How to Fix Windows Updates That Keep Failing

Published 2026-10-16 · Marion Remote Fix

Windows Update downloads an update, starts installing it, gets partway through — and then fails. You see an error message ("We couldn't complete the updates, undoing changes"), an error code (0x80070002, 0x800f0922, 0x80073712, or dozens of others), or the update simply sits at "Pending install" or "Downloading" forever without progressing. Failed Windows updates are one of the most common computer problems, and the fix depends on where in the process the update is failing.

Fix 1: Restart and retry

The simplest fix, and it works more often than you would expect. Some update failures are caused by temporary file locks, services that did not start correctly, or a transient network issue during download:

  • Restart the computer (a full restart, not just sleep and wake)
  • After restart, go to Settings, Windows Update, and click Check for updates. Windows often successfully installs the update on the second attempt after a restart
  • If the update has been stuck at a specific percentage for a long time ("Installing — 45%" for over an hour), do not force-restart during installation. Wait at least 2 hours for a cumulative update or 4 hours for a feature update before concluding it is stuck. Force-restarting during installation can corrupt system files

Fix 2: Free up disk space

Windows updates require free disk space for downloading the update package, extracting it, and storing a backup of the current files (in case the update needs to be rolled back). The space requirements vary:

  • Monthly cumulative updates typically need 5 to 10 GB of free space
  • Feature updates (major version upgrades) need 20 to 30 GB of free space
  • Check available space: open File Explorer, click This PC, and check the free space on the C: drive
  • Free up space with Disk Cleanup: search for Disk Cleanup in the Start menu, select the C: drive, and check the boxes for Temporary files, Windows Update Cleanup, Delivery Optimization Files, and Recycle Bin. Click Clean up system files for additional options including Previous Windows installations (which can free 10 to 20 GB after a feature update)
  • If disk space is critically low (under 5 GB free), move large files to an external drive, uninstall unused programs, or clear the Downloads folder

Fix 3: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that checks for and fixes common update problems automatically:

  • Go to Settings, System, Troubleshoot, Other troubleshooters. Click Run next to Windows Update
  • The troubleshooter checks the Windows Update service configuration, the update cache integrity, and common error conditions. It can automatically fix misconfigured services, clear corrupted cache files, and reset update components
  • The troubleshooter does not fix all update problems, but it resolves the common configuration issues that cause updates to fail. Run it first before trying manual fixes

Fix 4: Clear the Windows Update cache

Windows stores downloaded update files in a cache folder (C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution). If files in this cache become corrupted (from an interrupted download, disk error, or previous failed installation), every subsequent update attempt fails because Windows tries to use the corrupted cached files instead of downloading fresh copies:

  • Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for cmd, right-click, Run as administrator)
  • Stop the Windows Update services: net stop wuauserv then net stop bits
  • Delete the cache contents: navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and delete all files and folders inside the Download folder. You can also rename the entire SoftwareDistribution folder to SoftwareDistribution.old — Windows will create a new one automatically
  • Restart the services: net start wuauserv then net start bits
  • Go to Settings, Windows Update, and click Check for updates. Windows will download fresh copies of the update files

Fix 5: Repair system files

Corrupted Windows system files can prevent updates from installing because the update process cannot modify or replace the damaged files:

  • Open Command Prompt as administrator
  • Run DISM first: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This checks the Windows component store for corruption and repairs it using Windows Update as a source. It requires an internet connection and can take 15 to 30 minutes
  • Then run SFC: sfc /scannow. This checks all protected system files and replaces corrupted ones using the component store (which DISM just repaired). SFC takes 10 to 20 minutes
  • After both complete, restart and retry the update. If DISM reports that it could not repair the component store, you may need to perform a repair install of Windows (an in-place upgrade using the Windows ISO) to fully restore the system files

Fix 6: Check Windows Update services

Windows Update depends on several background services. If any of these services are stopped, disabled, or misconfigured, updates fail:

  • Open Services (services.msc from the Start menu)
  • Check these services are set to their correct startup types and are running:
    • Windows Update (wuauserv): Should be set to Manual (Trigger Start) or Automatic. If it is Disabled, updates cannot run at all
    • Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS): Should be Manual or Automatic. BITS handles the actual download of update files
    • Cryptographic Services: Should be Automatic. This service verifies the digital signatures of update packages
    • Windows Installer (msiserver): Should be Manual. Some updates use the Windows Installer service for installation
  • If any service is Disabled, right-click it, select Properties, change Startup type to the correct setting, click Apply, then click Start to start the service immediately
  • Third-party optimization tools and some privacy-focused tools intentionally disable Windows Update services. If you have used such a tool, it may have disabled these services

Fix 7: Install the update manually

If automatic updates keep failing for a specific update, you can download and install it manually, bypassing the automatic update mechanism:

  • Note the KB number of the failing update (shown in Windows Update history, e.g., KB5034441)
  • Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website and search for the KB number
  • Download the version matching your system (x64 for 64-bit, ARM64 for ARM-based systems)
  • Run the downloaded .msu file. It installs the update directly without going through Windows Update. This bypasses cache corruption and download issues that affect the automatic process

Common error codes

  • 0x80070002 or 0x80070003: Files missing from the update cache. Clear the SoftwareDistribution folder (Fix 4)
  • 0x800f0922: Cannot connect to the update server, or insufficient space in the System Reserved partition. VPN connections can interfere — disconnect VPN and retry. If the System Reserved partition is too small, a partition resize may be needed
  • 0x80073712: Component store corruption. Run DISM /RestoreHealth (Fix 5)
  • 0x800f0831: Missing prerequisite update or component mismatch. Install any pending cumulative updates before the failing update. Check Windows Update history for a prerequisite that also failed
  • 0x80240034: Update cannot be downloaded. Clear the update cache (Fix 4) and check internet connectivity
  • 0x80070005: Access denied. A permission issue — run the troubleshooter (Fix 3) which can reset permissions, or check that your user account has administrator privileges

Windows Update fix — remote support

Marion Remote Fix diagnoses failing Windows Updates remotely — checking error codes, clearing corrupted caches, repairing system files, and resolving the specific issue preventing your computer from updating successfully.

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