How to Troubleshoot Windows Update Issues in Windows 10

Ian

If you're having problems or errors trying to get Windows 10 updated, this guide will take you through a few tools you can use to troubleshoot issues with downloading and installing updates in Windows 10. These are useful if you are having issues with updates failing, or if you are behind on Windows 10 updates but your system is not automatically detecting the most current updates available. 

Here are some options to try to troubleshoot Windows 10 update issues:

Run the Built-In Troubleshooter in Windows 10

Download Microsoft's Update Troubleshooter or Update Assistant

Perform an In-Place Upgrade with the Media Creation Tool

Run the System File Checker to Scan and Attempt to Automatically Repair Corrupted Windows Files

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Microsoft covers these steps as well as some more in-depth options on their website here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10164/fix-windows-update-errors

TSPhillipT

Run the Built-In Troubleshooter in Windows 10

Click your Start button and go to Settings.

Click Update and Security

Click Troubleshoot on the left side, click Windows Update then click Additional Troubleshooters.

A new screen should show up, click on Windows Update and then click Run the Troubleshooter.  

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Download Microsoft's Update Troubleshooter or Update Assistant

Download and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter from Microsoft’s website. The update troubleshooter can be downloaded here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4027322/windows-update-troubleshooter

Download and run the Windows Update Assistant. The Update Assistant can be downloaded here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10.  Click Update Now at the top to download it.

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Perform an In-Place Upgrade with the Media Creation Tool

On https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10, click Download tool now to download the Media Creation Tool.  

Run the tool and follow the prompts. Select the option to Upgrade this PC now when asked.  

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Run the System File Checker to Scan and Attempt to Automatically Repair Corrupted Windows Files

Click your search bar and type CMD. Right click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator

Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and hit enter

This may take some time to complete

Type sfc /scannow and hit enter.