Windows Update Is Stuck on Working on Updates

Windows Update is an important part of Windows 11 and Windows 10 because it delivers security updates, quality improvements, driver updates, and new features. Most updates install automatically in the background, but sometimes the process can appear to stop.

You may see a message such as “Working on updates”, “Working on updates. Don’t turn off your computer”, or a similar message for a very long time. The percentage may remain unchanged, or Windows may appear to be stuck while restarting.

This does not always mean that Windows Update has completely failed. Some updates take considerable time to finish, especially when Windows is installing a large feature update or making changes to system files. However, if there has been no visible progress for an unusually long period, troubleshooting may be necessary.

In this guide, we will go through several steps, the most important step at first.

Windows Update Is Stuck on Working on Updates

If Windows Update is stuck on “Working on updates”, first wait to make sure the update is genuinely frozen. If there is no progress for a long time, restart Windows only when it is safe to do so. Then run the Windows Update Troubleshooter, check your internet connection, restart Windows Update services, clear the SoftwareDistribution cache, repair Windows system files with DISM and SFC, and try Windows Update again. These steps can resolve corrupted update files and common Windows Update problems.

Let’s explore the steps and fixes in detail!

Step 1: Give Windows Update Enough Time [Most Important Step]

Before changing anything, give Windows Update some time to complete.

This is particularly important if the computer is displaying “Working on updates” immediately after downloading a large update. Windows may be installing files, configuring system components, removing older update files, or completing other background tasks.

Do not assume that the computer is frozen simply because the percentage has not changed for several minutes.

If the computer is still showing signs of activity, such as the storage activity light flashing or the system occasionally changing screens, allow the process to continue.

For a major Windows update, waiting 30 minutes to an hour or longer may sometimes be appropriate, depending on the computer’s hardware and the size of the update.

However, if the same screen remains unchanged for a very long time and there are clear signs that the process is no longer progressing, continue with the next steps.

Step 2: Check Whether Windows Is Actually Responding

Sometimes Windows appears stuck even though the system itself is still responding.

If you can move the mouse, try moving the pointer around the screen. If the keyboard is responding, you can also try pressing the Caps Lock key and checking whether its indicator changes.

Do not repeatedly press the Power button during an update.

If Windows is completely unresponsive and there has been no progress for an extended period, you may eventually need to force the computer to shut down. Hold the Power button until the computer turns off.

Wait a few seconds and then turn it back on.

Windows may automatically continue, undo the update, or perform startup repair. Allow Windows to complete whichever process it begins.

Step 3: Disconnect Unnecessary External Devices

External hardware can occasionally interfere with Windows updates.

If Windows is stuck during startup or while applying an update, disconnect unnecessary devices such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, card readers, printers, and other USB accessories.

Keep essential devices such as your keyboard, mouse, monitor, and power connection attached.

Then restart the computer if Windows is not progressing.

Removing unnecessary hardware is especially useful when an external device has an outdated driver or is causing Windows to wait during startup.

Step 4: Check Your Internet Connection

If you can successfully return to the Windows desktop, check your internet connection.

Windows Update needs a reliable internet connection to download update files. An unstable connection can cause an update to remain pending or fail while downloading additional components.

Open your web browser and visit a few normal websites.

If websites do not load correctly, restart your router or reconnect your computer to Wi-Fi.

If possible, use a reliable wired connection during large updates. Once the internet connection is working properly, return to Windows Update and check for updates again.

Step 5: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows includes a troubleshooting tool that can automatically identify some common Windows Update problems.

Open Settings from the Start menu.

In Windows 11, select System, then select Troubleshoot, followed by Other troubleshooters.

Find Windows Update and select Run.

Allow Windows to examine the update components. The troubleshooter may detect incorrect settings, stopped services, or other common problems and attempt to fix them automatically.

When the troubleshooting process finishes, restart your computer if Windows recommends it.

Then open Windows Update and select Check for updates.

Step 6: Make Sure You Have Enough Free Storage

A lack of storage space can prevent Windows Update from completing.

Open Settings, select System, and then open Storage.

Check how much free space is available on the drive where Windows is installed. In most computers, this is the C: drive.

If the drive is nearly full, remove unnecessary temporary files, old downloads, or other files you no longer need.

You can also use Storage Sense to automatically clean certain temporary files.

After creating enough free space, restart Windows and try Windows Update again.

Step 7: Restart Windows Update Services

Windows Update relies on several background services. If one of these services becomes stuck, restarting it can sometimes solve the problem.

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

Type services.msc and press Enter.

The Services window will appear. Find Windows Update in the list.

Right-click it and select Restart if that option is available. If the service is stopped, select Start.

Also check related services such as Background Intelligent Transfer Service, commonly called BITS.

Right-click Background Intelligent Transfer Service and restart it if necessary.

Close the Services window and try Windows Update again.

Step 8: Clear the Windows Update Cache

Windows stores downloaded update files in a temporary update cache. If these files become corrupted, Windows Update may repeatedly get stuck.

This step requires stopping the Windows Update services before removing the cached files.

Open Command Prompt as administrator. To do this, search for Command Prompt from the Start menu, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.

Stop the Windows Update service and BITS service using the appropriate commands.

After the services are stopped, open File Explorer and navigate to the Windows Update download cache located inside the SoftwareDistribution folder.

You can remove the contents of the Download folder rather than deleting the entire SoftwareDistribution folder.

Then return to the elevated Command Prompt and start the Windows Update services again.

Restart the computer and check for updates.

Windows will recreate the necessary cache files as it downloads new updates.

Step 9: Repair Windows System Files

If Windows system files have become corrupted, they can interfere with Windows Update.

Windows provides two useful repair tools called DISM and System File Checker, or SFC.

Open Command Prompt as administrator.

First, run the DISM repair command. Allow it to finish completely. It may appear to pause at certain percentages, so do not close the window simply because the progress seems slow.

After DISM finishes, run the SFC scan.

SFC checks protected Windows system files and attempts to replace damaged versions with correct copies.

Once both operations have finished, restart the computer.

Then open Windows Update and check for updates again.

Step 10: Temporarily Check Third-Party Security Software

Some third-party antivirus or security applications can occasionally interfere with Windows Update.

If you have installed third-party security software, check whether it has an update or troubleshooting option related to Windows Update.

Do not permanently disable your security protection just to install an update.

Windows includes Microsoft Defender for protection, so if you need to troubleshoot a conflict with third-party antivirus software, follow the security application’s official instructions for temporarily changing its protection settings.

After troubleshooting, make sure your computer remains protected.

Step 11: Perform a Clean Restart and Try Again

If Windows Update continues to fail, a background application may be interfering with the update process.

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs.

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.

Open the Services tab and carefully select Hide all Microsoft services. This is important because disabling Microsoft services unnecessarily can cause other Windows features to stop working.

You can then review third-party services and startup applications that may be interfering with Windows Update.

Restart Windows and try the update again.

After troubleshooting, return the system to its normal startup configuration.

Step 12: Try Windows Update Again

After completing the previous repairs, open Settings and go to Windows Update.

Select Check for updates.

If Windows finds an update, allow it to download and install.

Keep the computer connected to power, especially if you are using a laptop.

Avoid shutting down the computer while Windows is actively installing the update unless the system is genuinely frozen and there is no other option.

If the update completes successfully, restart the computer and check Windows Update once more to make sure there are no remaining pending updates.

FAQs

Why is Windows stuck on “Working on updates”?

Windows can appear stuck because an update is taking longer than expected, update files are corrupted, system files are damaged, there is insufficient storage, or an update service is not working correctly.

How long should I wait when Windows says “Working on updates”?

There is no single time that applies to every computer. A major update can take considerably longer than a normal update. If there is no visible progress for an unusually long period and the computer appears completely unresponsive, troubleshooting may be necessary.

Can I turn off my PC when it says “Working on updates”?

You should avoid turning off the computer while Windows is actively installing an update. Interrupting an update can potentially cause additional problems. If the computer has genuinely become unresponsive for an extended period, a forced restart may eventually be necessary.

Will clearing the Windows Update cache delete my personal files?

Clearing the Windows Update cache removes temporary update files. It does not normally delete your personal documents, photos, videos, or other personal files.

Can low storage cause Windows Update to get stuck?

Yes. Windows needs sufficient free storage to download, unpack, install, and configure updates. If your system drive is almost full, freeing up storage can resolve update installation problems.

Does restarting Windows Update services remove installed updates?

No. Restarting Windows Update services does not normally remove successfully installed Windows updates. It simply restarts the background services responsible for managing the update process.

What if Windows Update is still stuck after all these steps?

If Windows Update continues to fail, the problem may be related to a particular update, a deeper Windows configuration issue, or hardware and driver compatibility. In that situation, you can investigate the specific Windows Update error code shown in Settings > Windows Update > Update history and use it to identify the next troubleshooting method.

Summary

When Windows Update is stuck on “Working on updates,” the problem does not necessarily mean that Windows is permanently damaged. Sometimes the installation simply needs more time to complete.

Start by waiting and checking whether Windows is still responding. Then remove unnecessary external devices, verify your internet connection, check available storage, and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

If the problem continues, restart the Windows Update and BITS services, clear corrupted update cache files, and use DISM and SFC to repair damaged Windows system files. More advanced troubleshooting, such as a clean boot, can help identify third-party software that may be interfering with Windows Update.

Most importantly, avoid repeatedly forcing the computer to shut down while an update is actively installing.