How to Resolve Windows 10 Won’t Update?

Windows 10 is the most advanced Operating System. However, when it comes to the top ten Windows 10 issues, Windows 10 won’t update surely rank in the number one position. Once this issue occurs on your Windows PC, then you can not be able to update any applications.

However, this is a common issue and you can troubleshoot it quickly. For that, you need to follow a proper strategy. Therefore, if you face this trouble and want to overcome it, then you have just arrived at the right article.

Have a look at the rest of the article as here we are going to discuss some easy and effective solutions which will surely assist you to resolve the trouble quickly.

Root Causes of Windows 10 Won’t Update Issue:

If you encounter the Windows 10 won’t update issue for the first time, then you might want to know why won’t Windows 10 update issue occurs. Here, for your help, we have highlighted some of the common causes of this issue. So, check them out.

  1. If you have a weak internet connection, then most of the time for this cause, you might encounter this problem on your system.
  2. Sometimes, due to the corrupt system files, this issue might irritate you.
  3. In case, you have not updated your Operating System for a long time, then sometimes for this, you can face the Windows won’t update issue.

These are some of the common causes. Now, have a look at the remaining part to fix the issue within a flicker of time.

Solutions you can try to Fix the Windows 10 Won’t Update Issue:

There are several methods that you can try to troubleshoot the issue, here we have listed some of them.

Solution 1- Check the Internet Connectivity

At first, we suggest you check your internet connectivity before going through the complicated procedure. As we have said earlier that if you have a weak internet connection, then this can lead to this won’t update issue. So, make sure that you have a strong internet connection, if not, then switch to a new service that offers you better speed, than the previous one.

Then, reboot your machine and if you fail to resolve the issue, then here is another alternative for you.

Solution 2- Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

In case, the above solution does not work for you, then we advise you to run the Windows Update troubleshooter. Then, check whether the issue has been resolved.  Well, applying this solution is not a difficult task. Here are the steps that you need to follow to apply this solution on your computer.

Step 1

In the beginning, you have to navigate the Start Menu. From there, navigate to the Control Panel.

Step 2

Once the Control Panel window opens, then navigate to the Icons option. Next, a new page will appear on the screen. From there, you should drop down and click on the Troubleshooting option.

Step 3

Next, you have to click on the View all option which is located in the top left corner of the page. Thereafter, you need to tap on the Windows Update option. Thereafter, click on the Next option. Then, read the instructions and click on the OK button to save the changes.

Finally, reboot your machine and if you fail to troubleshoot the Windows 10 won’t update issue this time as well, then proceed to the next solution.

Solution 3-  Use the System Restore and Uninstall the Bad Update

If still, the Windows update is not working, then the best way to resolve the issue is to use the System Restore. In order to apply this solution to your system, you need to go through the undermentioned steps.

Step 1

At first, you should open the Start menu from the Taskbar which might locate at the bottom of the screen.

Step 2

Next, you have to click on the Settings option to open it. After that, a new page will appear on the screen. From there, you should search for the Update & Security option. Once, you found it, then click on it.

Step 3

After that, a new page will pop up on the screen. Here, you should tap on the Update History option. Then, check out the last successful update which is installed on your Windows 10.

Step 4

When you click on the Update History option, then you can see a list of installed applications on your system. On that page, you can see the Uninstall Updates option at the top of the page. Then, click on that.

Step 5

Now, when you click on the Uninstall Update option, then a new window might appear on the screen. This means that the new updates are installed on the computer.

Then, again reboot your system. If you are still dealing with the Windows 10 won’t update issue, then look at the next solution.

Solution 4- Delete all the Files from the Software Distribution Folder

If none of the above-given methods work for you, then we suggest you delete all the files from the software distribution folder. A lot of users complained that they face this problem. Once they remove the files from the software distribution folder, you can fix the problem on your own. To apply this solution on your device, in the beginning, you have to open the Run dialog box. For that, you should press the Windows + R keys together. Now, take a look below.

  1. Once the Run dialog box opens, then type ‘services.msc’ within the required field. Then, hit the Enter button.
  2. Now, it will lead you to the Service window. Here, you should locate the Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Then, right-click on it and choose Stop option from the available menu.
  3. Apply the same procedure for the Windows Update services. Once, you successfully disabled all the services, then navigate to the ‘C: WindowsSoftwareDistribution’ directory.
  4. Then, you have to select all the files within the Software Distribution Folder and click on the OK button.
  5. Then, you should again go back to the Service window. After that, you need to start both the Windows Update as well as Background Intelligent Transfer Services.

Alternatively, if you want to apply this solution with the help of the Command Prompt, then here are the steps that you need to follow.

Step 1

In the beginning, you need to open the Command Prompt as administrator. To do so, you should press the Windows + X keys and select Command Prompt from the available option.

Step 2

Now, when the Command Prompt window opens, then type the following command and hit the Enter key after every command.

  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver
  • ren C: WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
  • ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 catroot2.old
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start cryptSvc
  • net start bits
  • net start msiserver
  • pause
  • Exit

Once you have successfully run all the commands, the Windows 10 won’t update should be resolved and everything will be started normally.

Solution 5- Change the DNS

If none of the methods work for you, then here is another alternative for you. Sometimes, default DNS might create some trouble for you. In such cases, you have to change the DNS settings. In order to do so, have a look at the following steps.

Step 1

In the beginning, you should right-click on the network icon which is located on the bottom right corner. Then, select the Network and Sharing Centre option.

Step 2

Now, a new page will pop up on the screen. From there, you should drop down and click on the Change adapter settings option. Next, find out your network connection. Once you found it, then you need to right-click on it and tap on the Properties option.

Step 3

Next, click on the  Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and after that, tap on the Properties option.

Step 4

Thereafter, a new page will show on the screen. Here, you need to select the use the following DNS server addresses. Now, type 8.8.8.8 as your preferred DNS server and enter 8.8.4.4 as an alternate DNS server. Then, click on the OK button to take the effect of the changes.

Finally, exit from the page and reboot your machine. After that, this Windows issue will not create trouble for you anymore. However, if you are still unable to fix the problem, then look at the next solution.

Solution 6- Launch into the Safe Mode

So, are you still dealing with the Windows 10 won’t update issue? Don’t panic here is another solution to your rescue. Multiple users reported that they face the same problem and once they launch their device into the Safe Mode, they quickly troubleshoot the problem. This is a very easy procedure. So, you should try it out. Once you have successfully turned on your device into the Safe Mode, then undo the recent changes before bringing your device back to the Normal mode. Then, check if the issue has been resolved or not.

Solution 7-  Disable the Windows Firewall

This is another alternative that you can try to fix the problem. To apply this method on your system, at first, go to the Home Screen of your device and type ‘Control panel’ within the search field and hit the OK button. Once, the Control Panel window is opened, then select System and Security option from the available option.

After that, a new page will pop up on the screen. From there, you should select the Windows Firewall option. Thereafter, you need to select the Turn Windows Firewall on or off which is located on the left side screen of the page.

Next, you should mark the dialog box which is located beside the Turn off Windows Firewall option. Then, reboot your machine again and now the update issue will not irritate you anymore.

Solution 8- Disable the Proxy Settings

In case, you are still dealing with the Windows 10 won’t update issue, then we suggest you disable the proxy settings. For that, you have to go through the undermentioned steps.

Step 1

At first, navigate to the web browser and click on the browser toolbar. Next, you need to tap on the Settings option.

Step 2

Next, you should click on the Advanced option. Thereafter, move to the System section and click on the Open proxy settings option. Now, the Internet Properties window will appear on the screen.

Step 3

Then, click on the Local Area Network (LAN) settings and under this section, you should scroll down below and click on the LAN Settings option. Next, go to the Automatic configuration option and unmark the box next to the Automatically detect settings option. Also, you should unmark the box which is located beside the Use a proxy server for your LAN option.

Next, you should tap on the OK button and reboot your computer. Now surely you overcome the Windows 10 won’t update trouble.

That’s it. We wrap up the discussion. Also, we believe these above solutions are sufficient to fix the problem, However, if you have any doubt, then we recommend you not to waste your time and take expert’s help.

Nathaniel Villa
Nathaniel Villa