Identifying Different Update Issues

Before attempting to fix a stuck update, it's important to identify what kind of update issue you're experiencing:

Dealing with Stuck Windows Updates

Windows updates can get stuck at various stages. Here's how to address the most common scenarios:

For Updates Stuck at 0% or Another Percentage

If an update appears frozen at a certain percentage, try these steps in order:

If the update remains stuck for more than 3 hours with no signs of progress:

1. Restart your computer
   • Press and hold the power button until the device turns off (only as a last resort)
   • Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on
   • Windows should either continue the update or revert to its previous state
2. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
   • After your computer restarts, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot
   • Select "Windows Update" and click "Run the troubleshooter"
   • Follow the on-screen instructions and apply any recommended fixes
3. Clear the Windows Update cache
   • Press Win+R to open the Run dialog
   • Type "services.msc" and press Enter
   • Find and right-click on "Windows Update" service, then select "Stop"
   • Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
   • Delete all files and folders inside this directory
   • Return to Services, right-click on Windows Update, and select "Start"
   • Try running Windows Update again

For Windows Stuck on "Preparing to Configure Windows" or "Configuring Updates"

If your system is stuck at these screens after restarting:

1. Wait at least 2-3 hours before taking any action
2. Perform a hard reset if there's no progress
   • Press and hold the power button until the device turns off
   • Power on the computer
   • Windows should attempt to recover and might enter Automatic Repair mode
3. Use Advanced Startup options
   • If Windows boots to the login screen, hold Shift while clicking Restart
   • If Windows doesn't boot normally, turn the computer on and off three times to trigger Automatic Repair
   • Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart
   • After restarting, press F4 to boot into Safe Mode
4. Run System File Checker in Safe Mode
   • Open Command Prompt as administrator (right-click Start > Command Prompt (Admin))
   • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter
   • Wait for the scan to complete and restart your computer

For Windows Update Loop or Failed Updates

If Windows keeps trying to install updates but fails and reverts repeatedly:

1. Boot into Safe Mode as described in the previous section
2. Disable automatic updates temporarily
   • In Safe Mode, press Win+R, type "services.msc" and press Enter
   • Find "Windows Update" service, double-click it
   • Change "Startup type" to "Disabled" and click "Stop", then "OK"
3. Run DISM tool
   • Open Command Prompt as administrator
   • Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   • Wait for the process to complete (may take 20+ minutes)
4. Re-enable Windows Update
   • Return to Services, find Windows Update
   • Change "Startup type" back to "Automatic (Delayed Start)"
   • Click "Start" then "OK"
5. Download updates manually if automatic updates still fail
   • Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog (microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows.aspx)
   • Search for your specific update by its KB number (e.g., KB5001567)
   • Download and install the appropriate update for your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit)

For Feature Updates (Windows 10/11 Version Upgrades)

Major version updates (like upgrading from Windows 10 version 21H2 to 22H2) can be particularly problematic:

1. Free up disk space
   • Feature updates require significant free space (at least 20GB recommended)
   • Use Disk Cleanup (right-click C: drive > Properties > Disk Cleanup)
   • Select "Clean up system files" and check all boxes, especially "Windows Update Cleanup"
2. Use Windows 10/11 Update Assistant
   • Download the Update Assistant from Microsoft's website
   • Run the tool and follow the on-screen instructions
   • This bypasses the normal Windows Update process and can often work when regular updates fail
3. Create installation media as a last resort
   • Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website
   • Create a bootable USB drive or ISO file
   • Run setup.exe from the USB drive or mounted ISO to perform an in-place upgrade
   • Choose the option to keep your files and apps during installation

Dealing with Stuck macOS Updates

macOS updates can also get stuck. Here's how to resolve common issues:

For macOS Updates Stuck on "Preparing" or with Progress Bar

If your Mac appears frozen during the update process:

1. Be patient for several hours, especially for major version updates
2. Check system activity
   • If possible, press Command+L to view the installation log
   • Check if the log shows ongoing activity despite the frozen progress bar
3. Force restart as a last resort
   • Press and hold the power button until your Mac turns off
   • Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on
   • Your Mac should either continue the update or revert to its previous state

For macOS Updates That Won't Download or Install

If you can't get the update to start properly:

1. Check Apple's System Status page to ensure servers are operational
2. Restart your Mac and router to resolve network connectivity issues
3. Free up storage space
   • Click the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage > Manage
   • Use the recommendations to free up space (at least 20GB for major updates)
4. Download the update manually
   • Search for the specific macOS update in the App Store
   • For major updates, search for "macOS [version name]" (e.g., "macOS Ventura")
   • Download and run the installer manually

For a Mac Stuck on Apple Logo During Update

If your Mac is stuck showing the Apple logo with or without a progress bar:

1. Wait at least 2 hours before taking action
2. Force restart if there's no progress
   • Press and hold the power button until your Mac turns off
   • Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on
3. Boot into Recovery Mode
   • For Intel Macs: Restart and immediately press and hold Command+R
   • For Apple Silicon Macs: Shut down, press and hold the power button until "Loading startup options" appears
4. Use Disk Utility to repair the disk
   • In Recovery Mode, select Disk Utility
   • Select your startup disk and click "First Aid"
   • Wait for the process to complete, then restart
5. Reinstall macOS without erasing if needed
   • In Recovery Mode, select "Reinstall macOS"
   • Follow the prompts, ensuring you don't erase your disk
   • This reinstalls the system software without affecting your data

Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Update Issues

If the basic methods don't resolve your update problems, try these more advanced approaches:

For Windows Systems

Using Windows 10/11 Reset Feature (Keep Files Option)

This option reinstalls Windows while keeping your personal files:

1. Go to Settings > System > Recovery
2. Under "Reset this PC," click "Reset PC"
3. Choose "Keep my files" when prompted
4. Follow the instructions to complete the reset
5. After reset, install any pending updates

Using System Restore

If updates started causing problems recently:

1. Press Win+R, type "rstrui.exe" and press Enter
2. Follow the wizard to select a restore point from before the update problems
3. Complete the restoration process
4. Once restored, try updating again using Windows Update Assistant instead

Disable Conflicting Services

Some third-party services can interfere with updates:

1. Press Win+R, type "msconfig" and press Enter
2. Go to the "Services" tab
3. Check "Hide all Microsoft services" at the bottom
4. Click "Disable all" to disable all third-party services
5. Go to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager"
6. Disable all startup items by selecting each and clicking "Disable"
7. Click "OK" in System Configuration and restart your computer
8. Try the update again

For macOS Systems

Install in Safe Mode

Safe Mode can bypass certain issues that prevent updates:

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Power on and immediately press and hold the Shift key
3. Release when you see the login screen (it should say "Safe Boot" in the upper-right corner)
4. Log in and try to install the update again

Create a Bootable macOS Installer

For persistent macOS update issues:

1. On another Mac, download the macOS installer from the App Store
2. Insert a USB drive (16GB or larger) that you can erase
3. Open Terminal and use Apple's "createinstallmedia" command (check Apple Support for the exact command for your macOS version)
4. Boot your problematic Mac from this installer
5. Install macOS without erasing your drive

Preventing Future Update Issues

Take these proactive steps to minimise update problems in the future:

For Windows

• Maintain sufficient free disk space (at least 20GB on the system drive)
• Keep your device drivers updated through manufacturer websites
• Install updates promptly rather than deferring them for long periods
• Disable third-party antivirus temporarily during major updates
• Create regular system restore points before updates
• Back up important data before major feature updates
• Use wired internet connections for more reliable downloads

For macOS

• Keep at least 25-30GB of free space on your startup disk
• Update apps before updating macOS to prevent compatibility issues
• Clear caches periodically using a tool like CleanMyMac or Onyx
• Run First Aid on your disk from Disk Utility occasionally
• Keep Time Machine backups current before major updates
• Consider waiting a few weeks after major macOS releases for initial bugs to be fixed

Common Windows Update Error Codes and Solutions

If you encounter specific error codes during Windows updates, here are solutions for common ones:

Error 0x80070057

This "parameter is incorrect" error typically indicates corrupted update files or privileges issues.

• Run the DISM tool commands mentioned earlier
• Run the System File Checker (sfc /scannow)
• Re-register Windows Update components using Command Prompt (as administrator):
  C:\> net stop wuauserv C:\> net stop cryptSvc C:\> net stop bits C:\> net stop msiserver C:\> ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old C:\> ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old C:\> net start wuauserv C:\> net start cryptSvc C:\> net start bits C:\> net start msiserver

Error 0x8007000D

This "data is invalid" error often occurs due to corrupted update files.

• Clear the Windows Update cache as described earlier
• Use the Media Creation Tool to perform an in-place upgrade

Error 0x800F0922

This error typically indicates that Windows couldn't connect to update servers or download required files.

• Check your internet connection
• Temporarily disable VPN or proxy connections
• Check Windows Firewall settings to ensure Windows Update is allowed

Error 0x80073712

This "a file needed by Windows Update is likely damaged or missing" error requires file repair.

• Run the SFC and DISM tools as outlined earlier
• Download and install the update manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog

Common macOS Update Error Messages and Solutions

For macOS update issues with specific error messages:

"An error occurred while preparing the installation."

• Restart your Mac and try again
• Download the installer again from the App Store
• Boot into Recovery Mode and repair your disk using Disk Utility

"The network connection was lost."

• Check your internet connection
• Try connecting to a different network
• Download the full installer from the App Store instead of using Software Update

"macOS could not be installed on your computer."

• Verify that your Mac is compatible with the version you're trying to install
• Free up more storage space
• Reset NVRAM/PRAM: Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold Option+Command+P+R for 20 seconds
• Create a bootable installer and install from that instead