Windows 11 Cumulative Update Failed to Install (Solved)

Microsoft has recently released Windows 11 KB5053598 Cumulative Update with various bug fixes and system performance enhancements. It’s a mandatory update download and installs automatically on devices running Windows 11 and connected to Microsoft server via the internet. You need to reboot your computer to apply the changes, but a few users reported the Windows 11 KB5053598 update stuck download. Sometimes you may notice Windows 11 KB5053598 download error with different error codes. It could be slow internet, security software, or a corrupted update database that causes this issue. If the Windows 11 update fails to install or is stuck downloading, apply the solutions listed below.

Windows 11 update failed to install

Before moving forward, check and make sure you have a stable Internet connection to download Windows 11 KB5053598 update files from the Microsoft server. Again disconnect VPN if configured on your device and uninstall any third-party antivirus software.

Restart your computer and check for updates again, refresh the operating system, and clear temporary glitches that may prevent Windows updates download and apply on your computer.

Check your device has enough free disk space to download and install or apply the updates. Or move some files to an external device and run the disk cleanup tool.

Run Update Troubleshooter

Whenever you face Windows update installation problems the first thing you must Run the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter. Run this tool to scan for problems that prevent Windows updates from installing, and check Windows updates and its related services if anything is wrong, the tool automatically tries to resolve it.

• Firstly, go to the Start menu and click on the Settings menu from the list.
• Then select the System from the left pane and click on the Troubleshooter from the right-side menu.
• Click on other troubleshooters, this will display all available troubleshooters, select Windows update then click on run.
• Windows Update troubleshooter can automatically detect and fix the problems if found any.
• Once done, restart your PC and check for updates again.

Repair Windows system files

Another effective solution to tackle the Windows Update not installing issue is running the SFC (System File Checker) tool to detect and repair corrupted system files. When system files become corrupted or damaged, it can interfere with the functioning of various components, including Windows updates.

• Firstly press the Windows key + S, type cmd in your search box, and open the Command Prompt screen as Administrator from the search result.
• Then on the black screen, type the command sfc /scannow and then press the Enter key,
• This will scan the system for corrupted or missing system files, if found, the utility automatically replaces them with the correct ones.

Let the scanning process complete 100%. Once you execute the command, type the following command and press Enter to restore damaged files,

1. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
2. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
3. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Finally, restart the system and try to install the pending update.

Reset Windows Update components

Usually, Windows update install problems occur when the Windows update agent-related services stop working, Windows 11 has an issue with the update cache, or some components get corrupted. In such situations, reset Windows update components and clear the update cache to help fix Windows 11 update problems.

• Press Windows key + S type cmd, right-click on the command prompt, select run as administrator
• Now type the following commands to stop Windows update and its related services, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) and
  Cryptographic service

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc

• Next Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer, then navigate C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download
• Delete all files and folders inside the download folder to do so, press the Windows key + A to select all then hit the Del key.

• Now again open the command prompt and restart Windows Update and its related services using the following commands

net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc

Finally, close the command prompt, restart your computer, and check for updates again.

Download and install the latest update manually

If you’re still failing to update Windows 11, let’s download and install the latest update manually. To do so,

• Navigate to the Microsoft Update Catalog, and search for the KB number of the security update that’s failing to install.
• For example KB5053598 (Till today this is the latest update for Windows 11)
• Save the update file to your computer, and run it after it finishes downloading.
• Finally, restart your computer to apply the update now run winver command. Check that the build number is Windows 11 version 24H2 build 26100.3476.

Switch Google DNS

In addition, a few users report changing the DNS address or switching to Google DNS to help them fix Windows 11 updates not downloading or failing to install issues. To do so,

• Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and click ok, to open the network connection window,
• Locate and right-click on your active network adapter, select properties,
• Select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) then click on properties,
• Select the radio button Use the following DNS server addresses and set preferred DNS server 8.8.8.8, Alternate DNS server 8.8.4.4
• Finally, click ok then apply to save the changes and restart your PC.
• Now check for updates again.

Did the above solutions help fix the Windows 11 update failed to install or the Stuck download problem? Let us know in the comments below.