This usually means Windows Update is failing during download or installation. The supported fixes are:
- Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Find Windows Update and select Run.
- Complete the on-screen steps.
- Restart the PC and try Windows Update again
- After restart, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
- Check that the Windows Update service is running
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Find Windows Update.
- If needed, right-click Properties.
- Set Startup type to Automatic.
- If the service is stopped, select Start.
- Select Apply and OK.
- Temporarily disable third-party antivirus or firewall
- Security software can block updates or cause access denied errors.
- Temporarily pause or uninstall non-Microsoft antivirus, then try the update again.
- Important: make sure the software can be reinstalled before removing it.
- Reset the Windows Update cache
- This can remove damaged update files.
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Stop the Windows Update service.
- Open C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
- Delete the files and folders inside.
- Go back to Services and start Windows Update again.
- Rename Windows Update folders from an elevated Command Prompt
- Warning: this resets Windows Update components.
- Search for command prompt, then select Run as administrator.
- Run these commands one at a time:
net stop bits net stop wuauserv ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak net start bits net start wuauserv - Restart the PC.
- Check disk space
- If the failure is related to insufficient space, Windows needs at least 16 GB free for 32-bit or 20 GB free for 64-bit upgrades.
- If storage is low, free space and try again.
- Repair system files
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Run:
sfc /scannow
- If a specific error code appears, use the matching fix
- 0x80070005: insufficient permissions or access denied; use an administrator account and temporarily disable antivirus/firewall.
- 0x80070002: restart the PC and run the Windows Update troubleshooter.
- 0x80248014: start the Windows Update service and run the troubleshooter.
- 0x800705b4: check internet connection and temporarily disable antivirus/firewall.
- 0x80240034: check that Windows Update services are running and run the troubleshooter.
If the update still fails after these steps, an in-place upgrade using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool is an accepted resolution in similar cases because it upgrades Windows and repairs update components while keeping apps, settings, and files by default.
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