Windows is the most used operating system worldwide. The majority choose it for its versatility and compatibility with other programs, and has a very intuitive interface. And to maintain that quality, Microsoft is always developing new updates for the Windows system.
Most of the time, the system is configured so that updates are downloaded automatically if you are connected to the Internet, thanks to the Windows Update tool. This is very favorable since, if we keep our system updated, we reduce the risk of our computer being attacked by malware, ransomware, or other computer viruses.
But even so, there are times when the update process stops or the computer freezes. Yes, it is annoying; many Windows users have never experienced it. So don’t despair; here, we will show you different ways how to fix the update process if Windows Update is not working.
Windows Update does not work; what to do?
Before doing any of the following instructions, we advise you to ensure that the update process has stopped. Sometimes it can take time, and it is not until after 30 minutes or more than the process is restored. This usually happens because the updates do some fixes to the system. For this reason, we advise you to wait at least 3 hours to find out if the update has stopped.
You can also check if the update is stuck by checking the CPU and RAM activity.
- To do this, open the task manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete simultaneously, or simply by searching for it in Start.
- Once the Manager is open, click on the performance tab.
Here, you can see the CPU, RAM, hard drive, and internet connection activity. If you see a high percentage of activity, then the update process has not stopped.
Does it show little activity on the system? Then it is likely that the update is really stalled and that Windows Update is not working correctly.
Download the Microsoft tool
This problem is quite common, so much so that even Microsoft has created a tool that corrects problems with Windows Update.
You have to go to this link, choose your operating system, download the troubleshooter, and run it. Then you must choose Windows Update from the options and click Next. The program will then ask you for administrator permissions to try to fix any problems it finds.
After doing this, it is recommended that you follow our next recommendation.
Try restarting your computer
Yes, as simple as that: try restarting your computer normally. If your computer screen is frozen and you cannot press the icon of the Windows window, open the Task Manager as we already explained to you, pressing Ctrl+Alt+Spr. Then click the Shutdown option at the bottom right of the screen and select Restart. Then try to turn on updates with Windows Update again.
Use the ‘Troubleshoot’ of Windows 11
You can also try to fix Windows Update with the Windows 11 built-in Troubleshooter. But before that, you need to clear the Windows Update cache.
For this, you must first disable the Windows Update tool; then you must enter the SoftwareDistribution folder in the path:
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
And delete all the files you see there. In this way, you will have cleared the update cache. Now reopen Windows Update.
After this, you can open the “Troubleshoot” tool.
- Open Control Panel and type ‘Troubleshooting.’ Select the first option.
- Now look for the ‘System and Security section, and click on the ‘Fix problems with Windows Update‘ option.
- Now click on ‘Advanced Options‘, and check that the box ‘Apply Repairs Automatically‘ is checked. Click ‘Run As Administrator‘ and then click ‘Next.’
This will allow the program to find and resolve any issues with a stuck update in Windows Update.
Go back to a previous version of the Operating System
With this option your computer can return to a previous state and, in this way, any recent bugs or errors will be eliminated and you will be able to perform the updates again.
- First you need to open the Control Panel, and in the search bar type ‘Recovery‘. You can also type ‘Recovery’ in the search engine.
- Choose the ‘Open System Restore‘ option in the window that will appear.
- You click next and then you will see a box where you can set the date you want your computer to return to. We advise you to put the time before you had problems with Windows Update. When you have done this, click Next.
This recovery process to go back to a previous version is not only good for fixing problems with Windows Update, it can also fix other types of problems, such as an error of some application that does not uninstall, a general system failure or simply going back to the configuration you had at that time.
Once you finish this procedure, try again and activate the updates from Windows Update.
Windows Update still not working?
If none of this works, your last option is to reset your PC. For that you can enter the ‘Windows Recovery Options‘.
Here you will see the option to reset your PC. You can choose to keep your files or delete them and then proceed to reinstall Windows 11 We strongly advise you to make a backup of your files before doing this procedure.
Hit ‘Start‘, and then choose whether you want to keep or delete your files.
Once the system has been reset, try again and turn on updates from Windows Update.
The problem persists and Windows Update still not working?
Well, we recommend that you reinstall Windows normally. Make a copy of all your files and reinstall the operating system from scratch. You can make parts of the hard drive to keep your files and system files separate and then yes, reinstall. We know that it is somewhat annoying, but it is always recommended that Windows Update works without problems.
