[2023] Solutions and causes when Windows updates do not finish

This time, we will explain the causes and solutions when Windows updates do not proceed or finish.

This is an explanation of possible causes and solutions if the update does not progress or the message "Checking for updates" or "Downloading updates" does not change.

What to do when Windows updates won't finish

If Windows updates do not finish, try the methods below that may resolve the issue.

• wait until it's finished
• Stop security software
• Disconnect all connected peripherals
• Check network status
• Check free space on C drive
• Delete system cache

wait until it's finished

If the Windows update program does not finish, it may be possible to finish the update by waiting a little longer.

You may be wondering how long you should wait, but in some cases it can take from half a day to a full day.

The reason why it takes so long to update is because if there is a large amount of updates to be made, it is necessary to update them all at once.

For example, if you haven't turned on your computer or been connected to the internet for a long time. In this case, the updates that could not be updated until now will be updated all at once, so it may take a long time to complete.

Stop security software

If Windows updates do not finish, temporarily disabling your security software may resolve the issue.

If the network is restricted due to security software, internet communication for updates may not be possible, and updates may not be completed.

Be sure to stop your security software and restart it once the update program is complete.

Disconnect all connected peripheral devices

If Windows updates do not finish, you may be able to resolve the issue by disconnecting all peripherals connected to your computer.

This is because if the peripheral device driver update is not successful, the update program may not finish.

In this case, it is a good idea to reinstall the relevant device drivers individually after the update is complete.

[How to reinstall the device driver]

1. Right-click on "Start (Windows mark)".
2. Select "Device Manager".
3. Select the appropriate device.
4. Select "Uninstall Device".
5. Restarting your PC will reinstall the device driver.

Check network status

If Windows updates do not finish, it may be a good idea to check whether the network is properly connected.

If your computer is not connected to the Internet, the update program may not proceed.

If you are having trouble connecting to the Internet, try disconnecting and reconnecting, or restarting your computer.

Check free space on C drive

If Windows updates do not finish, there may not be enough free space on the C drive.

To download Windows updates, you will need approximately 8GB to 12GB of free space. If possible, it may be better to leave more leeway than that.

If you don't have the amount of free space you need, delete unnecessary data to free up space.

Delete system cache

If Windows updates won't finish, deleting the system cache may solve the problem.

[How to delete system cache]

1. Open Explorer (mark folder)
2. Delete the folder "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore"
3. Delete the folder "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download"

Things to check and things to note when trying again after Windows update program does not finish

If the Windows update program does not finish and you want to try again, please check the following points and precautions.

• Restart and try updating Windows
• Temporarily uninstall security software and update Windows
• Try updating Windows in safe mode
• Solve problems and update Windows with our troubleshooter
• Check for hard disk or SSD failures
• Check if Windows Update service is running
• Reset Windows Update components

Restart and try updating Windows

If Windows updates do not finish, restarting your computer and then updating again may resolve the issue.

If you want to restart, be sure to do so from the "Start button (Windows mark)".

Forced shutdown by holding down the power button may cause malfunction and is dangerous.

Also, be careful not to turn off the computer if the message "Do not turn off the computer" is displayed.

Temporarily uninstall security software and update Windows

If the Windows update program does not finish, the problem may be resolved by temporarily uninstalling the security software and then updating it again.

If you are using commercially available security software, it may interfere with Windows Update.
Although it doesn't seem to be a high possibility, if the problem persists even after trying other solutions, you may want to consider uninstalling it temporarily.

Try updating Windows in safe mode

If Windows updates do not finish, you may be able to do so by trying to update in safe mode.

Safe mode is a diagnostic boot mode for your PC.
In this safe mode, you can perform settings and diagnostics by starting only the minimum necessary functions.

[How to update Windows in safe mode]

1. First, boot into safe mode using the following method.

• 1. Restart the computer while holding down the ``Shift'' key, select ``Restart now'' from the settings, or repeatedly force quit using the power button until ``Choose an option'' appears.
• 2. Select Troubleshoot.
• 3. Select Advanced Options.
• 4. Select Startup Settings.
• 5. Select Restart.
• 6. After restarting, the "Startup Settings" screen will be displayed.
• 7. We want to select "5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking", so press the "5" key.
• 8. Sign in.

1. Once Safe Mode starts, select "Update & Security" from Settings.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Select Check for updates.

Solve problems and update Windows with our troubleshooter

If the Windows update program does not finish, you may be able to succeed by resolving the issue with the troubleshooter and then updating again.

Troubleshooting tools are standard tools installed in Windows that detect and repair problems that occur while using your PC.

[How to use troubleshooting]

1. Select "Start (Windows mark)".
2. Select "Settings (gear mark)".
3. Select Update & Security.
4. Select "Troubleshoot".
5. Select "Additional troubleshooting tools".
6. Select Windows Update.
7. Select Run Troubleshooter.

Check for hard disk or SSD failures

If the Windows update program does not finish, you may be able to find the cause by checking to see if there is a problem with your hard disk or SSD.

[How to check if there is a problem with your hard disk or SSD]

1. Select Explorer (folder mark on taskbar).
2. Right-click on the relevant hard disk or SSD.
3. Select Properties.
4. Select the Tools tab.
5. Select "Check" for "Error Check".
6. Select "Scan Drive" when it appears.

Check if Windows Update service is running

If Windows updates do not finish, checking that the Windows Update service is running may resolve the issue.

[How to check whether the Windows Update service is running]

1. Right-click on "Start (Windows mark)".
2. Select Computer Management.
3. Select "Services and Applications" on the left.
4. Select "Service".
5. Right-click Windows Update.
6. If "Start" is available, select it.
7. Right-click Windows Update Medic Service.
8. Again, select "Start" if available.
9. If it cannot be selected, the Windows Update service is already running.

Reset Windows Update components

If Windows updates won't finish, resetting the Windows Update components may resolve the issue.

A component is a part of a program.

This is an effective method if the message "Windows Update components need to be repaired" is displayed after running the troubleshooter.

[How to reset Windows Update components]

1. Restart your PC.
2. Right-click on "Start (Windows mark)".
3. Select "Windows PowerShell (Administrator)" or "Command Prompt".
4. Select "Yes" if a message appears.
5. Type the command below and press the "Enter" key.

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

1. The operation is complete when the message "The operation completed successfully." is displayed.

What to do if Windows updates and restarts but doesn't finish

If you have updated Windows and restarted it, but the restart does not complete, the most likely cause is a hard disk or SSD failure.

If the problem does not end even after waiting for about a day, you may consider removing peripheral devices.

If your computer keeps restarting rather than never finishing, changing the settings to boot into Safe Mode and restart automatically may solve the problem.

What to do if Windows Update Assistant doesn't finish

If Windows Update Assistant does not proceed or close, try the following methods.

[Solution if Windows Update Assistant does not finish]

1. Select Explorer (folder mark on taskbar).
2. Enter "C:\$GetCurrent".
3. Press the Enter key.
4. Copy the "Media" folder to your desktop.
   (If the folder does not exist, go to "View" and check "Hidden Files".)
5. Select “Setup” in the “Media” folder.
6. Begin the upgrade.
7. For "Install important updates" select "Not now".
8. Select Next.
9. Select "Start (Windows mark)".
10. Select "Settings (gear mark)".
11. Select Update & Security.
12. Select Windows Update.
13. Select "Check for updates".

Is it okay to force quit Windows Update if it doesn't finish?

If Windows Update does not finish, is it okay to force quit midway through?

Forced shutdown using the power button is not recommended as it may cause malfunction.

There is no problem if you restart or shut down from the start button (Windows mark), but it is dangerous to force a shutdown by pressing and holding the power button while updating Windows Update.
Please consider this as a last resort as there is a possibility of data corruption.

Points to note and solutions when you want to stop Windows update programs midway through

If you want to stop Windows update programs midway through, you can temporarily pause the updates using the method below.
However, please be careful not to forcefully shut down the computer using the power button, as it is dangerous.

[How to pause Windows updates]

1. Select "Start (Windows mark)".
2. Select "Settings (gear mark)".
3. Select Update & Security.
4. Select "Pause updates for 7 days." (Can be stopped for up to 35 days.)

Summary of solutions and causes when Windows updates do not finish

This time, we explained the causes and solutions when Windows updates do not proceed or do not complete.

You may get frustrated if the update does not finish, but if you haven't touched your computer for a long time, try waiting for about half a day to a day.

If the problem is still not resolved, try the workarounds described in this article.

To prevent too many updates from occurring at once, we recommend that you start up your computer and update frequently.