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If updates won't install, you get an error message, or your Surface freezes while its updating, here are a few things to try.

Note: To learn how to install updates manually, see Update Surface firmware and Windows.

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

If you’re having trouble installing an update, try running the Windows Update automatic troubleshooter, which can fix some common update problems:

  1. Select Start  > Settings  > System > Troubleshoot , or select the button below.

    Go to Troubleshoot

  2. Select Other troubleshooters . Next to Windows Update , select Run.

Check your date and time settings

If your date and time settings aren’t correct, you may see Windows Update error 80072F8F when checking for updates, or updates may not install correctly.

To check your date and time settings, go to Start , and select Settings > Time & language .

Charge your battery

Note: This section doesn’t apply to Surface Studio (it doesn’t have a battery).

Make sure your battery is charged to at least 40 percent before trying to install updates.

If you see Windows Update error 8024004C, or if your Surface battery won’t charge above 40 percent, remove and reinstall the battery driver. Here’s how:

  1. Plug in your Surface.

  2. Select Search on the taskbar, enter device manager, and in the search results, select Device Manager.

  3. Select the arrow next to the Batteries category.

  4. Double-click Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery or Surface Battery, and under the Driver tab, select Uninstall device > OK.

  5. Select Start Power > Restart . Restarting will reinstall the driver for you.

If the battery charges above 40 percent after you reinstall the driver, try installing updates again.

If your battery still won’t charge above 40 percent, your Surface might need service. For more help, How to get service for Surface.

Note: For more info on Surface batteries and power, see How to charge Surface.

Restart your Surface

Warning: Interrupting updates while they’re in progress could damage your Surface. If an update seems to be stalled and your Surface doesn’t restart automatically, wait at least 20 minutes before trying to restart your Surface yourself.

If you’re seeing any of these errors, restarting your Surface might fix the problem:

  • Update error 80248007

  • Update installation freezes for more than 20 minutes

  • Update stays on "Getting Devices Ready..." screen for more than 20 minutes

  • Update stays on "Please wait while we install a system update" screen for more than 20 minutes

  • Update history shows "pending restart"

  • Update history shows update “failed”

If you get one of these errors, try each of the restart solutions below, in the order listed.

Solution 1: Restart your Surface

Select Start Power > Restart  (or Update and restart ).

After your Surface restarts, try installing updates again. If you’re still having a problem, try Solution 2.

Solution 2: Force a shut down

See Force a shutdown and restart your Surface to find out how.

After your Surface restarts, try installing updates again. If you’re still having trouble installing updates, your Surface may need service. For help with this, How to get service for Surface.

Install Surface updates manually

If you’re still having trouble installing Surface updates, try downloading an update file and installing it manually. For more info, see Update Surface firmware and Windows.

Notes: 

  • The update files are for Surface hardware and firmware only. You can’t install Windows updates this way.

  • You can’t download and install Surface updates manually on Surface Pro or Surface Pro 2.

If you’re still having trouble installing updates, you may need to restore or reset your Surface.

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Note: Some products might not be available in your country or region.

If updates won't install, you get an error message, or your Surface freezes while its updating, here are a few things to try.

Note: To learn how to install updates manually, see Install Surface and Windows updates.

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

If you’re having trouble installing an update, try running the Windows Update automatic troubleshooter, which can fix some common update problems:

  1. Select Start  > Settings  > Update & Security  > Troubleshoot , or select the button below.

    Go to Troubleshoot

  2. Select Additional troubleshooters, then select Windows Update .

  3. Select Run the troubleshooter.

Check your date and time settings

If your date and time settings aren’t correct, you may see Windows Update error 80072F8F when checking for updates, or updates may not install correctly.

To check your date and time settings, go to Start , and select Settings > Time & language .

Charge your battery

Note: This section doesn’t apply to Surface Studio (it doesn’t have a battery).

Make sure your battery is charged to at least 40 percent before trying to install updates.

If you see Windows Update error 8024004C, or if your Surface battery won’t charge above 40 percent, remove and reinstall the battery driver. Here’s how:

  1. Plug in your Surface.

  2. Select the search box in the taskbar, enter device manager, and in the search results, select Device Manager.

  3. Select the arrow next to the Batteries category.

  4. Double-click Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery, and under the Driver tab, select Uninstall > OK.

  5. Go to Start , and select Power > Restart .
    Restarting will reinstall the driver for you.

If the battery charges above 40 percent after you reinstall the driver, try installing updates again.

If your battery still won’t charge above 40 percent, your Surface might need service. Go to Surface troubleshooting and support for more info.

Note: For more info on Surface batteries and power, see Surface battery and power.

Restart your Surface

Warning: Interrupting updates while they’re in progress could damage your Surface. If an update seems to be stalled and your Surface doesn’t restart automatically, wait at least 20 minutes before trying to restart your Surface yourself.

If you’re seeing any of these errors, restarting your Surface might fix the problem:

  • Update error 80248007

  • Update installation freezes for more than 20 minutes

  • Update stays on "Getting Devices Ready..." screen for more than 20 minutes

  • Update stays on "Please wait while we install a system update" screen for more than 20 minutes

  • Update history shows "pending restart"

  • Update history shows update “failed”

If you get one of these errors, try each of the restart solutions below, in the order listed.

Solution 1: Restart your Surface

Go to Start , and select Power > Restart (or Update and restart ).

After your Surface restarts, try installing updates again. If you’re still having a problem, try Solution 2.

Solution 2: Force a shut down

See Force a shut down and restart your Surface to find out how.

After your Surface restarts, try installing updates again. If you’re still having trouble installing updates, your Surface may need service. Go to Surface troubleshooting and support for more info.

Install Surface updates manually

If you’re still having trouble installing Surface updates, try downloading an update file and installing it manually. For more info, see Install Surface and Windows updates.

Notes: 

  • The update files are for Surface hardware and firmware only. You can’t install Windows updates this way.

  • You can’t download and install Surface updates manually on Surface Pro or Surface Pro 2.

If you’re still having trouble installing updates, you may need to restore or reset your Surface.

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