Windows Update Troubleshooting and Error Fixing Guide

Ensuring the smooth operation of Windows Update is essential for applying the latest features and security updates to your system. However, errors sometimes occur during the update process, causing installation failures. This article provides a detailed explanation of common Windows Update errors and their solutions. We’ll also introduce troubleshooting methods using DISM and SFC commands, along with links to Microsoft’s official resources. Use this guide as a reference for resolving your Windows Update issues effectively.

Common Windows Update Errors

Errors encountered during Windows Updates can vary. Below are some common error codes and their descriptions:

Error Codes and Their Descriptions

For a detailed list of error codes, please refer here.

Windows Update Troubleshooting Steps

Repairing with DISM Commands

The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool is used to repair Windows images and resolve update errors. For detailed steps, refer to Guide to Using DISM Commands.

Procedure Summary

1. Open Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges
   Open the Start Menu, type “Command Prompt,” right-click on it, and select “Run as Administrator.”
2. Execute the DISM Command
   Type the following command and press Enter:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

3. Specify a Repair Source (if necessary)
   If not connected to the internet, specify a local repair source:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:\\<servername>\c$\winsxs /LimitAccess

4. Repair System Files
   After running the DISM command, execute the following SFC command:

sfc /scannow

Fixing System Files with SFC Commands

The System File Checker (SFC) tool repairs corrupted system files. For detailed steps, refer to Guide to Using the SFC Command.

Procedure Summary

1. Open Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges
   Open the Start Menu, type “Command Prompt,” right-click on it, and select “Run as Administrator.”
2. Execute the SFC Command
   Type the following command and press Enter:cmdコードをコピーするsfc /scannow
3. Check Repair Results
   Upon completion, the results of the repair process will be displayed.

Manually Installing Updates via Microsoft Update Catalog

If a specific update cannot be installed automatically, it can be manually downloaded and installed from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Procedure Summary

1. Access the Microsoft Update Catalog
   Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog.
2. Search by KB Number
   Enter the KB number of the required update in the search bar.
3. Download the Appropriate Update
   Select the update matching your system specifications and download it.
4. Run the Downloaded File
   Double-click the .msu file to start the installation.

Clearing Windows Update Cache to Resolve Issues

Corrupted update cache files can cause Windows Update errors. Use the following commands to clear the cache and resolve the issue.

Procedure

1. Open Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges
   Open the Start Menu, type “Command Prompt,” right-click on it, and select “Run as Administrator.”
2. Execute the Following Commands Sequentially

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
del /f /q %windir%\SoftwareDistribution
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc

3. Explanation of Commands
   • net stop wuauserv and net stop cryptsvc: Stop the Windows Update and Cryptographic services.
   • del /f /q %windir%\SoftwareDistribution: Delete the update cache folder.
   • net start wuauserv and net start cryptsvc: Restart the stopped services.
4. Retry the Update
   After executing the commands, try running Windows Update again to see if the issue is resolved.

Advanced Troubleshooting

For more complex cases, advanced repair using the DISM utility is available.

Advanced Repair Using the DISM Utility

1. Analyze CBS.log File
   Open C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log to check error details.
2. Identify and Download Missing Files
   Identify missing files from the error log and download them via the Microsoft Update Catalog.
3. Extract .msu and .cab Files
   Extract downloaded updates to a specific folder.
4. Repair Using Source Files
   Use extracted files as the source for DISM repair:cmdコードをコピーするDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:\temp\Source\ /LimitAccess
5. Verify Repair
   Re-run the following DISM command to confirm resolution:cmdコードをコピーするDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

FAQ

Q1. Windows Update stops midway. What should I do?
A1. Network issues or server overload may cause updates to pause. Check your internet connection, wait a few minutes, and try again. If the problem persists, use the DISM and SFC commands for system repair.

Q2. The DISM command doesn’t fix the error. What’s next?
A2. If DISM fails, manually download missing files from the Microsoft Update Catalog and specify them as a repair source for DISM.

Q3. I don’t know the error code for Windows Update. What should I do?
A3. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter found under “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Troubleshoot” > “Windows Update” to automatically diagnose and fix issues.

Q4. Can manually installing updates harm my system?
A4. Installing updates from the official Microsoft Update Catalog is safe, provided you select the correct version for your system. Ensure compatibility to avoid issues.

References

• Guide to Using DISM Commands
• Guide to Using the SFC Command
• Microsoft Update Catalog
• Fix Windows Update Errors

Tamaglo

Thank you for reading to the end!