgrading to Windows 10. If you have issues with Windows Update in Windows 10, please return to this guided walk-through and select Windows 10.

Upgrade to Windows 10

Note Some apps and hardware you are using with Windows 7 might not be compatible with Windows 10. Downloading Windows 10 and running the install will first do a compatibility check to notify you of any issues. If you don’t want to upgrade, or can’t upgrade due to compatibility concerns, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

I am upgrading to Windows 10.

I upgraded to Windows 10, but it didn't solve the problem

I am not upgrading to Windows 10 right now.

Download the most recent Servicing Stack Update (SSU)

Before downloading the SSU, you will have to turn off Automatic Updates.

Click Start, type Windows update in the search box, and then click Windows Update in the Programs list.
In the left pane, click Change settings, select Never check for updates, and then select OK.
Restart the computer.

After the computer restarts, download KB3177467 using the links under Method 2 in that article. Make sure to download the appropriate 32-bit or 64-bit version for your operating system. Click here to see how to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of Windows.

Restart the computer, then turn Automatic Updates back on. Open Windows Update, select Change Settings. Under Important Updates, click the dropdown and select Install updates automatically (recommended). Click OK to save your changes, and then select Check for updates to download and install any remaining updates.

Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Rename software distribution backup folders

From Start, search for cmd
Select Command Prompt from the results
At the Command Prompt, type the following and then push Enter:

Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
When that command completes, type the following and then push Enter:

Ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
Close the Command Prompt window, and reboot your computer.

Check for Windows Updates again. Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Rename software distribution backup folders

From Start, search for cmd
Select Command Prompt from the results
At the Command Prompt, type the following and then push Enter:

Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
When that command completes, type the following and then push Enter:

Ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
Close the Command Prompt window, and reboot your computer.

Check for Windows Updates again. Did this resolve the issue?

Yes

Upgraded to Windows 10, still having the problem

Thank you for upgrading to Windows 10. If you have issues with Windows Update in Windows 10, please return to this guided walk-through and select Windows 10.

Last Updated: Mar 15, 2018

Did this solve your problem?