Windows

How do I repair Windows Update?

Updated 2026-08-14

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Quick answer

To repair Windows Update, you can run the Windows Update Troubleshooter and reset the Windows Update components manually if necessary.

This guide provides steps to troubleshoot and repair issues with Windows Update, ensuring your system stays up to date.

Steps

  1. 1

    Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

    Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update. Click 'Run the troubleshooter' and follow the prompts.

  2. 2

    Reset Windows Update Components

    Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following commands one by one: 'net stop wuauserv', 'net stop cryptSvc', 'net stop bits', 'net stop msiserver', then 'net start wuauserv', 'net start cryptSvc', 'net start bits', 'net start msiserver'.

Using the Windows Update Troubleshooter

The Windows Update Troubleshooter can automatically detect and fix common issues with Windows Update. It's a good first step in resolving update problems.

Resetting Windows Update Components

If the troubleshooter doesn't resolve the issue, you may need to manually reset the Windows Update components using Command Prompt.

Watch out for

  • Some steps may vary depending on your version of Windows 10 or 11.

FAQ

What if the troubleshooter doesn't fix the issue?

If the troubleshooter fails to resolve the problem, consider resetting the Windows Update components manually as described in the steps above.

How do I check for updates after repairing?

After completing the repair steps, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click 'Check for updates' to see if updates are available.

Will this affect my installed programs?

Repairing Windows Update should not affect your installed programs, but it's always a good idea to back up important data before making system changes.