By Rebecca Albert 
Keeping your Windows operating system up to date is essential to ensure the security and performance of your computer. However, there are times when the update process encounters errors, which can be frustrating and time-consuming to resolve.
Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to deal with these errors and successfully install your updates.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different errors you might encounter and provide tips on how to fix them.
What are the most common Windows Update errors?
Most Windows Update errors occur while the computer is running and can be seen in the update area with the message: There were some issues installing updates…
In most cases you can try again later, but the error code will give you more information.
- Error 0x80073712 – This error can occur when certain system files related to Windows Update are missing or corrupted.
- Error 0x800F0922 – This happens when there is a problem with your internet connection or when the update package gets corrupted while downloading.
- Error 0x80240034 – Usually indicates that the Windows Update service is unavailable or not running.
- Error 0x80070020 – This happens when the update is installed and some files are locked by another process or program.
- Error 0x8024200D – When the download process is interrupted or the update package is corrupted.
- Error 0x80070005 – This happens because the Windows user account does not have sufficient permissions to install updates.
- Error 0x8024402F – When the Windows Update service cannot connect to the Internet.
- Error 0x80070002 – When the update is installed, but some files are missing or corrupted, causing the update to fail.
- Error 0x800b0100 – This error may occur during the update process, but some files cannot be verified, causing the process to terminate.
Remark: There are more error codes, but they all have similar causes, such as system file corruption, internet connection problems, a corrupted download, or damage to the update service itself.
Windows Update Errors After Reboot
Most Windows Update errors are not serious and can be easily resolved by restarting your computer, checking for updates again, and resuming the process. You may also need to restart the download package from scratch.
However, if the update error was caused by existing damage to Windows or if the process itself is causing damage to Windows, you should repair the system before performing an update.
Updates are not resuming – If the update area appears to be stuck after restarting your PC and nothing is downloaded or installed, you may need to restart the update service itself and repair any damage to Windows.
Windows won’t start – If an update causes a reboot loop or a loop where updates install and fail, you should Advanced Boot Options to boot into safe mode or to repair Windows.
How do I fix all Windows Update errors?
Here are some general ways to fix common Windows Update errors:
Restart your computer – Restart your computer and try again if you haven’t already done so.
Check the internet connection – Make sure your internet connection is stable and working properly. This can prevent update packages from being downloaded.
Disable antivirus software – Sometimes antivirus software can interfere with Windows updates because of the changes they make to the system. Temporarily disable your antivirus and try updating again.
Update Drivers – In rare cases, outdated or incompatible drivers can cause Windows Update errors. Make sure to update your drivers regularly by using the software that came with your hardware, visiting the manufacturer’s website, or going through Windows Device Manager.
Resetting the update service – If Windows Update components are corrupted, manually resetting them may help resolve the issue. To do this, type cmd in the windows Search Query and open the command prompt as administrator.
Then type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each assignment:
- net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
run C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
Download updates manually – If you are unable to download updates through Windows, you can download them manually via the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
You need to search for the update that failed using the KB number or release name. Once it is downloaded, double-click on it and it will run like any other installer.
Advanced Boot Options – If the update caused a reboot loop, open Advanced Boot Options through the F8 key at startup. You can then use the automatic Startup repair tools to get back in or System Restore to choose a restore point before the update.
Use a Windows repair tool
A Windows repair and optimization tool like Fortect can help you deal with update errors quickly and efficiently.
Before performing an update, Fortect replaces any corrupted or missing system files to ensure the process goes smoothly. However, if you encounter an update error, you can run the tool to repair Windows and try again.
- Download and install Strengthen on your PC.
- Launch the software and run a scan, which will not take more than 5 minutes. It also works in safe mode.
- Click Start repair to repair all Windows problems including corrupted system files and broken registry.
- Wait for the process to complete and restart your PC if prompted.
Windows Update errors don’t have to be stressful. A few simple checks and steps will get the update process going for most users. If there are deeper issues with corrupted system files, use a tool like Fortect to get your PC back to optimal condition.