How to Fix Windows Update Service Not Running

Before you resort to yelling at the sky

Windows Update is the service that keeps Windows 10 and other Microsoft products up-to-date on your computer. Unfortunately, it has a history of issues, withupdate errors being a common occurrence. But rarely, various reasons—such as incorrectly configured or conflicting settings—can also prevent it from running on your computer altogether.

If you keep receiving an error claiming that the Windows Update service (or a related service) is not running on your computer, the list of fixes that follow should help you get it functioning normally again.

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically diagnose and resolve issues with Windows Update. You must run it first before digging into the rest of the fixes.

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. SelectUpdate & Security.

  3. SelectTroubleshooton the sidebar.

  4. Select the option labeledAdditional troubleshooters.

  5. SelectWindows Update>Run the troubleshooter.

Restart Computer

Restarting your PC helps flush the system memory and works as a quick fix for random service-related issues that crop up in Windows 10. So if you haven’t already, try doing that now and follow by running Windows Update manually (open theStartmenu and go toSettings>Update & Security>Check for updates).

Re-Configure the Windows Update Service

If Windows Update still fails to run, you must check if it’s set up to run automatically in Windows 10. You must also double-check the settings for other related services.

  1. PressWindows+Rto open the Run box.

  2. Typeservices.mscand selectOK.

  3. Right-clickWindows Updateand selectProperties.

  4. Set theStartup typetoAutomaticand selectApply. Follow that by settingService statustoRunning.

  5. SelectOKto save the changes.

  6. Repeat steps3–5for the following services:

  7. Restart your computer.

Check for Computer Viruses

Harmful software is another reason that prevents the Windows Update service from running in Windows 10.

Using the built-in Windows Security appletshould help you to detect and remove malware. But since Windows Update isn’t running, it may not have the most up-to-date antimalware definitions to perform a comprehensive scan of your computer.

So the best way to deal with that is touse a dedicated third-party malware removersuch asMalwarebytes. Try running a quick scan, and follow that with a system-wide check for computer viruses.

Disable Third-Party Antimalware Service

Conversely, a third-party firewall or anti-malware utility can end up blocking Windows Update.

To rule that out, try pausing any antivirus software via the Windows 10 system tray. Then, run Windows Update manually.

Reset Windows Update

Windows Update stores downloaded data temporarily in a specifically designated folder labeledSoftwareDistribution. Deleting it might help rule out a corrupt or obsolete update cache from causing issues. But before you do that, you must stop the Windows Update service (assuming that it’s running and hasn’t crashed).

  1. PressWindows+Rto open the Run box.

  2. Typecmdand pressCtrl+Shift+Enterto launch the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

  3. Run the commands as follows to disable the Windows Update service:

net stop wuauserv

  1. Run the two commands below to delete theSoftwareDistributionandcatroot2folders:

rmdir %systemroot%SoftwareDistribution /s

You must confirm your action by pressingY>Enter.

  1. Run the following command to restart the Windows Update service:

net start wuauserv

If the steps above didn’t help, try resetting all Windows Update-related components manually. We recommend checking therelevant support article by Microsoftfor specific instructions.

Delete Temporary Files

Deleting files from previous operating system updates may also help get the Windows Update service up and running again on your PC.

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. SelectSystem.

  3. SelectStorageon the sidebar.

  4. Pick the option labeledTemporary files.

  5. Check the box next toWindows Update Cleanup.

  6. SelectRemove files.

Run SFC Scan and DISM Tool

If Windows Update fails to run due to general file corruption or other stability-related issues in Windows 10, you can attempt to fix them using the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tools.

  1. Open an elevated Windows PowerShell console.

  2. Type the following command:

sfc /scannow

  1. PressEnter.

  2. Open an elevated Windows PowerShell console.

  3. Type the following command and pressEnter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

  1. If the DISM tool detects any issues, run the two commands as follows:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Update Windows 10 Manually

Rather than using Windows Update, you can download and install the latest updates for Windows 10 manually via the Microsoft Update Catalog website. That might help fix the service for subsequent updates.

  1. PressWindows+Rto open the Run box.

  2. Typewinverand selectOK.

  3. Note down the Windows 10 version—e.g.,21H1.

  4. Visit theWindows 10 update historywebsite and note down the latest KB (Knowledge Base) ID for your Windows 10 version.

  5. Visit theMicrosoft Update Catalogwebsite and search for the KB ID.

  6. Select and download the latest update for your Windows 10 version.

  7. Run the downloaded installer to apply the update.

Optionally, consider installing the latest Servicing Stack Update for your Windows 10 version. That can help fix additional issues with Windows Update. You can search for and download it from the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

Use the Windows Update Assistant

If the Windows Update service still fails, you can use theWindows Update Assistanttoforce-install the latest feature update for Windows 10.

After downloading the applet to your PC, simply run it and selectUpdate Now.

Roll Back or Reset Windows

If you continue to experience problems, you might want to perform a system restore. That helps roll back any recent changes to the operating system that prompted the issue to occur. You can also try uninstalling the previous Windows update.

Finally,resetting Windows 10 to factory defaultsshould work as a last-ditch measure to fix the Windows Update service for good.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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