As a cornerstone of your system’s integrity and security, Windows Update is underestimated. Microsoft also delivers featured OS updates from Windows Update. The update process is vastly streamlined for Windows 10, but that doesn’t mean it’s always problem-free, especially when it comes to compatibility and patches.

Here, we’ll show you how to get Windows Update working again when it fails and what to do if it looks like an update is causing problems.

Manage when automatic updates reboot your machine

You can’t permanently turn off automatic updates in Windows 10, but you can manage when your machine reboots after installing an update. That way, you can at least make sure your machine doesn’t restart during your workday or at an inconvenient time. Here’s how:

Step 1: Go to or search for Settings. Then select Update & Security options.

Step 2: Select the Windows Update tab at the top of the list on the left-hand side. Then, click Change Active Hours in the middle part of the window.

Step 3: This will bring up a window called Active Hours, which will let you set a start and end time for when restarts will occur. Keep in mind that this doesn’t change when updates install, but only when your machine will automatically restart — and that will only happen when you’re not actively using it. Select your preferred times, and click Save.

Step 4: If an update is already scheduled, then you can select Restart Options from the main Windows Update settings page to choose a custom restart time. Just toggle the setting on, and then choose your preferred time and day.

Step 5: Finally, you can pause system upgrades temporarily for up to seven days. Keep in mind that there are separate settings for significant updates and quality updates like security updates.

To defer upgrades, select Advanced Options on the main Windows Update page. Use the drop-down lists to decide how many days you want to delay them.

You can also use this menu to make other adjustments to the way updates are applied, including whether they’re automatic or manually triggered. You even have the option to pause them entirely.

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Microsoft knows that sometimes things (like the infamous Windows 10 May 2019 Update) can bring along a few unwanted issues, which is why the company created the Windows Update troubleshooter. This tool will run through your primary operating system parameters and look for any obvious problems that may be keeping Windows Update from functioning correctly. If it can, the troubleshooter will also fix them automatically. At the very least, it will let you know what the issue is.

Try this analysis early on if you’re experiencing update issues. Head over to Microsoft’s support page and click Download Troubleshooter for Windows 10 — the tool should take care of the rest. It might ask you for administrator privileges to perform a more in-depth check, but beyond permitting it to do so, you don’t need to do anything else.

It won’t solve every problem, but it’s a great place to start and will usually provide useful information even if it can’t offer a fix.

Check your installation error code

If your general update or featured update fails or creates problems, it will often give you an installation error code. The codes don’t tell you much by themselves, but they do include a lot of useful info if you hop online and consult Microsoft’s guide on the matter. Below, we’ve provided a table highlighting some of the more common errors.

Note that this guide is designed specifically for Windows 10 and recent versions like the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. Error codes may not mean the same thing in other versions of Windows.

If all else fails, these quick fixes might do it

Have all the automatic checks and codes failed you? It’s time to go back to the tried-and-true methods, the tricks that have been solving update errors since the update was first invented. Here are a few options that may work for you.

Reboot your computer

This is a surprisingly effective method that will solve a host of computer issues — and it often works for Windows Update. When you encounter an error message, reboot your machine and try to run the updates again. If you haven’t run Windows Update for some time, then you might have to repeat this process several times before all updates have been installed.

Do you have enough disk space?

One scenario in which updates may fail is when your system drive is running out of space. Double-check that you have at least 10GB of free space. If you don’t, perform a disk cleanup to remove files. To do so, type Disk Cleanup into Cortana’s search box, click Disk Cleanup to start the utility, and, if requested, select your system drive (usually C:). Afterward, specify the type of files that you want to get rid of and select OK. Try to stay away from important system files.

Third-party software like CCleaner is a fantastic option for those needing a bit more disk space. To find more information about this, take a look at our complete guide on managing Windows 10’s storage space.

Is malware causing the issue?

Make certain you check your system for malware. If you do not, you may be open to potential dangers. Malware leaves you with a vulnerable system by messing with core system files or turning off Windows services. Antivirus software is 100% necessary, so if you do not have it right now, check out our list of personal favorites for Windows-based machines. In the list, there is easily accessible antivirus software that keeps your computer safe at no cost.

Contact Microsoft support

If you have already gone through all of these options, you likely need to call the Microsoft support team to attempt to diagnose the problem. Head over to the company’s contact page. When you get to this page, you can start a chat, request a time to call back, or schedule a future call. There is an option to ask the community as well. That can take a bit more time, but if other users have run into the same issue, it can be incredibly useful.

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