How to Resolve Windows Update Problems

If you are a Windows 10 users, you might be constantly receiving updates, some big and some small, usually without a hitch. However, in some cases few problems might arise like it failed download and installation problem. When such problems arise, the download getting stuck, the update refusing to install, or the system being caught up in a restart loop.

Before beginning any troubleshooting steps, ensure that there’s definitely a problem with Windows Update. This will sound silly if your update refuses to download or gets stuck in a reboot loop — in these scenarios there’s definitely a problem, so try the help below. But if you’re looking at a progress bar of the download that appears to be stuck, give it some time, especially if you’re on a Wi-Fi connection.

windows update stuck

Windows Update Troubleshooter

This is the first step that you should take. The Windows Update Troubleshooter will automatically run a scan, will detect and resolve the problems that have arisen due to Windows Update. Most of the times, it works. When your problem is said to be resolved by Windows Update Troubleshooter, close it and then reboot your computer to check the issue again.

Clear Updates Download Folder

If your download is getting stuck during download or refuses to install, it might be that something went wrong with the file itself. Clearing the folder where all of the update files are stored will force Windows Update to download afresh, which can help resolve any problems.

 First, press Windows key + R to open Run.      Input C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and click OK to launch to the folder. Now you need to delete everything within the folder, but do not delete the folder itself. To do so, press CTRL + A to select everything and then press Delete to remove the files.

updates download folder

Disable Your Anti-virus

Normally, your anti-virus software shouldn’t interfere with the update process, but there have been reports that temporarily disabling it can solve problems. Each anti-virus will have its own method of disabling it, so load it up and turn it off. If you can’t see where to do this, explore the Settings or Options area. Alternatively, right-click the icon in your system tray and you may find the option to disable it there.

Disconnect Drives and VPNs

Try to disconnect all the DVD drive and SD card reader from your computer. Safely remove them by disabling them. Also, disable the VPN services if you receive errors like 0x80200056 and 0x800F0922.

Use the Media Creation Tool

If none of the above methods have worked, you should give Media Creation Tool a try. Media Creation Tool will create an installation file of Windows 10 and will try to upgrade by using a different method. Before you do this, it advised that you create a backup of all the critical files and folders. Follow the steps given below to use the Media Creation Tool. Step 1: Go to Microsoft’s ‘Get Windows 10′ page. Step 2: Click on “Download tool now’ tab. Step 3: Save the file and then open it. Step 4: Accept the terms and conditions. Step 5: Click on ‘Upgrade this PC now’ and then click on ‘Next’. Step 6: Click on ‘Install’.

Best Free Download Managers

Download managers are special programs and browser extensions that help keep large downloads downloading as they should and simultaneous ones organized. Here are several completely free download managers and music downloaders that you’ll like:

Free Download Manager 

Free Download Manager is a powerful, easy-to-use and absolutely free download accelerator and manager. Moreover, FDM is 100% safe, open-source software distributed under GPL license.
Free Download Manager can boost all your downloads up to 10 times, process media files of various popular formats, drag&drop URLs right from a web browser as well as simultaneously download multiple files

Internet Download Manager

Internet Download Manager is a tool to increase download speeds by up to 5 times, resume and schedule downloads. Comprehensive error recovery and resume capability will restart broken or interrupted downloads due to lost connections, network problems, computer shutdowns, or unexpected power outages.

EagleGet

EagleGet is a free all-in-one download manager; it supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, MMS and RTSP protocol as well as popular online video websites. EagleGet can be integrated to Chrome, IE, Firefox, Opera, and uses multi-threaded technology to boost downloads.

Screenshot of EagleGet

Download Accelerator Plus

Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) 10 is Speedbit’s fastest and most comprehensive download accelerator to date. Redesigned and rebuilt from top to bottom, the new DAP 10 platform consists of the core DAP acceleration engine, now streamlined and optimized for powerful efficiency and ease of use. 

Screenshot of Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) in Windows 8

JDownloader

JDownloader is a free, open-source download management tool with a huge community of developers that makes downloading as easy and fast as it should be. Users can start, stop or pause downloads, set bandwith limitations, auto-extract archives and much more. It’s an easy-to-extend framework that can save hours of your valuable time.

Screenshot of JDownloader 2 in Windows 8

How to Clean and Speed up Your Windows Computer

Over time, computers slow down. Of course aging hardware plays a part, but for most people, a more common cause is poor operating system maintenanceHere’s the ultimate checklist for cleaning your Windows computer.

Delete Unused Software

The first step is removing all the old software you no longer use. If you’re not a “diligent deleter,” you’ll be amazed at how much unnecessary stuff you have installed on your machine.

To see all the apps on your computer, go to Start > Settings > Apps > Apps and features. Scroll down the list and click Uninstall on anything you don’t need.

Clearly, you need to exercise a touch of caution. Don’t just get rid of stuff you don’t recognize — run a Google search first to ensure it’s safe to delete!

Clean up the Disk

To run Disk Cleanup, either type the program’s name in the Start Menu or go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Disk Cleanup.

The best Disk Cleanup software I’ve ever use are Ccleaner and Glary Disk Cleaner.

CCleaner is the number-one tool for cleaning your PC. It protects your privacy and makes your computer faster and more secure!

Glary Disk Cleaner is a freeware with registry and disk cleaning, privacy protection, performance accelerator and amazing multifunctional tools. It can fix dogged registry errors, wipe off clutters, optimize internet speed, safeguard confidential files and maintain maximum performance.

Run Antivirus Software

You should also run your antivirus software. One of the most common causes of slow computers is viruses. There are many good antivirus software, like Malwarebytes, rather than focusing on viruses, its primary goal is protecting users against the latest trojans, backdoors, adware, and spyware.

Defragment the Hard Drive

In Windows 10, the operating system runs disk defragmentation when it senses it is required. However, as we’re doing a thorough clean of your computer, it would be remiss not to run it manually.

You can find the Defragment and Optimize Drives tool by running a search or by going to Control Panel > Administrative Tools.

Optimize Windows Drivers

Refresh Your Startup List

Any seasoned Windows user knows that the operating system lags way behind macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux when it comes to boot times. Typically, the problem is caused by the number of programs Windows tries to launch when it first starts. The majority of them are unnecessary.

Windows Task Manager Start-up Items

To clean your startup list, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager. On the new window, click More Details, then choose the Startup tab at the top of the screen.

You should now be looking at all the apps Windows tries to run at boot. To disable an app, highlight the appropriate row and click Disable.

Clean the AppData Folder

When you uninstall an app, you’ll often find remnants of its former presence dotted around your machine. One of the most common locations is the AppData folder.

By default, the folder is hidden. You can find it at C:\Users\[Username]\AppData or by typing %AppData% into Windows search.

Remove Old Program Files

The other place you’ll often find trace elements of old apps’ files is in the Program Files folders.

On most machines, there are two Program Files folders. You can find them at C:\Program Filesand C:\Program Files (x86).

As with the AppData folder, work through the contents of each folder carefully and delete any files and folders that are no longer in use.

Clean the Registry

Registry Repair is the most efficient registry cleaning software to fix registry problems. It works with all Windows Operating Systems and scans Windows Registry quickly with comprehensive analysis.