Windows Update Gets Stuck,Most of the time, Windows Update does its process with little if any interest from us.
While we’d take a look at and installation updates manually from time to time, most Windows 10 computers are configured to apply vital updates mechanically, whilst older versions like Windows 7 and Windows eight generally practice those fixes the night time of Patch Tuesday.
Sometimes, however, when the patch, or maybe even carrier percent, is being set up for the duration of shutdown or startup, the replace set up gets stuck — freezes, locks up, stops, hangs, clocks… Something you want to call it. Windows Update is taking for all time and it’s clear some thing needs to be completed.
The installation of one or more Windows updates might be stuck or frozen if you see one of the following messages persist for a long time:
Preparing to configure Windows. / Do not turn off your computer.Configuring Windows updates / x% complete / Do not turn off your computer.Please do not power off or unplug your machine. / Installing update x of x...Working on updates / x% complete / Don't turn off your computerKeep your PC on until this is done / Installing update x of x...Getting Windows ready / Don't turn off your computerYou may also see Stage 1 of one or Stage 1 of three, or a comparable message prior to the second one example. Sometimes Restarting is all you’ll see at the screen. There may also be a few wording differences depending on which model of Windows you’re using.
If you don’t see something at all on display screen, specifically if you assume the updates might have been set up completely but will be the cause of anything you are experiencing, see our How to Fix Problems Caused by means of Windows Updates educational as a substitute.
Windows Update Gets Stuck,Cause of a Frozen or Stuck Windows Update
There are numerous reasons why the installation or finalization of one or more Windows updates can hang.
Most frequently, those styles of problems are because of a software program warfare or a preexisting difficulty that absolutely wasn’t delivered to light until the Windows updates started out installing. Much more not often are they because of a mistake on Microsoft’s part concerning the replace itself, however it does show up.
Any of Microsoft’s running structures ought to enjoy freezing troubles for the duration of Windows updates including Windows 10, Windows eight, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and others.
| Note: There’s an actual issue with Windows which could cause Windows Update installations to freeze like this but it is simplest applicable to Windows Vista and most effective if SP1 hasn’t yet been hooked up. If your laptop fits that description, set up Windows Vista SP1 or later to resolve the problem. |
Make Sure the Updates Are Actually Stuck
Some Windows updates can take numerous mins or extra to configure or deploy, so that you want to ensure the updates are without a doubt stuck earlier than shifting on. Trying to restore a problem that does not surely exist might simply create a trouble.
You can tell if Windows updates are stuck if nothing happens on screen for three hours or extra. If there’s any wonder after that long, check your difficult pressure hobby mild. You’ll see both no pastime in any respect (caught) or very everyday but very quick flashes of mild (no longer stuck).
Chances are that the updates are hung earlier than the 3-hour mark, but this is an inexpensive amount of time to wait and longer than I’ve ever visible a Windows replace take to correctly set up.
How to Fix a Stuck Windows Update Installation
01. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del.
Windows Update Gets Stuck, In a few situations, the Windows update(s) might be hung at a very unique part of the installation method, and you can be offered with your Windows login display after executing the Ctrl-Alt-Del keyboard command.
If so, go browsing as you generally could and allow the updates preserve to put in effectively.
| Note If your laptop restarts after the Ctrl-Alt-Del, study the second Note in Step2 under. If not anything happens (maximum possibly) then move on to Step 2. |
02. Restart your computer
The use of either the reset button or through powering it off and then returned on the usage of the energy button. Hopefully, Windows will begin generally and end putting in the updates.
I recognize which you’re probable explicitly told not to do that by means of the message on the display, however if the Windows replace set up is really frozen, you don’t have any different preference however to difficult-reboot.
| Tip: Depending on how Windows and BIOS/UEFI are configured, you would possibly need to maintain down the power button for several seconds earlier than the pc will turn off. On a tablet or pc, doing away with the battery can be important. Note: If you are using Windows 10 or Windows eight, and you’re taken to the signal-in screen after the restart, strive tapping or clicking the electricity icon on the bottom-proper and choosing Update and Restart, if available. |
If you’re automatically taken to the Advanced Boot Options or Startup Settings menu after restarting, pick out Safe Mode and notice the comments in Step three beneath.
03. Start Windows in Safe Mode.
This unique diagnostic mode of Windows best loads the minimum drivers and offerings that Windows virtually wishes, so if every other program or provider is conflicting with one of the Windows updates, the installation may end up simply satisfactory.
If the Windows updates do deploy successfully and you continue to Safe Mode, just restart from there to enter Windows typically.
04. Complete a System Restore to undo the modifications made thus far through the incomplete set up of the Windows updates.
Since you can not get entry to Windows generally, attempt doing this from Safe Mode. See the link in Step three if you’re no longer certain the way to start in Safe Mode.
| Note: During the System Restore, make sure to select the restore factor createdthrough Windows simply prior to the update set up. |
Assuming a repair point turned into made and System Restore is a success, your pc need to be returned to the nation it become in earlier than the updates commenced. If this problem befell after computerized updating, like what happens on Patch Tuesday, be sure to change Windows Update settings so this hassle does not reoccur on its very own.
05. Try System Restore from Advanced Startup Options (Windows 10 & eight) or System Recovery Options (Windows 7 & Vista) in case you’re not able to get admission to Safe Mode or if the repair failed from Safe Mode.
Since those menus of gear are to be had from “out of doors” of Windows, you can try this despite the fact that Windows is absolutely unavailable.
| important: System Restore is only to be had from outside of Windows in case you’re the usage of Windows 10, Windows eight, Windows 7, or Windows Vista. This choice isn’t always available in Windows XP. |
06. Start your computer’s “automated” restore procedure.
While a System Restore is a more direct manner of undoing changes, in this situation of a Windows replace, from time to time a greater comprehensive restore system is so as.
Windows 10 and Windows 8: Try a Startup Repair. If that doesn’t do the trick, strive the Reset This PC system (the non-damaging alternative, of path).
Windows 7 and Windows Vista: Try the Startup Repair method.
Windows XP: Try the Repair Install technique.
07. Test your computer’s memory.
It’s viable that failing RAM may be inflicting the patch installations to freeze. Fortunately, reminiscence is genuinely smooth to test.
08. Update BIOS.
An outdated BIOS isn’t a commonplace cause for this problem, but it’s viable.
If one or extra of the updates Windows is trying to install is involved with how Windows works together with your motherboard or other built-in hardware, a BIOS update should resolve the issue.
09. Clean installation Windows. A smooth deploy involves completely erasing the hard drive that Windows is set up on and then installing Windows once more from scratch on that identical tough power. Obviously you don’t need to do that if you don’t have to, but it’s a very in all likelihood fix if the stairs previous to this one have been unsuccessful.
| Note It might appear in all likelihood that reinstalling Windows, and then those same specific Windows updates, will motive the equal trouble, however that is not commonly what takes place. Since most lock-up problems resulting from updates through Microsoft are definitely software conflicts, a smooth set up of Windows, observed right away by way of the set up of all to be had updates, normally consequences in a wonderfully working computer. |
Please allow me recognise if you’ve had achievement escaping a hung Windows update set up the use of a method we do not have blanketed in the troubleshooting above. I’d be satisfied to consist of it here.