How to fix update stuck on 'Working on updates' in Windows?

Windows updates are a routine part of keeping your PC secure and equipped with the latest features from Microsoft. Typically, the process hums along in the background – downloading, installing, and finalizing with a quick reboot. But for some, that smooth flow stalls, leaving the screen frozen on a message that reads “Working on updates”, often with a percentage that refuses to budge. If you’re facing an update stuck on “Working on updates,” you’re not alone – it’s a common frustration that can test your patience.

The update stuck on “Working on updates” issue might appear during a major feature update, like a shift to a new Windows version, or even with smaller monthly patches. You could see it right after the download phase, with the system seemingly locked in a loop – sometimes for hours – showing little to no progress. It’s not just inconvenient; it can leave your PC unusable until resolved, which is a headache if you rely on it daily.

What’s behind this problem? Several factors could be at play. A slow or unstable internet connection might interrupt the download, while corrupted update files could confuse the installation process. Background services essential to updates might stall, or there could be insufficient disk space to unpack everything. In some cases, recent driver changes or third-party software might throw a wrench into the works.

There are ways to break free from an update stuck on “Working on updates.” You might try pausing and resuming the update to jolt it back to life, or clear out the update cache to remove problematic files. Checking your internet stability or freeing up disk space could help too. For more persistent cases tied to system-level hiccups, a repair tool like FortectMac Washing Machine X9 could address underlying Windows issues.

Fix 1. Pause and resume update

A temporary glitch might freeze the update process, and pausing then resuming can nudge it back into action without much effort.

• Type Updates in Windows search and press Enter.
• Click Pause updates for 7 days (in Windows 11, you can pick any other time).
• Wait a minute, then click Resume updates.
• Check if Windows update installs normally again.

Fix 2. Check services

• Type in Services in Windows search and press Enter.
• Locate Windows Update Service.
• If it is already running, right-click and select Restart.
• if the service is not running, double-click it to open Properties.
• Under the Startup type, select Automatic from the drop-down menu.
• Click Start, Apply, and OK.
• Locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic service, and Windows Installer service, and repeat the process.

Fix 3. Reset Windows update components

Corrupted or stuck update files in the cache can prevent progress. Clearing them forces Windows to fetch fresh copies.

• Type cmd in Windows search.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and pick Run as administrator.
• User Account Control will ask you whether you want to allow changes – click Yes.
• Paste in each of these commands, pressing Enter every time:
  net stop bits
  net stop wuauserv
  net stop appidsvc
  net stop cryptsvc
  Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%Application DataMicrosoftNetworkDownloader*.*”
  rmdir %systemroot%SoftwareDistribution /S /Q
  rmdir %systemroot%system32catroot2 /S /Q
  regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
  regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
  regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
  netsh winsock reset
  netsh winsock reset proxy
  net start bits
  net start wuauserv
  net start appidsvc
  net start cryptsvc
• Reboot your computer.

Fix 4. Free up disk space

Insufficient storage can halt the update process as it needs room to unpack files. Clearing space might let it continue.

• Type Disk Cleanup in Windows search and hit Enter.
• If your Windows is installed on drive C, pick it from the list (should be by default) and press OK.
• Click Clean up system files.
• Select your main drive again and click OK.
• Here, select the largest portions of the data used – these typically include Temporary Internet Files, Windows Update, Temporary Files, Recycle Bin, Delivery Optimization Files, and others. Marking Windows Update is vital here.
• Click OK – the process should be finished shortly.

Fix 5. Run Windows Update and network troubleshooters

This built-in tool can detect and fix common update issues, potentially unsticking the process by resetting stalled components.

• Type Troubleshoot in Windows search and hit Enter.
• Select Additional troubleshooters/Other troubleshooters.
• Find Windows Update from the list and click Run the troubleshooter/Run.
• The troubleshooter will automatically scan your system for potential problems and display any issues it finds.
• If the troubleshooter finds any issues, it will provide recommended solutions.
• Repeat this process with Network & internet troubleshooter.

On Windows 10 use Network troubleshooter as follows:

• Right-click on Start and select Settings.
• Go to the Network & Internet section.
• On the right side, locate the Advanced network settings section.
• Click Network troubleshooter.
• Wait till the troubleshooter finishes the scan.
• The fixes should be applied automatically.

Fix 6. Run Check Disk

Hard drive issues like bad sectors can disrupt the update process. Checking and repairing the disk might resolve the problem.

• Open Command Prompt as administrator.
• When User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
• In the new window, type in the following command and press Enter after:
  chkdsk c: /f
  (Note: use chkdsk c: /f /r /x command if you are using SSD as your primary partition)
• If you receive an error, type in Y, close down Command Prompt and restart your device.
• Wait until the scan is finished – you can find the results in the Event Viewer.

Fix 7. Disable third-party antivirus or run Clean Boot

Security software might interfere with update files, causing a hang. Temporarily disabling it can test if it’s the culprit.

• Open your antivirus program from the system tray.
• Locate the option to disable real-time protection and turn it off.
• Return to Windows Update and check if installs fine.

If this does not help, you can try running clean boot and checking for other software conflicts.

• Type msconfig in Windows Search and press Enter to open the System Configuration window.
• Click on the Services tab and check the Hide all Microsoft Services box.
• Click Disable all to disable non-Microsoft services, then click the Startup tab.
• Open the Task Manager, disable all startup items, and close the Task Manager.
• Go to the Boot tab and mark the Safe boot option.
• Click OK on the System Configuration window and restart your computer.
• Try installing the update again.

Fix 8. Run SFC and DISM

Deeper system file corruption might block updates, and the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool can repair the Windows image.

• Open Command Prompt as administrator.
• Copy and paste this command and hit Enter:
  sfc /scannow
• Wait for the scan to finish.
• As soon as it finishes, Windows will report whether integrity violations were found and if they could be fixed. Regardless of the outcome, use these commands next, pressing Enter after each:
  Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Close down the Command Prompt and restart your device.

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