When Windows Update gets stuck downloading, fails with an error code, or keeps offering the same update, the fix is usually one of a handful of steps: run the troubleshooter, free up space, repair system files, or reset the update components. This guide goes through them in order, from quickest to most thorough, for Windows 10 and Windows 11, with a table of common error codes and what they mean.
Quick Answer
- Restart your PC and try again.
- Run the Windows Update troubleshooter.
- Free at least 20 GB on drive C:.
- Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, then sfc /scannow.
- Reset the Windows Update components (Step 6).
Step 1: Restart and Check Basics
- Restart, then go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
- Disconnect VPNs and proxies temporarily.
- Unplug external drives and nonessential USB devices.
- Make sure the date and time are correct.
Step 2: Run the Troubleshooter
- Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter.
- Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run. Newer builds open the Get Help app for this.
Step 3: Free Up Disk Space
Feature updates need a lot of room. Use Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files (or Disk Cleanup > Clean up system files) to remove old files, and empty the Recycle Bin.
Step 4: Repair System Files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run, one at a time:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannowRestart and try Windows Update again.
Step 5: Check Services
Open services.msc and make sure Windows Update, Background Intelligent Transfer Service and Cryptographic Services aren’t disabled. Windows Update should be Manual (Trigger Start).
Step 6: Reset Windows Update Components
This clears the update cache, which fixes most stuck or repeating downloads. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserverRestart, then check for updates. Windows rebuilds both folders. Your update history list may look empty afterward; that’s normal.
Step 7: Install the Update Manually
- Note the update’s KB number from Update history or the error message.
- Search for it in the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
- Download the version for your system (x64 or ARM64) and run it.
For feature updates, use Microsoft’s Installation Assistant or an in-place upgrade from installation media, choosing Keep personal files and apps.
Common Error Codes
| Error | Usual cause | Try |
|---|---|---|
| 0x80070070 | Not enough disk space | Step 3 |
| 0x80073712 | Corrupted or missing files | Step 4 |
| 0x80070002 / 0x80070003 | Missing update files | Step 6 |
| 0x800f0922 | VPN, proxy or too-small System Reserved partition | Disconnect VPN; check partition space |
| 0x80240034 / 0x8024402F | Download interrupted or blocked | Check network and firewall; Step 6 |
| 0x800f081f | Missing source files for a component | Step 4, then Step 7 |
Windows 10 Note
Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Only PCs enrolled in Extended Security Updates receive security updates, and the consumer program runs until October 12, 2027. If updates stopped, check enrollment under Windows Update, or plan an upgrade to Windows 11. See also how to check for Windows 10 updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to delete SoftwareDistribution?
Yes, after stopping the services. Renaming it (as above) is safer because you can restore it.
My update is stuck at 0% or 100%. What now?
Wait at least an hour, then restart and use Step 6.
An update broke something. Can I remove it?
Yes: Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. Optional features such as the RSAT tools depend on the same update channel, which is why a broken Windows Update can block installing ADUC on Windows 11.
Summary
- Restart, disconnect VPNs and run the troubleshooter.
- Free up disk space and repair files with DISM and SFC.
- Reset update components by renaming SoftwareDistribution and catroot2.
- Install stubborn updates manually from the Update Catalog.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He started on a university help desk, spent years as the IT person for small businesses, and has been writing tech guides full time since 2020. Each guide is checked on a device he owns, and re-checked when a menu moves. More about Kermit.