Windows Update Service stuck at "Stopping". Taskkill doesn't work.

There's no way anyone could have completed all those steps in 8 minutes it took you to reply.

Absolute thoroughness is required in these matters, skipping nothing and asking back if you need any help to complete a step. We often find out later that the fix was the skipped step, so please do not skip any. If you need help performing any step I will help.

If you don't want to bother with all the steps then just do the Repair Install in Step 4 as it fixes almost all problems.

I've tried "net stop wuauserv" from step 2, but that didn't work, because the Windows Update service is in "Stopping" mode. Even the "Ren" command doesn't work because the file SoftwareDistribution is in use by the wuauserv service. Also, I have tried the media creation tool in the past, and it just ended up breaking my pc.

I think the only way is to upgrade to windows 1909 update, since this issue started after upgrading to the 1903 update

Hi MG. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator here to help you.

I'll give you everything possible for fixing Windows Updates, so that at least something will work before you work through them all. If you don't have enough functionality to do them normally you can try Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet), or Safe Mode, accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf....

1. There is a new guided walk-through from Microsoft for repairing Windows Update that leads up to resetting components if necessary: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10164/.... Try running that first.
2. If that fails try manually resetting Windows Update Service:

Open administrative Command Prompt and type following commands one-by-one followed by Enter key.

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptSvc

net stop bits

net stop msiserver

Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

net start wuauserv

net start cryptSvc

net start bits

net start msiserver

Close Command Prompt and see if Windows Updates works then

3. If problems with Updates have become chronic and especially if you have other performance problems, go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

4. If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open installed Tool and choose to Upgrade the PC Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, and is also the most stable method to advance to the latest version 1909. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

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Good news! There are major changes in Version 1903 giving back control over Updates to the consumer. Microsoft has heard us at the highest level who announced this here:

https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/201...

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I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

None of these methods work for me.

Type Services in Search box, open Services app as Administrator, scroll down to Windows Update Service and Stop it, change Service type to Disabled. Restart PC. This should at least restart it.

If not right click Start to open Task Manager, from Services tab scroll down to WUD services, highlight each and End Task, also should restart it.

I gave you an entire checklist to go over the install to find and fix problems. It almost always results in the problem being solved, if not by Step 10 then from it's SFC and DISM steps.

You can download the media using the Media Creation tool to run it. I would not give it to you if it would ruin your install. That's the only really stable way to Upgrade to a new version in the first place.

I help people by the tens of thousands in forums, nobody helps more. I have the top award in the tech field for all ten years I've helped in forums. You can trust me to guide you and not ignore steps I give.

There's no way anyone could have completed all those steps in 8 minutes it took you to reply.

Absolute thoroughness is required in these matters, skipping nothing and asking back if you need any help to complete a step. We often find out later that the fix was the skipped step, so please do not skip any. If you need help performing any step I will help.

If you don't want to bother with all the steps then just do the Repair Install in Step 4 as it fixes almost all problems.