How to Fix Windows 10 Update Failed Errors: A Comprehensive Guide

Windows 10 updates are essential for maintaining the security, stability, and performance of your computer. However, sometimes these updates can fail, leaving you with error messages and a system that won’t update properly. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various methods to help you fix Windows 10 update errors and get your system back on track.

1. Rerun Windows Update

The first step in troubleshooting a Windows 10 update error is to simply rerun the update process. Sometimes, the initial attempt may fail due to temporary glitches or network issues. To rerun Windows Update:

1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key I
2. Click on “Update & Security”
3. Click on “Windows Update” in the left-hand menu
4. Click the “Check for updates” button

If there are any available updates, Windows will download and install them automatically. If the update fails again, move on to the next step.

2. Unplug Your Peripherals and Reboot

Sometimes, incompatible or faulty peripherals can interfere with the update process. To rule this out, unplug any unnecessary peripherals, such as printers, scanners, external hard drives, and USB hubs. Then, restart your computer and try running Windows Update again.

3. Check Your Available Drive Space

Windows 10 updates require a significant amount of free disk space to download and install. If your system drive is running low on space, the update process may fail. To check your available drive space:

1. Open File Explorer and right-click on your system drive (usually C:)
2. Select “Properties” from the context menu
3. Check the “Free space” value to ensure you have at least 20GB available for a 64-bit system or 16GB for a 32-bit system

If you’re low on space, consider freeing up some disk space by deleting unnecessary files or uninstalling unused programs.

4. Use the Windows 10 Troubleshooting Tool

Microsoft provides a built-in troubleshooting tool specifically designed to diagnose and fix Windows Update issues. To use the Windows 10 troubleshooting tool:

1. Open the Settings app and click on “Update & Security”
2. Click on “Troubleshoot” in the left-hand menu
3. Under “Get up and running,” click on “Windows Update”
4. Click the “Run the troubleshooter” button and follow the on-screen instructions

The troubleshooting tool will scan your system for any issues related to Windows Update and attempt to fix them automatically.

5. Pause Windows 10 Updates

If you’re experiencing frequent update failures, you can temporarily pause Windows 10 updates to give yourself some breathing room. To pause updates:

1. Open the Settings app and click on “Update & Security”
2. Click on “Windows Update” in the left-hand menu
3. Click on “Advanced options”
4. Under “Pause updates,” select the date until which you want to pause updates

Keep in mind that pausing updates is a temporary solution and you should resume updates as soon as possible to maintain the security and stability of your system.

6. Manually Delete Your Windows Update Files

If the previous steps haven’t resolved the issue, you can try manually deleting your Windows Update files. This will force Windows to download and install the updates again from scratch. To delete your Windows Update files:

1. Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box
2. Type “cmd” and press Ctrl Shift Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt
3. In the Command Prompt, type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:

    net stop wuauserv ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old net start wuauserv 

4. Restart your computer and try running Windows Update again

This process will delete your existing Windows Update files, forcing Windows to download and install the updates from scratch.

7. Download and Install the Latest Update Manually

If all else fails, you can try downloading and installing the latest Windows 10 update manually. To do this:

1. Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website (https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com)
2. Search for the specific update you want to install (e.g., KB4586853)
3. Click the “Download” button next to the update package that matches your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit)
4. Double-click the downloaded update package to begin the installation process

Keep in mind that manually installing updates should be a last resort, as it requires you to find the correct update package and ensure compatibility with your system.

In conclusion, Windows 10 update errors can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve them and get your system back up to date. By following the methods outlined in this guide, you should be able to identify and fix the underlying issue causing the update failure.