How To Fix Windows Update Errors On Your PC

Having Windows Update issues on your PC can be frustrating. However, in most cases, these errors can be easily fixed by following some simple troubleshooting steps. Here are the most common Windows Update errors and how to resolve them:

Checking For Pending Updates

The first thing to try when you get a Windows Update error is checking for any pending updates. Sometimes an error occurs because an update was partially installed or interrupted.

To check for pending updates:

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
2. Click Check for updates. This will scan for any pending updates.
3. If any are found, click Download and install to complete the pending updates.

Pausing Updates Temporarily

If Windows Update is repeatedly failing, it’s a good idea to pause updates temporarily to give your PC a chance to stabilize.

Here’s how to pause updates:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
2. Click Advanced options
3. Under the Pause updates section, toggle Pause updates to On for 1 week
4. After 1 week, turn off pause updates and try checking for updates again

Pausing updates allows you to resume on your terms without constant update interruptions.

Performing SFC and DISM Scans

System file corruption is a common cause of Windows Update failures. Running SFC and DISM scans can detect and replace corrupted system files.

To run SFC and DISM:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt
2. Run SFC /scannow – this will scan Windows system files
3. Once SFC finishes, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair any issues
4. Restart your PC and try checking for Windows Updates again

In most cases, SFC and DISM will identify and replace corrupted files, fixing update issues.

Resetting Windows Update Components

If you still can’t install updates, resetting the Windows Update components can help resolve stubborn errors.

Here are the steps to reset Windows Update components:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt
2. Run net stop wuauserv to stop Windows Update service
3. Run net stop cryptSvc to stop Cryptographic service
4. Delete all files in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
5. Run net start wuauserv to restart the Windows Update service
6. Run net start cryptSvc to restart the Cryptographic service
7. Try checking for updates again

This will clear your update cache and reset the update components.

Performing In-Place Upgrade

If none of the above steps work, performing an in-place upgrade of Windows 10 can help resolve persistent Windows Update issues.

Here is how to do an in-place upgrade:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security
2. Click on Recovery and then Get started under the Reset this PC section
3. Click Keep my files when prompted
4. Allow the in-place upgrade to complete installation
5. Check for Windows Updates once done – they should now install successfully

The in-place upgrade will refresh your Windows OS while keeping your data and apps intact, often resolving update errors.

Clean Installing Windows

If all else fails, doing a clean install of Windows 10 will wipe out any lingering problems and give you a fresh Windows environment.

Here are the steps:

1. Backup your files and data
2. Download Windows 10 ISO file and create bootable installation media
3. Boot from the installation media and choose custom install
4. Delete all partitions and do a fresh install of Windows on empty unallocated space
5. Install drivers and applications
6. Check for updates – they should now work without issues

Although time consuming, a clean install guarantees a pristine Windows state ideal for unhindered Windows Updates.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most common Windows Update errors. A combination of updating pending updates, system scans, resets and clean installs will help get updates working again.