Why Is Windows Update Taking So Long? [Fix Stalled Updates]

Windows updates can sometimes take longer than expected, and the process may appear to be stuck.

Let’s explore why certain updates can take a long time, what to do about it, and how to proceed if an update completely fails.

Why Windows Updates take longer than expected?

There are several reasons why Windows Update might take a long time to complete, including:

• Size of the update – If the update is a big one with a major feature update or cumulative update, it may take longer to download and install, especially if you have a slow internet connection.
• System resources – Windows Update requires system resources, such as processing power, memory, and storage, to complete the installation. If your computer has limited resources available, it may slow down the Windows Update process.
• Background processes – Windows Update runs in the background and may compete with other processes or scheduled tasks on your computer, which can cause the update to take longer.
• Compatibility checks – Windows Update performs compatibility checks to ensure that the update is compatible with your hardware and software configuration. If there are compatibility issues, the process may take longer.
• Issues with Windows Update – Sometimes, Windows Update itself may encounter issues or errors that can cause delays in the update process. For example, network connectivity issues, corrupted update files, conflicts with third-party software, and more.
• Corrupted system – If your current operating system has damaged system files or other problems, this may prevent updates from functioning correctly.

What can I do if Windows Update has stalled?

If Windows Update appears to be taking a long time and you suspect it may have stalled, here are some steps you can take:

• Be patient – Large updates can take a considerable amount of time, and the update process may appear to be stuck at a certain percentage. It’s important to be patient and let the update process complete, as interrupting it can cause issues.
• Restart your computer – If you have waited a long time and there’s no sign of progress, restarting your computer can help resolve any temporary issues that may be affecting the update. Usually, the process will resume, or you can restart it from the Update area.
• Check the internet connection – Ensure that your computer has a stable internet connection and there are no network issues that may be affecting the download speed of the update.
• Note error messages – If you see any error messages during the update process, note them down and use them to troubleshoot the issue. You can search for the specific error code online.

When do I need to repair Windows?

If the update doesn’t resume automatically or cannot be restarted. Or it stalls at the same spot, you may need to repair your core Windows system files.

You can use the built-in System File Checker by typing cmd into the Windows Search bar and opening the Command Prompt. Then type sfc /scannow to start the process.

However, a Windows repair tool such as Fortect might be the better option. Not only does it replace any missing or damaged system files, but it also repairs the registry and removes junk files too.

1. Download and Install Fortect on your computer.
2. Launch the program and run a scan, which takes less than 5 minutes.
3. Click Start Repair (after product activation) to repair all Windows problems.
4. Wait for the process to complete and restart your PC.
5. Go to System settings > Check for updates and restart the update.

Reset the Windows Update services

1. Type cmd in the search bar and open Command Prompt as the administrator.
2. In the Command Prompt, type and press Enter the following commands one by one:
   • net stop wuauserv
     net stop cryptSvc
     net stop bits
     net stop msiserver
3. After running these stop commands, you need to rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders by typing the following:
   • ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
     ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
4. Now it’s time to restart the services by typing the following commands:
   • net start wuauserv
     net start cryptSvc
     net start bits
     net start msiserver
5. Close the Command Prompt and try the update again.

Sometimes when an update fails or the process has otherwise been corrupted, Windows cannot recognize it as incomplete. Resetting the update components can get things moving again.

There’s usually nothing to worry about if Windows Update is taking a long while to complete. However, if it stalls completely, restarting your computer can help resume the process.

If you’re still having trouble, repairing Windows and resetting the update service will allow you to start the update again.