Windows update fails to install windows 10

The Windows operating system is not new to bugs and errors. Recently, many users tried to install the Windows 11 2H22 update but to no avail. Instances quite like this have even surfaced in the previous Windows 10 versions as well where a Windows Update failed to install. 

So, if this has happened to you as well, you are in luck today because here we’ll discuss all the possible things you can do if the Windows update fails to install on your Windows 11/10 PC. 

It is highly recommended that after each of the methods below to fix the “Windows update failed” error, retry installing the update. This way you’ll know which of the below fixes worked out.  

Why Does Windows 11/10 Update Keep Failing?

• Retry fetching Windows Update – Sometimes when you try to install a Windows update, it fails the first few times, after which you can reinstall it. 
• Check storage space – Lack of storage space could be the reason why you are unable to install a Windows update.
• Antivirus might interfere – Sometime back Microsoft blocked updates to Windows 10 for users who were running Antivirus such as AVG. If that’s the case you can try out an alternative. 
• Update files are corrupt – If the update has not yet been rolled out to all users or is still in the testing phase, you may want to wait for a while for a stable version. 
• Some application is interfering – Try uninstalling a recently installed application to find out if it is the culprit. For this, boot your computer in a “Clean Boot State”.

We’ll be discussing fixes for all the above reasons and a few others in the post that follows. 

Windows Update Fails To Install Every Single Time? Try These Fixes

1. Try Again

If the Windows update fails to install the first time, try twice or thrice more. Sometimes, you may not get it right the first time but subsequent tries may result in fetching the update successfully. 

2. Check Your Internet

In case there is bad internet reception or if your internet is disconnected, your Windows update will keep failing. In either case, you can try out the fixes mentioned in this post. And, once your internet is back on track, retry installing the Windows update.

3. Run SFC Scan

By running an SFC scan you can get rid of the corrupt system files which are making it difficult for you to install updates. To run the SFC scan –

1. In the Windows search bar, type CMD and click on Run as administrator from the right-hand side. 

2. When the Command Prompt opens, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. 

Once the scan is over, check if you can install the update. 

4. Delete Temporary Files and Browser Cache

Accumulation of temporary files or browser cache can sometimes create hindrances in fetching updates. To delete temporary files – 

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type %Temp%, and press Enter. 

3. Select all the files and delete using the shift + delete operation. Here’s how you can clear cache and cookies. 

5. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Why not let Microsoft try and find the solution to the problem at hand? You can use the inbuilt Windows Update Troubleshooter to fix the issue. For that here are the steps – 

On Windows 11

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I. 

2. From the right-hand side, click on Troubleshoot. 

3. Click on Other troubleshooters. 

4. Click on Run next to Windows Update. 

On Windows 10

1. Open Settings. 

2. Click on Update & Security. 

3. Click on Troubleshoot.

4. Under Get up and running, select Windows Update. 

5. Click on Run the troubleshooter. 

6. Disable Your Antivirus and Then Update

Although we highly recommend having an Antivirus ready to combat any and every malicious threat that may attack your data and computer, in this case, you may disable your Antivirus once and then try to fetch the Windows update. 

7. Do You Have Sufficient Storage Space?

One of the reasons why Windows update keeps failing on your computer could be because there is not enough storage space on your hard drive. Although, Windows reserves space for an update, there is a possibility that you have run out of storage space. Here, there are many ways you can free up storage space. For instance – 

• You can transfer some files onto an external hard drive. 
• Remove duplicate files. 
• Remove unwanted files which are unnecessarily taking up space on your computer. 
• Uninstall applications that you don’t need at all. 

8. Update Windows In Clean Boot State

Some programs running in the background might be interfering with Windows updates. To tackle such situations Windows comes with a clean boot state using which you can identify such issues and tackle them. Here’s how you can Clean Boot Windows. In the same post, we have also discussed in what other situations can Clean Boot be helpful.  

9. Check If Windows Service Is Enabled?

Regardless of whether it is Windows 10 or 11, if Windows update keeps failing, chances are the Windows update service is not properly set up. Here are the steps to ensure it is running properly – 

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R. 

2. Type services.msc and press Enter. 

3. When the Services window opens, locate Windows Update and double-click on it. 

4. In the Windows Update Properties window, change the Startup type to Automatic (if not already). 

5. Click on Apply and then OK. 

6. Again go back to the Services window, locate the Background Intelligent Transfer Service, and do the same as above. 

7. Restart your computer and try fetching the Windows update.

Wrapping Up

We are hopeful that the above-mentioned methods will help any users whose Windows updates fail to install repeatedly. And, if you have been able to fix the issue, do let us know in the comments section which of the above fixes helped you out. For more such tips and tricks, keep reading WeTheGeek. You can also find us on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Flipboard, Facebook and YouTube.

Have a question in mind why does some of the Windows updates just refuse to install? Sometimes when you open Windows update history you might notice it shows some Windows updates failed to install with different errors such as 0x800f080a, or 0x800f0904. If you are experiencing a similar problem Windows Update Won’t Install Updates or Windows 10 update failed to install or stuck downloading you are right on track. In this post, we discuss some of the unique solutions you can apply to make Windows install updates again.

Recently Microsoft has released Windows update KB5030211 for devices running the latest Windows 10 version 22H2. Installing KB5030211 bumps OS to Windows 10 Build 19045.3324 and focuses on security and non-security fixes. However several Windows users report Windows 10 update KB5030211 fails to install with different errors 0x800f0922, 0x8000ffff, 0x800f0826.

Many users describe the problem on Microsoft’s forum

There were problems installing some updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help:
2023-09 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5030211) – Error 0x800f0831, 0x800f0900 or 0x80070005″

Why does Windows update fail to install?

There are many possible things that can cause Windows 10 Updates to fail over and over. A slow internet connection that may fail to download Windows updates from Microsoft server or a Computer that doesn’t have enough free drive space to complete Windows 10 updates are common. Again Corrupt update files, Due to some reason update service is not started, and third-party software or antivirus conflict also causes Windows update failed to install on your computer.

• Restart your computer and check for updates again probably help fix the problem.
• You need to free up disk space, disable security software and try to install Windows updates
• Ensure the Internet connection is stable and disconnect VPN (If configured on your computer)
• Running Windows update troubleshooter automatically diagnoses and fixes the related problem on Windows 10.
• Restart Windows update service and Clear Windows update cache help most users fix such problems.

How to fix Windows update problems?

The first thing we recommend is to reboot your PC, check for and try to install the Windows update again. When you reboot your PC, not only refreshes the operating system but also clears temporary glitches present there that prevent Windows updates download or apply.

Open the command prompt as administrator and run this command SC config trustedinstaller start=auto Now try to install the Windows update again.

Check internet connection

The next thing you need to check your internet connection. Yes, make sure you have a stable internet connection to download Windows update files from the Microsoft server.

• You can check your internet speed at fast.com or speedtest.net.
• Press Windows key + R, type ping google.com -t, and click ok to check if continuously getting ping replay from the Google server.

If ping replay breaks you need to troubleshoot the internet connection before downloading or installing Windows updates.

In addition, disconnect the VPN if configured on your device and temporarily disable security software before trying to install Windows updates.

Free up some disk space

You need to check and make sure you have enough free space on the system drive to download and apply the latest Windows updates. It’s important especially if you have SSD drive installed.

• Press the Windows key + E to open files explorer then click on This PC,
• Look at the system drive (usually C) minimum of 10 GB of free space there. If not you need to free up some disk space.

• To Free up disk space on your system drive, you can move some download files to an external drive.
• You can also reclaim a lot of storage by uninstalling apps and Games you rarely use.
• In addition, run Disk Clean up or read how to delete temporary files automatically on Windows 10. 

Pro tip – Disconnect nonessential devices such as USB flash drives or external HDDs, headphones or printers before checking for Windows updates.

Try to install the Windows update again

As per Microsoft experts, the most common cause of Windows Update failed messages is that there are two updates waiting. If one is a servicing stack update, it has to install first, and the machine has to restart before it can install the next update. Restart Windows and try running Windows Update again, yes this is very effective for most users.

• Press the Windows key + X and select settings,
• Click on Update & Security the hit check for updates button,
• Also, make sure to click on the download and install link under optional updates (If available)
• This will start the download and install Windows updates from the Microsoft server,
• You only need to restart your PC to apply Windows updates.

Start windows clean boot State

Clean booting your computer may also help. If any third-party software causes conflict to download & install Windows updates.

Here’s how to do this:

1. Go to the search box > type msconfig
2. Select System Configuration > Go to the Services tab
3. Select Hide all Microsoft services > Disable all

• Go to the Startup tab and click on open Task Manager
• Disable all the unnecessary services running there.
• Restart your computer and check for updates.

Now open Windows update settings and hit the check for updates button.

Try Windows Update Troubleshooter

Run the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter that attempts to identify and fix any problems that exist that might prevent Windows 10 from downloading and installing the latest Windows Updates.

The process will automatically scan for and detect problems within your system, which can take a few minutes to complete.

To run the update troubleshooter

• Press Windows key + x and select settings,
• Go to Update & Security then Troubleshoot, Click on the additional troubleshooter link.

• Locate Windows Update select it and then click on Run the troubleshooter.

• The diagnosis process checks the status of Windows Update and its related Services, repairs, and resets Windows Update components.
• In Addition, the troubleshooter clears the Windows Update cache, related temporary files, checks for pending updates, and more.
• Once the troubleshooting is complete restart your computer and check for Windows updates again.

Reset Windows Update cache

If the problem continues after running the troubleshooter, the Windows update stuck download 100 or fails to install then reset Windows update components following the steps below.

Open Command Prompt as administrator, enter the following commands and hit Enter after each one:

• net stop wuauserv
• net stop cryptSvc
• net stop bits
• net stop msiserver
• Ren C:\WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
• net start wuauserv
• net start cryptSvc
• net start bits
• net start msiserver

These commands will first Stop the Windows update service and its related services. Then rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to SoftwareDistribution.old (Where Windows stores update files, if any files in this folder get corrupted this may cause Windows updates fail to install. ) After that restart the Windows update and its related services.

If you are not comfortable with a command prompt then

• Open the Windows services console using services.msc
• Stop Windows Update service and its related services (BITS)
• Now open File Explorer using Windows key + E and Go to the following location. C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
• Delete everything in the folder, but do not delete the folder itself.
• To do so, press CTRL + A to select everything and then press Delete to remove the files.

Or rename the Software Distribution folder (C:\Windows\) After that restart the services you previously stopped. and check for Windows updates again.

Switch Google DNS

If you notice Windows updates won’t download or are stuck downloading updates then change your DNS address following the steps below. Several users recommended this as a working solution when Windows updates are stuck downloading.

• Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and click ok,
• This will open the network connections window,
• Locate your active network adapter, right-click and select properties,
• Double-click on Internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to open its properties,
• Select the radio button, use the following DNS server address then set preferred DNS server 8.8.8.8 and Alternate DNS server 8.8.4.4.
• Checkmark on validate settings upon exit, click ok, apply and ok

Now try to install Windows updates again and check its status.

Repair Corrupted Windows System Files

Corrupted system files might prevent new Windows updates to apply and result Windows 10 update fails to install or is stuck download. Run DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and sfc (System file checker) utility help detect and repair missing system files automatically.

• Open the command prompt as administrator,
• First, run DISM command DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
• Once the command is executed run sfc /scannow command
• Both commands check system image health and check for corruption in system files if found it will restore them with the correct one.
• Let the scanning process complete 100%, Once done restart your PC and try to install the Windows update again.

Update Windows 10 Offline

Also, you can resolve Windows update installation problems by manually installing the latest Windows 10 updates.

• Visit the Windows 10 update history webpage where you can notice the logs of all the previous Windows updates that have been released.
• For the most recently released update, note down the KB number.
• Now use the Windows Update Catalog Website to search for the update specified by the KB number you noted down. (for example KB5030211) Download the update depending on if your machine is 32-bit = x86 or 64-bit = x64.
• Open the downloaded file in order to install the update.

That’s all after installing the updates simply restart the computer to apply the changes. Also, If you are getting Windows Update stuck while upgrading the process simply use the official media creation tool to upgrade to Windows 10 version 22H2 without any error or problem.

Did these solutions help to fix “Windows 10 update error 0x800f0900“? Let us know in the comments below. Also, read

• Windows 11 upgrade or installation failed? 9 Things to Try
• Solved: Windows 10 black screen with cursor after sleep
• Solved: An operating system wasn’t found on Windows 10/8.1/7
• Solved: Windows 10 start menu search not working after update
• Windows 11 Photos App not opening or Not working? Try these solutions

Microsoft recently released Windows 10 Build 19045.3448 with KB5030211 Update for Devices running Windows 10 version 22H2 with various security fixes. But it appears to be causing headaches for users. Several users complain that KB5030211 for Windows 10 version 22H2 broke some PCs. Some others 2023-09 Cumulative updates for Windows 10 version 22H2 for x64-based system (KB5030211) failed to install with different errors 0x800f0922, 0x8000ffff, 0x800f0826 and more. Also, several users mentioned on the Microsoft forum that the Windows 10 KB5030211 update was downloaded but stuck while installing these updates.

Cumulative update for Windows 10 version 22H2 for x64-based system failed to install

Several users in Microsoft community forum said that the (KB5030211) fails to install. It is worth noting that only a small number of users are experiencing such issues and Microsoft hasn’t yet acknowledged the installation problems.

How to fix Windows 10 update installation issues

• Check and make sure you have a working internet connection to download Windows Update files from the Microsoft server.
• Disconnect from VPN (if configured on your PC), and security software such as third-party antivirus.
• Make Sure that you have enough free disk space before installing the update.
• Remove all external storage media, such as USB drives and SD cards.

If Windows 10 update KB5030211 is stuck during download at 0% or 99% or completely failed to install, it might be that something went wrong with the file itself. Clearing the folder where all of the update files are stored will force Windows Update to download fresh files.

Clear Windows Update Files

• Type services.msc on the start menu search and hit the enter key.
• This will open the Windows services console, scroll down and locate the Windows update service
• Right-click on Windows update service, and select stop.
• Do the same with its related service BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service)

• Now press Windows + E keyboard short and Go to the following location.

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

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• Here Delete everything inside the download folder, but do not delete the folder itself.
• To do so, press CTRL + A to select everything and then press Delete to remove the files.
• Again open Windows services and restart the services (Windows update, BITS) that you previously stopped.

Run Windows Update troubleshooter

Now run the built-in Windows update troubleshooter that automatically detects and fixes the problems that prevent Windows update installation.

• Open the Settings app using the Windows + I keyboard shortcut,
• Navigate Update & Security then troubleshoot and click on Additional Troubleshooters
• Here on the right-hand side select Windows Update and run the Troubleshooter
• This will start the diagnosis process and fix any problem preventing Windows updates to download and install.
• Once the diagnosis process is complete, Restart your PC

Disable Security Software & perform a clean boot

Also, Disable Any security software or antivirus protection (if installed), search for updates, install the available updates and then turn on your antivirus protection.

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Clean booting your computer may also help. If any third-party software causes conflict to download & install Windows updates. Here’s how to do this:

1. Go to the search box > type msconfig
2. Select System Configuration > Go to the Services tab
3. Select Hide all Microsoft services > Disable all

Go to the Startup tab > Open Task Manager > Disable all the unnecessary services running there. Restart your computer and check for updates, hope this time Windows updates download and install without any error.

Switch to Google DNS

Here is another working solution you must apply if Windows updates fail to download and install.

• Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and click ok
• This will open the network connections window, Locate your active network adapter right-click on it select properties,
• Locate and select Internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) then click properties,
• And finally, change the preferred DNS server 8.8.8.8 and Alternate DNS server 8.8.4.4.
• Checkmark on validate settings open exit, click ok apply.
• Now again open Windows Update and hit the check for updates button.

Run DISM command

There are chances that corrupted or missing system files prevent applying the latest Windows updates. Run DISM restore health command with the system file checker utility that helps deal with corrupted system files and restore them if found any.

• Open the command prompt as administrator,
• Type the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press enter key,
• Once the scanning process completes 100% run the system file checker utility command sfc /scannow.
• Wait until the scanning process completes 100% and reboot your computer.
• Let’s again open update & security settings and check for Windows updates.

Install Windows Update manually

This is another way to install Windows updates without any errors or Stuck downloading. And no need to run the Windows update troubleshooter or Clear the update cache. You can resolve the problem manually by installing the latest Windows 10 updates.

• Visit the Windows 10 update history webpage where you can notice the logs of all the previous Windows updates that have been released.
• For the most recently released update, note down the KB number.
• Now use the Windows Update Catalog Website to search for the update specified by the KB number you noted down. Download the update depending on if your machine is 32-bit = x86 or 64-bit = x64.
• (As of today – KB5030211 is the latest patch for Windows 10 version 22H2 and KB5030214 (OS Build 17763.4851) is for Windows 10 version 1809.
• You can get offline download links for these updates from here
• Open the downloaded file in order to install the update.

That’s all after installing the updates simply restart the computer to apply the changes. Also If you are getting Windows Update stuck while the Upgrade process use the official media creation tool to upgrade to Windows 10 version 22H2 without any error or problem.

Did any of these solutions help you fix the problem? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read:

• Stop Windows 10 Update from Installing Updates Automatically
• 7 Tips to Fast a Slow Computer in Less Than 10 Minutes
• How to Well Optimize Windows 10 Performance For Gaming 
• Solved: NVIDIA Installer Failed issue on Windows 10 version 22H2
• Difference Between Windows 10 Cumulative and Feature Updates