Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update

Updating Windows to the latest version is always very important.

However, many times Windows cannot be updated due to various reasons. I can list some common Windows Update related errors as follows:

1. The first is the most common error that is: Windows Update cannot install the update.
2. The next may be because there is not enough free memory on the computer for the update.
3. Finally, the Windows upgrade error while rebooting. Normally when an upgrade error occurs, Windows will automatically cancel and reverse all the updated components to return to the same state. However, sometimes this error will become a loop and keep restarting continuously.

Okay, now that we know the reason, now, we will come to the detailed instructions together!

#first. Disable anti-virus software and firewall

Of course, for those of you using Windows Defender and Windows Firewall, you don't need to do this step. This section is only for those who use external anti-virus software such as Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, etc.

Before updating Windows, please disable your antivirus before downloading updates. If that doesn't work, try uninstalling your anti-virus software.

#2. Enable Data Execution Prevention on Windows

+ Step 1: You open Windows Search (using the key combination Windows + S) => and search with the keyword performance => then select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 1

+ Step 2: Then you go to Data Execution Prevention tab => Next you tick Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select => and you click OK.

=> Finally, please restart your computer and try updating Windows again to see if it works!

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 3

#3. Clean up the partition containing the Windows operating system

Cleaning junk on your computer is also an effective method to reclaim storage space on your hard drive. We will use the Disk Cleanup tool itself to delete junk, sometimes you will get back dozens of GB of storage!

Perform:

+ Step 1: You press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box => then enter the command cleanmgr => and press Enter.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 5

+ Step 2: Select the drive containing the operating system, usually C drive.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 7

+ Step 3: Wait for a while => then select Clean up system files.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 9

+ Step 4: Select all items that can be cleaned => then click OK to agree. You can choose all of them!

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 11

+ Step 5: Continue to select Delete Files.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 13

Now you just have to wait. The time depends on the amount of free space. It can be from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 15

=> Finally, when the cleaning is done, restart your computer and try updating Windows again.

#4. Use the Windows Update debugger

+ Step 1: You press the Windows + S key combination to open Windows Search => enter the search keyword troubleshoot => then select Troubleshoot Settings.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 17

Step 2: Click Additional troubleshooters.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 19

+ Step 3: Then you choose Windows Update.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 21

Now you just have to wait. If it can be fixed, Windows Update Troubleshoot will fix it for you.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 23

#5. Download the Update directly through the Microsoft Update Catalog

You can download it manually by going to the Web site: Microsoft Update Catalog

Then enter the Windows 10 keyword or the name of the update you want to download => then click the Download button to download.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 25

=> Then you proceed to install the downloaded update files. The process of manually updating Windows has been detailed by the Admin in this article: How to update Windows 10 manually with a command in CMD

#6. Reset Windows Update components

Sometimes this error occurs because Windows Update or its components are damaged. Therefore, resetting the components of Windows Update is also a necessity.

+ Step 1: You open CMD with Admin rights.

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 27

+ Step 2: Next, run the following commands in turn (after each command, press the Enter key):

1. net stop wuauserv
2. net stop cryptSvc
3. net stop bits
4. net stop msiserver
5. Ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionSoftwareDistribution.old
6. Ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2Catroot2.old
7. net start wuauserv
8. net start cryptSvc
9. net start bits
10. net start msiserver

There are machines that will not be able to use this command. That's why you need to use another way.

#7. Last Way: Reinstall Windows

Yes, this is the most effective final skin and also the most time consuming. All problems will be solved when you reinstall Windows, there is only one problem that you may encounter, that is: Do you know how to reinstall Windows? :))

Fix Error not downloading or installing updates from Windows Update Picture 29

Micah Soto

Update 11 July 2021