Unfortunately, some users of Windows 10 have been continually affected by Windows Update Not Working error where the PCs accumulate a lot of pending updates. Some might be marked as ‘Waiting to be downloaded‘ or ‘Waiting to be installed‘. Even if the status is present, none of these updates are downloaded or installed irrespective of the number of times the users have tried to download or install these updates.

Users affected by Windows Update Not Working error when checks on Windows update center, they find a list of every update available for their PC. However, users will be unable to download or install any one of them. Even, if some have the status like ‘waiting to be downloaded’ and ‘waiting to be installed’.

Windows Update Not Working Error in Windows 10

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How to Fix Windows Update Not Working Error

Fortunately, these issues are not something where solutions cannot be found. The points below are the three most appropriate solutions which can be used to fix Windows 10 Won’t update error.

Solution 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

If Windows 10 component is not behaving or working as expected, then users are required to do a simple step like running the built-in troubleshooting utility of Windows 10. But, users need to ensure that this troubleshooting utility is specifically run on the part which is malfunctioning. The users need to follow the steps given below:

Step 1 – Firstly, open Control Panel.

Step 2 – Then, switch to Icons.

Step 3 – After that, click on ‘Troubleshooting‘ option.

Step 4 – Now click on ‘View All’ box in the left panel.

Step 5 – Finally, click on ‘Windows update.’

Step 6 – Afterwards click on ‘Next’ and proceed with the troubleshooting application till the end.

The troubleshooting function will try to find any issues with Windows Update and solves any problem it finds. Once, the user runs the troubleshooter, the user needs to restart their PCs. Lastly, the user should try downloading and installing Windows Update. Once, it reboots the user needs to see whether the Windows Update Not Working errors still occurs or not.

Solution 2: Ensure that all Services Related to Windows Update are Running

The users might face issues on Windows Update, if one or more of the services related to Windows Update are not enabled or not functioning on their PC. In this case, the Windows 10 not updating issue can be easily solved by ensuring that all Windows Update related functions are enabled and running.

To know if all the services pertaining to Windows Update is still running or not, the below steps need to be followed by the user.

Step 1 – At first, hold down the ‘Windows Logo‘ key, while pressing the ‘R‘ key to open ‘Run‘ application.

Step 2 – Now, type ‘services.msc‘ on the dialog box of Run application and press ‘Enter‘.

Step 3 – After that spot and right-click on Windows update option, then click on ‘Properties‘.

Step 4 – Then, set the function’s ‘Startup Type‘ to Automatic. Thus, if the function is stopped, click on ‘Start‘ to start function and click on ‘Apply. After performing all these functions, the user can close the application by clicking ‘OK‘.

Step 5 – Now, discover and right-click on the ‘Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)‘. Next click on ‘Properties‘.

Step 6 – Then again repeat Step 4.

Step 7 – Afterwards, identify and right-click on the ‘Cryptographic service‘. Next click on ‘Properties

Step 8 – Then again repeat Step 4.

In the end, the user is required to restart their PC and check whether the issue persists or the Windows update not working issue had been fixed after the restart.

Solution 3:  Fix the issue via an elevated Command Prompt 

If any of the solutions listed above have not worked for the user, then the user might be able to fix this issue through an elevated Command Prompt. If the user wishes to do through this solution, then is required to follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1 – Firstly, right-click on the ‘Start Menu‘ option to open the ‘Task Menu

Step 2 – Then, click on ‘Command Prompt (Admin)

Step 3 – Now, type these following commands demonstrated below into the elevated Command Prompt, After typing each command press ‘Enter‘ and wait for one command to be completed fully prior to typing of next command.

After all the commands listed above have been completely inputted into the elevated Command Prompt. The user is required to ‘restart‘ their PC. The user is required to check whether they are able to download and install updates through Windows Update after the PC is restarted.

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Final Words

Lastly, even after performing all the above-mentioned steps, if the Windows Update Not Working error still persists on for the user. Then, it is advisable to contact a Windows expert or give the laptop or PC for repair as the issue could be with a laptop or PC.