Microsoft regularly releases Windows updates with the latest bug fixes and security enhancements. Recently the company has released the “Windows 11 23H2 update” with a number of new features and improvements. Get the latest Windows updates installed on your PC is easy and quicker just navigate settings than Windows update and hit check for updates. If new updates are available allow them to download and install on your PC. But sometimes you may notice Windows 11 Update Stuck at 100% Downloading. Users report everything was fine until the Windows update download reached 100%. It is constantly consuming my data but stuck at 100% download. There are multiple reasons cause Windows updates stuck at downloading, Here is how to past this issue and successfully upgrade your OS.
How to Fix Windows 11 Update Stuck?
Slow internet speed, corrupted system files, Lack of storage space or third-party antivirus or Proxy server blocking are some common reasons behind this problem.
- Running the Windows update troubleshooter is one of the most effective ways to fix the problem.
- You need to ensure your PC is connected to working internet, disconnect VPN, and disable third-party antivirus.
- Check and make sure the Windows update service is running, Free up system storage, and clear the update cache folder is one of the most working solutions to fix such problems.
- In addition, run the system file checker tool sfc /scannow to repair system files that may prevent Windows update installation on your PC.
There’s a possibility that the update process is still undergoing in the background, wait a few more minutes before apply any solutions.
Check internet connection
Your PC needs a stable working internet connection to download Windows updates from the Microsoft server. If you are connected to a WiFi network check the signal or take your laptop closer to the Router.
Check your internet speed at fast.com or speedtest.net, if the download and upload speed is slower than usual you need to reboot your Router or contact ISP.
In addition press the Windows key + R, type ping google.com -t and click ok, Now check if continuously getting ping replay from the Google server, if it breaks between you need to troubleshoot the internet connection first.
If you are sure there is no problem with the internet connection, then reboot your PC and try to install the Windows update again. When you restart your PC it will refresh the operating system, restart all running programs and clear temporary glitches that may prevent Windows update download or install on your PC.
Also disconnect all external devices connected, such as a pen drive, card reader, printer, microphone, speaker, etc, and try install the update again.
Restart the Windows Update
Windows update service and its related services must be running to get the latest Windows updates to download and install on your PC. If for any reason Windows update service is stuck running or not running you may experience problems installing Windows updates. Let’s check and restart the Windows update service and retry to install the Windows 11 updates again.
- Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and click ok
- Scroll down to locate the Windows update service, right-click on it select restart,
- If the service not running, right-click on Windows Update select properties,
- Here change the startup type automatic and start the service next to the service status.
- Now click apply and ok to save changes.
Do the same with Background Intelligent Transfer Service and Cryptographic Services.
Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
Let’s Run the built-in Windows update Troubleshooter, help you fix your issues with Windows Update and restart the process.
- Press the Windows key + I to open the settings app,
- Go to the system then troubleshoot and click on other troubleshooters
- This will display a list of available troubleshooters, locate Windows update then click Run next to it,
The troubleshooter will run and attempt to identify if any problems exist that prevent your computer from downloading and installing Windows Updates.
- The troubleshooter attempt to clear Windows update related temp files.
- Clear the contents of the software distribution folder,
- Check the status of Windows updates and related services
- Repair and reset Windows update components, and check for pending updates.
Delete Windows Update Cache
If for some reason, the Windows update database gets corrupted with bogus files it may result Windows update is stuck at 100 percent. Usually running the update troubleshooter try to resolve such problems automatically, if not try to clear the update cache manually by following the steps below.
- Press the Windows key + E to open the File Explorer menu,
- Navigate C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and open the download folder,
- Here delete all files and folders, to do so press Ctrl + A to select all then hit Del key,
- Also, Delete all files and folders from DataStore.
- Restart your PC and try updating your PC again.
Repair system files
If for any reason, system files are corrupted or missing you may experience problems installing Windows updates. Run the DISM restore health and system file checker command that help scan and replace corrupted system files.
- Press Windows key + S and type cmd, right-click on the command prompt select run as administrator,
- First, run the DISM restore health command DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
- Next, run the system file checker command sfc /scannow
- The above command scans all protected system files, and replaces corrupted files with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder at %WinDir%\System32\dllcache.
- Once the scanning is complete 100% restart your PC and try to install Windows updates again.
Free up storage space
Lack of storage space on the system drive is another common reason why Windows 11 update is stuck downloading. Windows updates need storage space to download the update files from the Microsoft server before apply them. If your system drives (usually its C drive) is almost full it may result in stuck downloading.
You can run the Storage Sense tool to free up space with a single click
- Press the Windows key + I to open the settings
- Navigate the system then storage
- Click on Cleanup recommendations and delete temporary files from the same menu.
Close unnecessary apps and services to free up RAM
- Right-click on the Windows key and open Task Manager.
- Check memory consumption. Select irrelevant processes and hit End task.
Check for virus or malware infection
Corrupt and malicious files on your Windows PC may interfere with the system upgrade process. You can use the Windows Security app to find and remove such bogus files. Also, you can prefer to thrid party antivirus to perform a full system scan and remove viruses or malware infection.
Switch Google DNS
Few users report changing the DNS server on their PC helps them fix the Windows 11 update stuck download problem.
- Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and click ok
- This will open the network connections window, right click on active network adapter select properties,
- Select Internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on properties,
- Here select use the following DNS server address, and set preferred DNS server 8.8.8.8, Alternate DNS server 8.8.4.4.
Now open Windows update and check for updates again.
Install Windows updates on Clean boot
Start Windows 11 clean boot state that start your PC with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, so that you can determine whether a background program is interfering with the Windows update.
- Press Windows key + R, type msconfig and click ok
- This will open the system configuration window, Move to the startup tab
- Here check mark on Hide all Microsoft services, then click on Disable all
- Now move to the startup tab then click on open task manager
- Here disable all startup app that impacts high at startup
- Close task manager, click apply then ok to close the system configuration window and reboot your PC.
- When Windows 11 start clean boot state, open Windows settings, navigate to Windows update then hit check for updates.
In addition, Press the Windows key + R, type Firewall.cpl to open Windows Defender Firewall, and click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off option on the left. And select the Turn Off Windows Defender Firewall option under both Private network settings and Public network settings.
Manually install Windows 11 update
If the above solutions fail to fix the problem, still Windows 11 update is stuck downloading try installing the update manually.
- First, note down the Windows update Knowledge Base reference number (KB number). For example, KB5030219.
- Next, Go to Microsoft Update Catalog, and search for the update number
- Click the Download button for the version of Windows 11 you are using.
- A pop-up window will appear after the download button is triggered. Click on the .msu file to download it.
- You can double-click a .msu file to manually install the update manually and a system reboot is required to finish the installation.
FAQ:
Why Is My Update Download Stuck at 100?
It’s probably due to a slow or unstable internet connection that prevents downloading Windows updates from the Microsoft server.
How to fix Windows update problems?
Running the Windows update troubleshooter is one of the most effective ways to fix Windows update problems on your computer. Again make sure the update service is running, or clear the update cache files on the software distribution folder.
What is the importance of Windows updates?
Microsoft regularly drops Windows updates that include the latest bug fixes and security improvements that enhance the computing experience or improve the performance of the Windows components.
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