7 ways to fix Windows Updates not working error

Updates are an important part of any Windows computer. So if something goes wrong with the updates, it's best to address them as soon as possible.

Since Windows Updates are important for many things, such as regularly updating malware information, fixing bugs, etc., if you can't install new updates, you are using your Windows in a very bad way.

So these are the best ways to fix Windows Updates not working error.

1. Update device driver

Device drivers are software that make various components of your Windows hardware work. If your device driver has been out of date for a while, it can cause inevitable conflicts with new updates.

In general, device drivers are automatically updated along with other Windows updates. However, in case that doesn't happen, you should find and update your device driver manually.

2. Use the Windows Update troubleshooter

Windows Update is the application that monitors all your Windows update processes. Like any other tool on Windows, it also occasionally fails or malfunctions.

If this is not a recurring problem with Windows, the troubleshooter can help you get rid of this error. Windows Troubleshooter is an all-in-one troubleshooting application that can help you quickly eliminate minor errors.

To run the Windows Update troubleshooter, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the search bar in the Start menu, type settings and select the best match.
2. Click Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters .
3. From there, run the Windows Update troubleshooter.

As soon as you do this, the tool will find all the problems with your PC updates. If any problems are found, the tool will automatically fix them.

3. Check Internet Connection

You've been downloading for a while but haven't seen much progress. While there's no official error dialog, you won't see downloads either.

In a case like this, it's possible that your Internet connection has gone down. It's best to check and fix the Internet connection on your PC first. Once you've confirmed or set up a properly functioning Internet, go to the update tool and retry the updates.

If you're still getting errors with Windows updates, don't panic! Let's move on to the next method below.

4. Check the date and time settings

Check the date and time settings on your PC. If something goes wrong with these settings, you will definitely have problems updating your Windows PC.

The reason is that Windows updates need your correct date and time information before downloading and installing new updates. This is important to help it establish the integrity of updates and thus avoid tampering or unauthorized access.

So change your data and time settings on Windows if it looks like it's telling the wrong time.

5. Free up disk space

In most cases, if there is not enough disk space on Windows, you will receive a message or notification. It will clearly state that you cannot download new updates without free space.

However, even if you don't receive any messages, you should still free your Windows storage from all the unnecessary stuff that fills it up.

There are many ways to free up disk space on a Windows computer. Try whatever works for you and then do the updates again and see if you run into any issues.

6. Perform a system restore

While there may not be a solution to all your problems in the real world, when it comes to Windows computers, System Restore is probably what comes next.

As a free tool from Microsoft, System Restore brings your PC and its settings back to a point where all used applications and settings were working fine - provided you created a restore point beforehand. In this case, by performing a system restore on Windows, you can get rid of the Windows Update error on your Windows 10 or 11.

7. Delete Software Distribution Folder

The Software Distribution Folder is a special folder containing the temporary files needed to perform Windows updates. These old files can sometimes cause problems with your regular Windows updates if left unchecked. Deleting old files from the Software Distribution Folder has been known to fix all update problems on your PC. So it's worth a try.

You can easily delete a folder using Command Prompt. Here's how to do it:

1. Go to the search bar in the Start menu, type cmd and launch it as admin by right clicking on it and selecting Run as administrator .
2. Now, you have to stop Windows Update Service first. Type the following command to do that and press Enter :
   

   net stop wuauserv

3. From there, type the following command to stop the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and press Enter :
   

   net stop bits

4. Open File Explorer and go to the following path:
   

   C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution

5. Select the contents of the folder and click Delete.

That's it, the Software Distribution Folder will be deleted afterwards. Now, restart Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Service with the command net start wuauserv and net stop bits respectively. Your Windows should be updated normally from here.

Jessica Tanner

Update 24 July 2023