Why do your Windows updates keep failing (it's not the internet)?

Windows Update has recently stopped installing patches on some people's computers. The download bar moves a little, then freezes and returns the same error code every time. The usual connection checks have been done: restarting the router , switching to a mobile hotspot, and even trying the update at different times, but nothing has changed. Meanwhile, everything else on the internet is working fine. They can still stream videos, sync files, and download apps without any interruption. It's clearly a Windows issue, not a network issue.

Windows Errors That Many People Don't Notice At First

Failed updates come from leftover files

When your system prepares for an update, it creates a group of temporary files that store the parts needed for the installation. These files are usually stored locally on your computer so Windows can continue the process without having to download the same data again. If the update fails, these files are usually still there. Windows can try to use them again the next time you check for updates. If any of these files are corrupted, the installation may fail the same way every time.

Windows doesn't point to this folder or warn you that cached files are the cause. It's so deep inside the system that most people never check it. Many people don't look there until they search for the error code online and see other people describing the same problem. In many cases, the update may fail because a temporary file in the update cache is corrupted. No amount of online troubleshooting can replace a corrupted file that's already on your computer. The problem is inside Windows.

How to reinstall updates for Windows

Deleting old data will fix the update loop error

Now that the update cache is likely the culprit, the next step is to delete the files in the folder that Windows uses to temporarily store update data. This folder is called SoftwareDistribution and is located in the Windows main folder. The system uses it to store update files and related data that it downloads before installing updates. This folder does not store personal documents, and deleting it will not delete installed applications, although the list of installed updates may appear incomplete until Windows rebuilds.

Before deleting anything, you should pause the update services. In the Services window, stop both Windows Update and the Background Intelligent Transfer Service. These background programs handle the downloading of updates and file transfers for Windows. While they're running, Windows may still keep some temporary files in the SoftwareDistribution that are in use, which can block the deletion. Stopping the services will pause the update process long enough to work with the folder.

Next, open SoftwareDistribution and delete its contents. Just delete the files inside the folder. The folder itself will remain intact so Windows can continue to use it properly. These are temporary update files that Windows used. Deleting them will force the system to download new copies the next time you check for updates. The next time Windows updates, it will automatically reload the folder with new data. If any files refuse to delete even after services have stopped, restart in Safe Mode and repeat the process to delete the folder's contents.

After deleting the folder, go back to the Services window and restart Windows Update and the Background Intelligent Transfer Service. This should have brought the update services back to normal. When I checked for updates later, Windows downloaded a clean file and the installation proceeded without stopping.

Lesley Montoya

Update 08 December 2025