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Microsoft regularly releases Windows 11 updates that include the latest bug fixes, security enhancements, and new features. It is set to automatically download and install essential updates to keep your PC protected and remove nasty bugs that can affect Windows 11’s performance. You can also manually install Windows updates from Settings> Windows Update. However, you may sometimes notice that Windows updates get stuck and fail to complete the installation. User report, Windows 11 update is stuck at 0% for hours, or the Laptop is stuck on “updates are underway, please keep your computer on”. In this article, we discuss the Windows 11 KB5078883 Update Stuck issue and provide solutions to resolve it.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 updates can get stuck due to slow internet speeds, insufficient storage, or corrupted files, causing the ‘Windows 11 KB5078883 update stuck’ issue.
  • To fix this, restart Windows Update services, run the Windows Update troubleshooter, and check your internet connection.
  • If issues persist, clear the Windows Update cache and disable third-party antivirus programs before attempting updates again.
  • A clean boot can help eliminate potential conflicts with third-party services or applications during the update process.
  • If all else fails, switch to Google DNS or manually download updates from the Microsoft Update Catalogue.

Why Windows 11 KB5078883 update stuck

Multiple reasons cause Windows updates to stuck download or installation. Slow internet, delaying the download or lack of storage space on the system drive prevent Windows updates apply. Maybe some security software or firewall is blocking Windows updates or system files are corrupted, prevents new updates apply.

Whatever the reason, restarting the BITS and Windows Update services and running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter are very effective for fixing such problems. Ensure you are connected to a stable internet connection, disable any third-party security software, and disconnect your VPN before installing Windows updates on your computer.

Wait for the Windows update to complete

Slow internet speed may lead to Windows 11 update stuck download, therefore, we recommend keep your PC plugged in and leave it out of use for hours. Check if this completes the update download and installation process, and it’s pending for a restart to apply the changes.

The next thing we recommend is to disable third-party antivirus or uninstall it from your computer. Disconnect VPN, if configured on your computer, before checking for Windows updates.

In addition, check your internet speed at fast.com or speedtest.net. Run the ping command ping google.com -t and check continuously, getting ping reply or it breaks in between. If the ping reply breaks, you need to troubleshoot the internet connection.

Check Internet connectivity before starting any update, or try restarting your router or modem before downloading any updates again.

Ping command

There might be a Windows update searching for driver updates for your external devices, and it’s stuck checking or downloading. We recommend Disconnect all unnecessary peripheral devices and restart your computer.

Run Windows Update troubleshooter

Microsoft offers several built-in troubleshooters in Windows 11 that automatically diagnose and fix common system problems. Let’s run the Windows Update troubleshooter, which can help resolve issues during Windows 11 update downloads or installations.

  • Press the Windows key + X and select Settings
  • Go to the system, then Troubleshoot and select the Other troubleshooter option,
  • This will display a list of available troubleshooters
  • Now, click Run next to Windows Update to start diagnosing update issues on your operating system.
  • In case it finds any issues, it will fix the problems automatically.
  • Once the diagnosis process is complete, reboot your PC and check whether the Windows 11 update stuck issue is resolved.

Restart the Windows update service

Windows updates rely on the Windows update service and BITS service, which help distribute updates, fixes, and other types of releases available from Microsoft Update. If, for any reason, the Windows update service is stuck running or not started, it may fail to download Windows updates to your computer.

Make Sure Windows Update Service is Running

  • Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and click ok
  • Scroll down to locate the Windows update service.
  • Right-click on the Windows update service, select restart,
  • If the Windows update service not started, double-click on it to open its properties,
  • Here, change the startup type to automatic and start the service next to the service status.
  • Click Apply and OK to save changes.
  • Do the same for the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) and the Windows Modules Installer service.
  • Now, try installing Windows updates again and check whether they download and install successfully.

Clear Windows Update Cache

Sometimes, you may notice Windows Update downloads and installs successfully, but when you restart your PC to apply the changes, the Windows 11 update gets stuck on a restart loop. In such cases, we recommend wait 30 -60 minutes to complete the update. But if the Windows 11 update is stuck restarting, we recommend pressing the power button and restarting your PC. Follow the steps below to clear the update cache, which is probably very effective to bypass such situations.

Note: If Windows updates are stuck, install at startup. We recommend access advanced options and start Windows 11 safe mode. Then, follow the steps below.

  • Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and click ok
  • Locate the Windows Update service, right-click it, and select Stop. Do the same for the BITS service as well.
  • Now open File Explorer using Windows key + I and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
  • Here, delete all files and folders inside the download folder, press Ctrl + A to select all and hit the Delete button.
  • Don’t worry about these files these are temporary cache files. When you delete these files, the next time Windows updates, it downloads fresh ones.

This action also tries fixing the corrupted files by installing fresh updates.

  • Again, open Windows Services and start the Windows Update service and its related service, BITS.
  • Now open settings and navigate to Windows Update, check for updates again. Check if the problem Windows 11 update is stuck, 99% resolved.

Clean boot Windows 11

Sometimes, third-party services or apps conflict, causing Windows 11 updates stuck downloading. Clean boot Windows 11, then try updating again. Clean boot and start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs so you can determine whether a background program is interfering with Windows update downloads or installations.

  • Press Windows key + R, type msconfig and click ok.
  • Move to the services tab, check on Hide all Microsoft services and click Disable all
  • Now, move to the start-up tab and click on Open Task Manager
  • Here, under the Startup tab, right-click on any startup program you suspect might be interfering and select Disable.
  • Close the Task Manager, click ok to apply the changes, and reboot your PC
  • Now open Windows Update and hit the Check for Updates button.

Repair system files on Windows 11

The above solutions most probably fix Windows update problems, but still, if Windows 11 update is stuck at 0 or restarting, there might be problems with system files that prevent apply new Windows updates. Running the system file checker utility, scan and repair corrupted Windows files, is probably very helpful to fix Windows update problems.

Windows Update component is affected by some type of file corruption and result windows 11 update stuck

  • Press Windows key + S and type cmd, right-click on the command prompt, select run as Administrator,
  • Type sfc /scannow and press the Enter key to execute the command.
  • This will start scanning all protected system files and replace corrupted files with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder at %WinDir%\System32\dllcache
  • Let the scan complete to 100%. Once done, reboot your PC and try installing Windows updates again.

Note – If sfc scan is unable to repair some files, run the DISM restore health command.

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Switch to Google DNS

A few users report that changing the DNS server address helps them fix the problem “Windows 11 update fails to download”. If the above options fail to fix the problem, let’s change the DNS address following the steps below.

  • Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and click ok,
  • This will open the network connection window, right-click on the active network adapter, select properties,
  • Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on properties.
  • Now select the radio button, Use the following DNS server address and set the preferred DNS server to 8.8.8.8 and the alternate DNS server to 8.8.4.4.
  • Now, try to install Windows 11 updates again on your computer.

Download the Latest Update Manually

If you’re still having trouble installing the update, try downloading and installing Windows updates manually.

  • Go to the Microsoft Update Catalogue.
  • Type KB number of the security update on the search bar that was unfinished.
  • Save it and after downloading, run it as an administrator.

In addition, make sure that you have enough space to accommodate the pending Windows update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Windows update stuck on 100% downloading?

It may be slow internet connection delaying the download or corrupted system files preventing Windows update download and result Windows updates stuck. Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter and flushing the update cache helps fix such problems.

How can I fix the Windows Update not working on Windows 11?

Make sure the Windows update service is running, run the update troubleshooter, free up disk space and most importantly, check your device is connected to a stable Internet to download update files from the Microsoft server.

Why is the Windows Update taking so long?

Slow internet to large size of update files or slow Windows performance are some common reasons why Windows updates take so long.

What does Windows Update Troubleshooter do?

Its built-in tool helps users fix common Windows update errors without losing data.

Why are Windows updates not showing?

Make sure the Windows update service is running and your device is connected to a stable internet connection.

Also read:

Steve Ballmer
With over 7 years of experience in the IT industry, I have experience in IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. Certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.

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