Windows Update is not Working in Windows 10 [Best Fixes]

Windows Update is a crucial component of the Windows 10 operating system. Without it, users can experience a range of issues, from security flaws to missing features. Windows Update not working Windows 10 is our focus in this guide.

Unfortunately, Windows Update is not always reliable and can sometimes fail to work properly. When experiencing problems with Windows Update on your PC, then there are a few things you can try to get things back up and running.

Why is Windows Update not loading?

There could be several reasons why Windows Update is not loading. The reasons may include but does not limit to: Windows Update Troubleshooter Windows Troubleshooter not working

• Insufficient system resources: The computer may not have enough resources (e.g. RAM, CPU and disk space) to support Windows Update.
• Corrupt or missing files: The Windows Update service may be missing critical files. It might also corrupt, preventing it from running.
• Antivirus software interfering: Some antivirus programs can prevent Windows Update from working correctly.
• Outdated driver: Outdated drivers can cause conflicts with the Windows Update service.
• Network connection issues: Windows Update requires an active internet connection to download and install updates.
• Temporary glitches: Temporary server issues or other glitches on Microsoft’s side may prevent Windows Update from working properly.
• Malware: If malware infects your PC, it can prevent Windows Update from loading. You should run a malware scan to remove malware.
• Software Clashes: If multiple software programs run simultaneously, they can interfere with Windows Update and cause it to fail.
• Windows Update Service Not Running: If the Windows Update Service is not running, it can also prevent Windows Update from loading. You can try restarting the service from the Services window.

What do I do if my Windows 10 won’t update?

1. Restart your PC to fix Windows update not working Windows 10

Restarting a PC when Windows 10 won’t update is crucial because it can help to reset the system and clear out any temporary issues that could be causing the update to fail. It can also help to free up memory, which can help the update proceed.

Additionally, restarting the PC will shut down any applications or programs that may be interfering with the update process. Windows update not working Windows 10 can also be sorted.

Finally, restarting the PC can help to reset any hardware components that may be causing the update to fail.

2. Check the internet connection

1. Click on the Search icon on the Taskbar, enter cmd in the Search entry, and then click on the Command Prompt app to open it.
   
2. Then enter the following command to verify you have an active internet connection and hit Enter:
   ping google.com
   
   Pinging Google’s domain was an example. You can use choose to use other pingable domains or services, such as CloudFlare.com, or Google DNS services (8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4)
3. Make sure you’re getting a reply without any packet loss.

3. Check router range to fix Windows update not Working windows 10

1. If you are using a wireless router, check to ensure that the Wi-Fi is within range of your computer. The closer your PC is to the internet, the faster the speed.
2. When connected, check to confirm that the signal strength you see is at maximum. It works best that way.
3. Even more, in addition to the standard 2.4 GHz, there are available dual-band routers that support 5 GHz bandwidth, and it offers a higher Internet speed. If your router is in this category, ensure you connect to the 5GHz network.
   

4. Update your network drivers

1. Press the Window + X hotkeys to open a Windows 11 shortcut menu.
2. Select Device Manager from the Quick Link menu list.
   
3. Afterward, locate and double-click Network Adapters on the device list and then right-click on your Internet Network adapters and select Update driver.
   
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers and allow the process to complete.
5. It will automatically install new drivers on your computer if the Windows 11 utility identifies a new driver.

5. Update driver rollback

1. Press the Window + X hotkeys to open the Quick Link menu, then click Device Manager.
   
2. Now, double-click on the driver you want to work on, right-click on the device and choose Properties.
   
3. Scroll to the Drivers tab and then click Roll Back Driver button.
   
4. Select the appropriate reason and then click the Yes button.
   

6. Scan for malware

1. In the search box, search for Windows Security.
   
2. Click on the relevant search result to open the application. Now click Virus & threat protection.
   
3. Afterward, click on the Scan options to view all available scans.
   
4. Choose the Full scan option and click the Scan now button to do a deep scan on your PC for viruses or malware.
   

7. Run Windows Diagnostic tool

1. Firstly, click the Search icon on the Taskbar and enter memory diagnostic in the entry box.
2. Now click on the Windows Memory Diagnostic app to launch the tool.
   
3. Now in the Windows Memory Diagnostic window, click Restart now and check for problems (recommended) to run diagnostics immediately.
   
4. Allow the tool to check for memory problems. Afterward, Windows will display the test result for you.

8. Change your DNS

1. Firstly, right-click on the network icon in the Taskbar and select Open Network and Internet settings.
   
2. On the following display, click on Change adapter options under Advanced network settings.
   
3. Then find your network connection, right-click it, and select Properties from the list of options.
   
4. Once the properties dialog opens, choose Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.
   
5. Then choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter 8.8.8.8 as a Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 as Alternate DNS server.
   
6. Finally, click OK to save changes.

9. Delete all files from the Software Distribution directory

1. Click on the Search icon on the Task bar, enter cmd in the Search entry and then click on the Command Prompt app to open it.
   
2. Then type the following command lines and click Enter after each one to run them one by one:
   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 msiserver


10. Use misconfig to fix Windows update not working Windows 10

1. Firstly, click on the Search icon on the Taskbar, enter misconfig in the Search entry, and then click on the System Configuration app to open it.
   
2. Then go to the Services tab on the System Configuration window.
   
3. Uncheck the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox and then choose the Disable all option.
   
4. Afterward, go to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
   
5. Choose each application and click Disable to prevent them from starting up when computer is booting up.
   
6. Once done, close Task Manager and hit Apply, then Ok.
   
7. Finally, a prompt to restart the computer will pop up, choose to restart.

In conclusion, Windows Update not working on Windows 10 can be a frustrating experience. However, there are several solutions available that can help you resolve the issue.

These solutions have been identified in this solution guide. If you still have issues, then you may need to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.