Are you seeing a Windows 11 version 24H2 failed error or is your Windows 11 update stuck downloading? Several reasons may prevent Windows update download and installation on your device. It could be corrupted system files, slow internet connection, third-party antivirus, and more. Here in this post, you will learn how to fix Windows 11 update errors or what to do if the Windows update is stuck downloading. So let’s start.

Install latest Windows update is essential for keeping Windows 11 secured. But what if the windows update stuck downloading or fails to install with different errors

How to fix the Windows 11 update error?

Before moving forward first reboot your system, then check for and install the Windows updates on your device. Restart your device refresh the operating system and clear temporary glitches that may present there and cause the Windows update stuck or fail to install.

You need a stable internet connection to download Windows update files from the Microsoft server. That means if your internet connection is not working correctly that Windows update could get stuck while downloading. That’s why you should check if your PC has good internet speed. And yes disconnect VPN if configured on your device.

Again, to download and install the Windows updates on your device, you should have enough disk space on the C drive.

  • Open file explorer using Windows key + E
  • Click on This PC and check the available space on your C drive.
  • Make sure there is 2 or 3 GB of Free space, if not then you need to free up some storage space.

Temporarily disable third-party antivirus if installed on your device. Because sometimes these antivirus or VPNs disrupt the Windows update process.

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

As the name suggests, running Windows Update Troubleshooter automatically detects and fixes problems that might prevent downloading or installing Windows updates on your device. This is a built-in tool from Microsoft that is available for free. Infect many users suggest the Windows update troubleshooter helps them fix Windows update problems on Windows 10.

  • Press the Windows key and select the Settings app from there,
  • Select Troubleshoot on the System tab in Settings.
  • Then click Other-troubleshooters to view Windows 11’s troubleshooting tools.
  • Click the Run option for the Windows Update troubleshooter.

windows update troubleshooter

This will start Diagnosing Windows update problems and wait for the troubleshooter to do its stuff.  Once done restart the PC after the troubleshooter is complete. Now open settings then check for updates, this time windows updates download and install without any problem.

Restart Background Intelligent Transfer Services

Background Intelligent Transfer Service or BITS is an important Windows tool lets download or transfer files between computers over the internet. Similarly, the Windows update service plays an important role in downloading and installing Windows updates on your device. So if for any reason, this service is not started or is stuck running you may experience a failure Windows update install.

Start BITS service windows 11

  • Press the Windows key + R, type services.msc and press enter key,
  • The Windows service console will open, locate the background intelligent transfer service, and double-click on it to open its properties,
  • Here change the startup type to automatic and start the service next to the service status,
  • Well if the service is already running simply right-click on it and select restart,
  • Do the same with the Windows update service as well.

Now restart your PC to check if the changes have been made, and whether the Windows 11 update Error has been fixed or not.

Clear Windows update cache

Still need help, let’s reset the Windows update cache and delete already downloaded Windows update files. So that Windows can download these updates freshly. To do this first we have to stop Windows update and its related services.

  • Press Windows key + S and type cmd, right-click on the command prompt and select run as administrator,
  • Now run the command net stop wuauserv to stop the Windows update service,
  • Next, run the command net stop cryptsvc to stop the cryptographic service,
  • Then stop the background intelligent transfer service using the command net stop bits

command to stop windows update service

  • Now press Windows key + E to open File Explorer,  and navigate to  C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.
  • Here Delete all files and folders inside the download folder to do this press Ctrl + A to select all and hit the del key.

Clear windows 11 update cache

  • Restart your computer and check for updates again from Settings -> Windows Updates -> click on Check for updates

Download Updates Manually

Sometimes random glitches may prevent downloading or installing necessary Windows updates. Try downloading and installing the latest update manually.

  • To do this navigate to the Microsoft Update Catalog here,
  • Search for the KB number of the security update that’s failing to install or is stuck in download
  • Save the update file to your computer, and run it as administrator after it finishes downloading.

windows update catalog

Install Windows Update in Clean Boot State

If all the above methods fail to fix the problem, it’s time now to boot in clean boot state, check for and install the Windows update. When you start your PC in clean boot, it will start Windows using a pre-selected minimal set of drivers and startup programs. That helps bypass if any driver conflict or startup program prevents installing or applying Windows updates on your device.

  • Press Windows key + R, type msconfig and press ok to open the system configuration utility,
  • Under the General tab, select the radio button selective startup and uncheck load startup items. Ensure load system services and use the original boot configuration option is checked,
  • Now move to the Services tab, select hide all Microsoft Services check box then click on Disable All,

Hide all Microsoft services

  • Click on apply, then ok and restart your computer,
  • Now again check for updates, hope this time you get success without any problems.

Run DISM and SFC scan

Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM.exe) and system file checker (SFC) command-line utility built into the Windows operating system help service system image and repair corrupted system files on your PC. If there is a possibility that the computer’s system files have become corrupted, Windows 11 updates may fail to install. In that case, an SFC scan can help you repair system crashes and can resolve other Windows errors.

  • Open command prompt as administrator,
  • First, run the command DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
  • Let DISM scan and service the system image, it may take a few minutes to an hour,
  • Next, run sfc /scannow command to scan and replace corrupted missing files with the correct ones,
  • Once the command is executed 100% restart your PC and try to install Windows updates again.

Switch to Google DNS

This is an effective one, especially if the Windows update is stuck downloading or fails to download.

  • Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and click ok
  • This will open the network connections window, right-click on the active network adapter, select properties,
  • On the WiFi/Ethernet Properties screen, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.
    On the next screen, select use the following DNS server addresses option and enter 8.8.8.8 as your Preferred DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 as the Alternate DNS server
  • Click on OK to save the new DNS Server settings on your computer.
  • Restart your computer and you should now check for Windows updates again.

Switch to Google DNS

So that’s how to solve Windows update Errors in Windows 11. Installing and maintaining updates is an important part of keeping the Windows operating system healthy and running. We hope that the methods listed above worked for you and that your system can now re-download the relevant updates.

Robeg
I am Robeg founder of this blog. My qualification. completed Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). With a strong background in computer applications love write articles on Microsoft Windows (11, 10, etc.) Cybersecurity, WordPress and more.