Fix Windows 11 Not Updating | 5 Proven Solutions [2024]

Written By Farhan Max

Updating Windows is crucial for a system to fix present bugs, glitches, security issues, and other system-related issues.

It also helps get Microsoft’s new features and functionality into the latest update.

fix-windows-11-not-updating

You try to start the Windows update procedure, but the system refuses to allow you to install the updates.

You might be confused and wondering how to get rid of the issue.

To ease that confusion, I researched and tested some optimal solutions to solve your windows 11 update problem on your system. Learn the best practical and effective techniques to solve your windows 11 update issue effectively; please stay with me throughout the post.

Grab a cup of tea or coffee, and enjoy while you read the post.

What is the Reason for Windows 11 not Updating?

Windows 11 is not updating because of corrupted system files, third-party antivirus applications, or outdated Windows update components. Also, unusual external storage devices and drives, outdated third-party drivers, or Device Manager errors are reasons for Windows 11 not updating.

Windows’ updating issue is pretty familiar for Windows users. Sometimes, the system creates a problem when users update the latest Windows.

Some common reasons create the Windows 11 updating issue on your system. After investigating and examining the problem, I will find some possible reasons for Windows 11 not updating issues on your computers.

This section will discuss these possible reasons to know more about the Windows 11 not updating issue on your computers.

Follow our guide on how to Fix Update Error Code 0x80004005 in Windows 11.

Here are the possible reasons for the Windows 11 not updating:

Corrupted System Files

The corrupted system files are common issues for the Windows 11 update process not working. When your system has corrupted files, it can create system updating issues.

The corrupted system files are the main culprit to prevent the system update process while you try to update your Windows 11 system.

Third-Party Antivirus Applications

A third-party antivirus program is another probable cause of the Windows 11 update process failing on your Windows PC.

Antivirus software that directly conflicts with the system process can cause the Windows 11 update issue.

Outdated Windows Update Components

Another significant reason for the Windows 11 update procedure not working is that the windows update components have become outdated.

The outdated windows component may create the windows update process stacked when the system tries to update the Windows.

Corrupted or Outdated Driver

The corrupted or outdated drivers cause the Windows 11 update process not to work.

If you do not keep your system drivers up to date, you may face the Windows 11 updating issue on your computer.

How to Fix Windows 11 Not Updating

So far, you’ve seen the potential reasons for the Windows 11 update issue on your Windows 11 machine, and in this section, I’ll show you various solutions to resolve the issue.

There are a few practical solutions to the problem of the Windows 11 upgrade not working. This section will walk you through some valuable methods for resolving your machine’s Windows 11 update error on your device.

Make sure your computer is connected to the internet before you begin. Then follow the instructions outlined below to resolve your problem.

Also, check out our separate post on how to find computer name on Windows 11.

You can also try the following solutions to fix your Windows Update issues on Windows 10 devices.

Let’s jump right into the main section to resolve the Windows 11 update issue.

Here are the steps to fix the Windows 11 not update:

1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Troubleshooting is one of the most straightforward and efficient methods for identifying and resolving problems. Any update issue on your Windows PC can be fixed using the Windows update troubleshooter.

So, to fix the  Windows 11 update issue on your PC, you can use the Windows Update troubleshooter.

Here are the steps to run Windows Update troubleshooter:

  • Click on the Start icon at the left side corner at the taskbar and select Settings app under the Pinned apps to open the System Settings.windows-11-settings
  • Press the Win + I keys on your keyboard to open the Windows System Settings Windows-system-settings
  • Select System 
  • Click on the Troubleshoot Troubleshoot
  • Choose Other troubleshooter’s Other-troubleshooter
  • Find the Windows Update troubleshoot option under the Most frequent
  • Click on the Run button to run the Windows Update Windows-update-troubleshoot
  • Wait for some time to detect and resolve the Windows Update issues automatically. detect-and-resolve
  • Troubleshooting is completed automatically after fixing the problems. completed-automatically
  • Close the troubleshooting window.
  • Try to update the windows again to see whether the problem is solved or not. If not, try the following solution.

Read more on how to disable SuperFetch on Windows 11.

2. Rename the Software Distribution Folders

Renaming the software distribution folders is another proven solution to the Windows update problem.

So, you can rename the software distribution folders to solve the Windows 11 update problem on your system.

Here are the steps to rename the software distribution folders:

  • Press Win + S on your keyboard or click on the Search icon on the left-side taskbar to open the Windows Search
  • Type cmd on the search bar and click on Run as Administrator. cmd-run-as-administration
  • Select Yes when the prompt window appears on the screen to open the Command Prompt as an administrator privilege.
  • Enter the following commands one by one after completing each one and hit the Enter key to execute the command:execute-the-command
    • net stop bits
    • net stop wuauserv
    • ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak
    • ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
    • net start bits
    • net start wuauserv
  • Close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer once you’ve finished all of these actions.
  • Try to update the windows again to see whether the problem is solved or not. If not, follow the next solution.

Follow our guide on how to Boot to safe mode in Windows 11.

3. Uninstall the Antivirus Software

One of the most common causes of the Windows 11 update difficulty while upgrading your windows is third-party antivirus software.

To solve the Windows 11 update issue, you need to uninstall the third-party antivirus software.

Here are the steps to uninstalling the antivirus application:

  • Press Windows Key + I on your keyboard to open the Windows System Settings App. Windows-system-settings
  • Click on the Start icon and select Settings app under the Pinned apps to open the System Settings. windows-11-settings
  • Select the Apps from the left side settings menu panel.
  • Click on the Apps & features option on the right side screen.apps-features-option-at-the-to
  • Scroll down and find your antivirus software.
  • Click on the three-dot menu and select the Uninstall button.
  • Click on the Uninstall button to confirm uninstalling the app.bitdefende-antivirus-uninstall
  • Try to update the windows again to see whether the problem is solved or not. If not, follow the next solution.

Check out our expert-recommended guide on how to enable Telnet on Windows 11.

4. Repair Hard Drive Errors

If your local disk has errors, it can create Windows 11 updates not working issues on your computer.

You can use the CHKDSK tool to check and correct drive faults that cause the Windows 11 update not working issue on your computer.

Here are the steps to run the CHKDSK tool:

  • Press Win+S on your keyboard to open the Windows Search panel and type cmd.
  • Click on the Run as administrator to open the Command Prompt as an admin privilege.cmd-run-as-administration
  • Type the chkdsk/f C command and hit the Enter key to start checking and solving the error process.source-drive
  • Wait until the CHKDSK process is finished.solving-the-error
  • Close the Command Prompt program and restart your computer.
  • Retry to update the windows again to see whether the problem is solved or not.
  • If the solution does not solve your problem, follow the next

5. Run the SFC & DISM Tool

System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) are practical tools to restore or repair corrupted system files on your Windows 11 system.

To fix the Windows 11 update not working issue on your computer, you can use these two tools.

Here are the steps to run the SFC and DISM tool:

  • Press the Win + S key on your keyboard to open the Windows Search panel.
  • Type cmd and click on Run as administrator to open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.cmd-run-as-administration
  • Type the sfc /scannow command and hit the Enter sfc-scannow
  • Wait until the system scan process is finished.
  • Type theexe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth command and hit the Enter key.Scanhealth
  • Wait a few minutes or more to complete the process.
  • Enter exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command, press the Enter key, and wait until complete.Restorehealth
  • Restart your computer after finishing the scan process.
  • Try to update the windows again to see whether the problem is solved.

Final Thoughts

After analyzing and examining the problem, I’ll find some possible reasons for Windows 11 not updating issues on your computer.

In this article, I discuss these possible reasons to understand completely.

Here, I demonstrate five proven and tested solutions to solve the Windows 11 not updating issues. You can successfully solve your problems quickly by applying these proven and tested methods.

If you find a solution, please let me know which strategy worked for you.

I hope this article is beneficial for you. If you’re interested in learning more about similar topics, you can also browse other posts.

About The Author
Farhan Max is a tech geek with a particular interest in computer hardware. He's been fascinated by gaming since childhood and is now completing his undergraduate studies while researching and testing the latest tech innovations. Alongside his love for all things geeky, Farhan is also a skilled photographer.

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