How to fix windows 11 Update failure?

Question

My update keeps failing as Windows is trying to update to a previous version 22H2 however I am on 23H2 so when it goes and downloads and tries to install it fails and I have not been able to get any updates because of it. I have tried the trouble shooter and CMD commands for resetting updates, and nothing has worked. This is on my personal business computer, and I have full control of the system no Group Policies have been set. I would really like to avoid doing a clean wipe on the machine.

Answer 1

Hi, DDuchesne

You can try the following suggestions:

1. Reset Windows Update components: This includes stopping the Windows Update service, clearing the Windows Update cache, and then restarting the service.

There are a few steps involved in resetting Windows Update components. Here's a guide on how to do it:

• Stop Windows Update Services: net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver
• Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders: Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
• Restart Windows Update Services: net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver

You should run these commands in the Command Prompt or PowerShell with administrator privileges. After you run these commands, restart your computer.

2. Try to repair the system:

• Search for CMD in the start menu, find 'Command Prompt' and select 'Run as administrator'.
• Enter the following commands one at a time, making sure to run the next command after the previous one has completed.

     DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  
     SFC /Scannow
  

• After the scan is complete, you can check the scan information to see if any problems were detected and fixed.

3. Perform an in-place upgrade: Let’s try performing an in-place install or in-place upgrade which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. Once you are done backing up, you can follow the steps in the following guides: How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community

If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Device name DESKTOP-RLJOOC4

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8500 CPU @ 3.00GHz 3.00 GHz

Installed RAM 8.00 GB (7.74 GB usable)

Device ID 9960A75B-32AB-492B-BCF7-1E11C4F29DFE

Product ID 00329-10280-00000-AA725

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Pen and touch Touch support with 10 touch points

Edition Windows 11 Enterprise

Version 23H2

Installed on 12/‎21/‎2023

OS build 22635.3155

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22684.1000.0

It's trying and failing to install the following update:

2022-08 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5016632)

Answer 3

Hi, DDuchesne

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

I understand your frustration in facing the update issue. The phenomenon you describe is indeed strange, a machine with 23H2 installed trying to update 22H2.

Before trying to help you with your problem, could you please provide me with some more specific information? Including the specific version number of your current system and the version number of the update package that failed to update, and ideally the error message associated with the update.

Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation.

Best Regards

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 4

Just a quick note that 'may' help...

I've had the same kind of issue with a different update. I tried all of the advice that you have been given and got nowhere....

However I had been running INSIDER downloads to get early experience of coming updates. When I deleted all of the ones of these I could via the history delete facility, my update ran just fine! after 2 days of battle!

If you try everything and you have insider downloads then you could try this :-)

BrettHa

Answer 5

Where did you find all the old versions? Is there a specific repository for these files or are they under the Download folder?