Windows Update Fails – “Update service was shutting down”

Question

Hello,

I am experiencing an issue with Windows Update on my Windows 11 PC. Every time I try to install updates, I receive the following error message:

“We could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down.”

I have already tried the following troubleshooting steps, but the issue persists:

Restarting my PC multiple times

Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Using a Windows 11 ISO to attempt a repair installation

Resetting Windows Update services and renaming SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders

Despite all these attempts, updates still fail to install.

I would like to authorize Microsoft support to remotely access my PC in order to directly resolve this issue. Please feel free to initiate a remote session if needed.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Best regards, Milenko

Answer 1

hi Milenko, welcome in community

first step:

press the WIN + X buttons and open terminal (admin), now type

net stop bits

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptsvc

ren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 oldcatroot2

net start cryptsvc

del /f /q %windir%\WindowsUpdate.log

del /f /s /q %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\*.*

Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%ApplicationDataMicrosoftNetworkDownloaderqmgr*.dat"

del %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\edb.log

net start bits

net start wuauserv

after each command press enter

if you want you can create a text file from notepad, save it as All files type and give it a .bat extension

then run it as administrator

after doing so, try again with the updates

second step:

Uninstall Security Software

Temporarily uninstall third-party antivirus, VPN clients, or encryption tools.

Perform a Clean Boot

Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.

In Services, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.

1. Disable all Startup apps via Task Manager.

Restart and try upgrading again.Uninstall Security Software

Temporarily uninstall third-party antivirus, VPN clients, or encryption tools.

Perform a Clean Boot

  Press **Win + R**, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  
     In **Services**, check **Hide all Microsoft services**, then click **Disable all**.
     
        Disable all **Startup** apps via Task Manager.
        
           Restart and try upgrading again.
           

last step:

Re-install Windows using Windows Update, try in this way

start > settings > system > recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update --> Reinstall now

follow the instruction on screen, let me know

Elvis