[Error Solved] We Could Not Complete the Install Because an Update Service was Shutting Down

Windows operating system is one of the most reliable operating systems whether you use it for domestic or professional uses. Microsoft keeps releasing security updates, feature updates, and software patches for a seamless experience. 

Windows 10 secured an automatic update feature so that no user missed any update. However, the automatic update feature of Windows 10 can fail from time to time. 

You might come across a message that says, ‘We could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down’. If this message flashes on your Windows device, then it means that your device is missing the required updates.

Using outdated security systems is not a good sign. However, this error can prevent your Windows OS from getting the latest security updates. Damaged system files, time and date incompatibility, erroneous program records, recently installed applications, and malware attacks can trigger such a consequence. 

Let’s check how you can resume the Windows updates and rectify the error.

Restart Update Services on your Windows Device

The error message, ‘We could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down’, might be flashing for the first time. If yes, then you can simply restart the Windows Update Services. This will eradicate the glitch associated with the entire update system. 

Here’s what you need to do to restart the service:

  1. Use the keyboard shortcut of Win+R to launch a Run utility.
  2. Enter ‘services.msc’ in the Run utility and click the OK button. This will open up the Services window on your Windows PC.
  3. Scroll down and find the Windows Update service. This service plays the most significant role in installing Windows 10 updates.
  4. Right-click on the service that says Windows Update. A pop-up menu appears, and you have to select Properties.
  5. In the General tab, keep the Startup type as Automatic.
  6. You can hit the Start button. Click the Apply and OK buttons, respectively, to confirm your changes.

Now, you should restart your Windows 10 PC. Go to Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update> Check for Updates to check if it can install updates.

Remove Third-Party Antivirus Software

You might have strengthened your PC’s security through reputed, third-party antivirus software. But, it might block the installation of the latest Windows updates. And, you are experiencing the error, ‘We could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down’. 

Uninstall that specific third-party antivirus software:

  1. Launch the Control Panel.
  2. Click on the Programs section. Choose the ‘Uninstall a program’ option.
  3. Now, you need to find the third-party antivirus from the list.
  4. Right-click on the same antivirus program. Choose the Uninstall option from the pop-up menu.

Once done, you can restart your computer and check if your Windows device can run updates.

Take Help of the Built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter

Here’s another workaround for the ‘We could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down’ error. You can rely on the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter and eliminate the error related to updating installation. 

Here’s how you can run the troubleshooter:

  1. Press the Windows+I key shortcut to launch the System Settings.
  2. Go to the Update & Security section.
  3. Select the Troubleshoot option from the left pane.
  4. Afterwards, click on Additional Troubleshooters from the right pane.
  5. Then, you have to click the Windows Update option.
  6. Opt for the ‘Run the troubleshooter’ option and follow the on-screen instructions for successful riddance from the error message.

Give the Windows Update Components a Manual Reset

System file corruption is one of the major reasons behind the ‘We could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down’ message. 

Even when you have checked Windows updates manually and still couldn’t achieve an update, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the search bar using the magnifying glass icon.
  2. Type in cmd on the Search bar, and Command Prompt should appear on the results list.
  3. Run the Command Prompt with admin rights.
  4. Confirm with a click on the Yes button of the UAC prompt.
  5. Now, you have to run all the following commands one by one in the Command Prompt window:
    1. net stop bits
    2. net stop wuauserv
    3. net stop appidsvc
    4. net stop cryptsvc
  6. Make sure that you press Enter each time you run a command. Additionally, you have to run the following command: Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat”. Don’t forget to press the Enter key.
  7. This will ask for your affirmation. Press Y to confirm your choice.
  8. Next, you need to rename two folders – SoftwareDistribution and catroot2. Use the following commands to perform the task:
    1. sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
    2. sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)

Furthermore…

You need to go to the System32 directory with the execution of the following command: cd / d %windir%\system32. Now, it’s necessary to re-register DLL files and BITS files for the Windows Update Service. 

Execute the following commands one by one:

  • regsvr32.exe atl.dll
  • regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
  • regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
  • regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
  • regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
  • regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
  • regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
  • regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
  • regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
  • regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
  • regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
  • regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
  • regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
  • regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
  • regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
  • regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
  • regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
  • regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
  • regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
  • regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
  • regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
  • regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
  • regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wups.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
  • regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
  • regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
  • regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
  • regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll

After that, you can restart the necessary services with the help of the following two command lines:

  • netsh winsock reset
  • netsh winsock reset proxy

Finally, it’s the turn to restart the services with the commands below:

  • net start bits
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start appidsvc
  • net start cryptsvc
  • Exit

You can now reboot your computer.

Additional Workarounds

If you’re still viewing the ‘We could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down’ error, then scan for malware. If nothing improves your experience, then look for expert intervention.

Wilson
Wilson