Windows update fails to install 2021-07 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 21H1 for x64-based Systems (KB5004237)

Thank you for all the effort you've put in, and everybody has, on this thread.

Misery does enjoy company, and I'm in a similar boat to everybody here, with the same update error message, failure of all traditional troubleshooting methods after almost 2 weeks of posting in various support groups with no luck. However, instead of my laptop (ASUS gl732lws) being bricked because of the update trying to automatically force itself and thus using all resources, I had a bunch of drivers and other Windows functionalities simply fail, partially bricking my computer with no function keys, troubleshooting programs that work, or audio of ANY kind. Is anybody else having this specific subset of issues? It seems to all be from the same cause of this update failing to install. I even tried just reinstalling the audio drivers so my computer could function on a basic level but nothing.

I truly don't understand this from a consumer perspective; I'm not technologically ignorant by any means, since I use this laptop for a good portion of the day, and then it just....breaks. Without audio, my laptop is basically at 10% function for my uses, only used at this point for forums and posting while I try to use a tablet for everything. It's very frustrating, and I have no clue where else to go for help for this problem.

I've just paused updates for 7 days and see if MS comes up with another cumulative update that will absorb that cumulative update haha.

So typical of MS of having this problems. And I've just came back to windows after 10 years on Mac just because I need Windows for the course I am studying and here it goes, the reason I had left MS and have never had any issues with OSX for 10 years!

I paused updates but my laptop still reboots overnight. It was 30 minutes from lid open to being able to read my first email message today.

When I look at Windows Update it says updates are paused. When I look at the update history it shows no failed updates despite the 10+ failed attempts to install the 2021-07 Cumulative Update that I personally witnessed. The last successful cumulative update was 2021-06. Windows Defender Signature updates are still installing successfully.

"Don't worry, we'll try and fail again tomorrow in spite of you 'pausing' us."

I paused updates but my laptop still reboots overnight. It was 30 minutes from lid open to being able to read my first email message today.

When I look at Windows Update it says updates are paused. When I look at the update history it shows no failed updates despite the 10+ failed attempts to install the 2021-07 Cumulative Update that I personally witnessed. The last successful cumulative update was 2021-06. Windows Defender Signature updates are still installing successfully.

"Don't worry, we'll try and fail again tomorrow in spite of you 'pausing' us."

This does not happen for me. It stay paused. Something is messed up on your system.

Hi, try installing all older Cumulative Updates. I had similar problems. I think there is a problem with the servicing stack updates that are now included in the CU. If you have dependencies to SSU means now you have dependencies to CU...