Troubleshooting Updates Will Not Install

Question

Two important updates will not install. I have tried many times and they always fail. I have tried running the Windows update troubleshooter but I get an error and it fails to run and I am advised to contact support. Your advice would be appreciated.

Kind regards

Chris

Answer 1

Hi Chris, thanks for the detailed explanation. You're definitely not alone—many users have reported issues with Windows 11 25H2 updates failing to install, and even the Windows Update Troubleshooter itself failing to run. Here's a breakdown of what’s going on and how you can move forward.

Microsoft has acknowledged several problems with recent cumulative updates like KB5066835 and KB5062553, including error codes like 0x80240069, 0x800700c1, 0x800f0991, and 0x8007371b, Update stalls or rollbacks and Troubleshooter crashes or fails to launch properly.

Recommended Fixes

1. Use the Windows Update Reset Script

This resets all update components:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

2. Run the following commands one by one:

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

net stop cryptsvc

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

net start wuauserv

net start bits

net start cryptsvc

Restart your PC and try the update again.

3. Install Updates Manually

- Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog

- Search for the update code (e.g., KB5066835)

- Download and run the standalone installer

4. Run DISM and SFC Tools

These repair system files that might be blocking updates:

cmd

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

sfc /scannow

5. Use the Media Creation Tool for Repair Install

This keeps your files and apps intact:

- Download the Media Creation Tool

- Choose Upgrade this PC now

- This often bypasses update issues without needing a clean install

Let me know what happens.

Regards

Answer 2

Thank you very much for your help.

Method 1/2 Use the Windows Update Reset Script - Failed The updates would still not install.

Method 3 Install Updates Manually -Failed

KB5066835 would not install with an error message that it was not compatible with my system

Searching for KB5066131 brought up a page in Chinese which was too confusing to download

Method 4 - Run DISM and SFC Tools - Failed SFC would not run with an error message

Method 5 -Use the Media Creation Tool for Repair Install. - Succeeded! Windows is now up to date and my machine is back to normal and running smoothly.

Thanks again for all your help.

Kind regards

Chris