In Windows 11, the Windows Update service allows the system to receive the latest update from Microsoft to fix bugs, fix security vulnerabilities, and deploy newer drivers. In addition, it is the service of choice for downloading feature updates and Insider preview builds.
The caveat is that Windows Update is not perfect and sometimes computers may not be able to download or install updates due to certain errors, from system not connecting to service and many other issues.
Usually, problems appear when the update mechanism services stop working, when Windows 11 deals with update cache issues, or when some system files get corrupted. If something happens, you can reset Windows Update on Windows 11 to solve most problems by using the troubleshooter, applying updates manually, fixing corrupt system files, or resetting system components.
In this guide, you will learn the different ways to reset Windows Update components on Windows 11.
Reset Windows Update using Troubleshooting on Windows 11
To reset Windows Update using the Windows 11 Troubleshoot feature, follow these steps:
1. Open Settings.
2. Click System.
3. Click on the tab fix.
4. Click Parameter other stores.
5. In the Most Frequent section, click on the button Implement for the “Windows Update” option.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen (if applicable).
Once your computer restarts, try to update Windows 11 again and now it should work as expected.
Fix Windows Update while manually installing updates on Windows 11
If you are having problems using Windows Update, installing the latest available update may automatically fix the problem. In addition, cumulative updates now bundle Servicing Stack Update (SSU), an update designed to improve and fix issues to make Windows Update more reliable.
To manually install an update to resolve Windows Update issues on Windows 11, follow these steps:
1. Open a file Windows 11 update history website.
2. Select the latest Windows 11 update from the left pane and type in the ‘KB’ number of the update.
Quick tip: You can check your current version at Settings > System > onand in the Windows Specifications section, confirm the version information.
3. Open a file website of Microsoft Update Catalog.
4. Find the Knowledge Base (KB) number of the latest update (x64).
5. Click the button Download to get the latest update for Windows 11.
6. Click on the “.msu” download link and save the file to the device.
7. Double-click the package to install it and troubleshoot Windows Update.
8. Restart your computer.
After completing the steps, the computer will apply the latest update. The installation should also have resolved any issues with the Windows Update service.
Windows Update repair to fix corrupted files on Windows 11
The Windows Update service may stop due to system file corruption. If this is the case, you can use the Deployment Image Service and Management (DISM) to ensure that the Windows 11 local system image is in good condition and then use the System File Checker (SFC) to troubleshoot problems on Windows Update with local system image files.
To fix system files to fix Windows 11 update issues, follow these steps:
1. Open to start.
2. Research command promptright-click the top result and select the option Execute as administrator.
3. Type the following DISM command to repair corrupt system files and press entrance :
dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
4. Type the following sfc command to repair system files and press entrance :
sfc/scannow
Once you complete the steps, the Windows Update components should start working again and you can check for updates again to verify.
Reset Windows Update using Command Prompt on Windows 11
Alternatively, it is also possible to reset all Windows Update components using commands to fix the most common problems. This is usually the best option to fix update system issues on Windows 11.
To manually reset Windows Update using Command Prompt on Windows 11, follow these steps:
1. Open to start.
2. Research command promptright-click the top result and select the option Execute as administrator.
3. Type the following commands to stop the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Windows Update Service, and Cryptography Service, then press entrance per line:
net stop bits net stop wuauserv net stop appidsvc net stop cryptsvc
Quick tip: You may need to run the command several times until you see the message that the service has stopped successfully.
4. Type the following command to delete all files qmgr *.dat Created by BITS from your computer. and press entrance :
Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\*.*"
5. Kind s to confirm deletion.
6.Type the following commands to clear the Windows Update cache to allow Windows 11 to re-download updates, instead of using files already downloaded to the system that may be corrupt then press entrance per line:
rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q
Quick tip: We use the
rmdirdelete directory command using/SOption to remove the selected directory and all subdirectories from the home folder, and/QOption delete directories quietly without confirmation. If you receive the message The process cannot access the file because it is in use by another process.repeats Step 1 And try again, as one of the services might have restarted unexpectedly.
7. Type the following commands to reset the BITS and Windows Update services to the default security descriptor, then press entrance per line:
sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY) (A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU) (A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU) sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY) (A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU) (A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
8. Type the following command to navigate to the System32 folder and press entrance :
cd /d %windir%\system32
9. Type the following commands to register all relevant BITS and Windows Update DLL files in the registry and press entrance per line:
regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll regsvr32.exe /s shdocvw.dll regsvr32.exe /s browseui.dll regsvr32.exe /s jscript.dll regsvr32.exe /s vbscript.dll regsvr32.exe /s scrrun.dll regsvr32.exe /s msxml.dll regsvr32.exe /s msxml3.dll regsvr32.exe /s msxml6.dll regsvr32.exe /s actxprxy.dll regsvr32.exe /s softpub.dll regsvr32.exe /s wintrust.dll regsvr32.exe /s dssenh.dll regsvr32.exe /s rsaenh.dll regsvr32.exe /s gpkcsp.dll regsvr32.exe /s sccbase.dll regsvr32.exe /s slbcsp.dll regsvr32.exe /s cryptdlg.dll regsvr32.exe /s oleaut32.dll regsvr32.exe /s ole32.dll regsvr32.exe /s shell32.dll regsvr32.exe /s initpki.dll regsvr32.exe /s wuapi.dll regsvr32.exe /s wuaueng.dll regsvr32.exe /s wuaueng1.dll regsvr32.exe /s wucltui.dll regsvr32.exe /s wups.dll regsvr32.exe /s wups2.dll regsvr32.exe /s wuweb.dll regsvr32.exe /s qmgr.dll regsvr32.exe /s qmgrprxy.dll regsvr32.exe /s wucltux.dll regsvr32.exe /s muweb.dll regsvr32.exe /s wuwebv.dll
Quick note: I’
regsvr32Helps save files .DLL » As command components in the registry, we use the extension/SThe option to select the tool to run the command silently without prompting additional prompts.
10. Type the following commands to reset any network configurations that may be part of the problem (but don’t restart your computer yet), then press entrance per line:
netsh winsock reset netsh winsock reset proxy
11. Type the following commands to restart BITS, Windows Update, and Cryptographic Services, then press entrance per line:
net start bits net start wuauserv net start appidsvc net start cryptsvc
12. Restart your computer.
After completing the steps, Windows Update will be reset and will work again in Windows 11.
If you receive error 0x80248007 while downloading a cumulative or feature update, you will have to wait for some time (up to 24 hours) and the error will automatically disappear.
