Can't update past 1909 - tried multiple things?

Question

I have been stuck on Version 1909 since MAY, no updates at all since then. If I press CHECK UPDATES, nothing happens.. then I tried the update assistant. I have since tried it with ONLY MOUSE/KB USB, and Antivirus Disabled
each time it downloads, restarts, goes from 0% 8%, 30% and then restarts.. restarts.. till finally says CHANGING SETTINGS BACK and then sometimes restarts half a dozen more times till finally get back on Desktop and still on version 1909 no errors

I then tried Going to services.MSC and turning off and stopping WINDOWS UP, and BITS, then going to C:/windows/softwaredistribution and deleting files/folders
restarting and then trying to update and update assistant again.. same as before

someone mentioned in another forum that I should do a couple different things that forum thread can be found here
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update/cant-update-past-1909-update-assistant-rolls-back/7eb95ed5-0b67-4ee3-b248-661bfaf83ce0

ending up with me downloading the media creation tool. AGAIN ANTIVIRUS turned off.. I tired upgrading this pc and it downloaded files, restarted and did the same exact thing.. but this time gave me an error message
0xC1900101 - 0x30004
the installation failed in the FIRST_BOOT phase with an error during INSTALL_RECOVERY_ENVIRONMENT operation

I then tried booting into a USB that I created using the media creation tool.. I tried to UPGRADE but it would not let me do it.. said that I could not update from media startup or something and to restart the computer. only other option it gave me was to do a fresh install

I have ran Sfc /scannow with ZERO ERRORS
I have tried running
dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
both said zero errors
chkdsk /scan no errors

i'm really not sure what else to do. I'm unable to update windows and have not received a security update in a very long time. The last update that it shows I was able to install was in May 2021

I don't understand why, when it's going to install it almost instantly goes to 30% and just reboots. Am I going to have to totally re-install windows? I really don't want to?
but if I have too, it won't be that bad cause I installed a secondary m.2 last week and I cloned my C:/ drive onto it
I should also mention, the C:/ drive has 60GB remaining so it's not a space limitation. It's not a USB issue cause only KB/MOUSE is plugged in.. the antivirus is turned off.

Answer 1

I ended up fixing it.
I tried the ISO and it was giving me an error saying it couldn't continue to the next phase, but I thought about something.. WHY was it restarting constantly? even when running the update assistant it would get to 30% and restart.. so I went into the BIOS and set all setting to default... removed the XMP profile.. and then I ran the update assistant again.. this time it installed.. I'm guessing the XMP profile was messing with it somehow, maybe making something too hot and it would restart.
SO, now my original drive 960 EVO, I ended up removing that partition when trying to install the ISO, which lead to it saying my computer needed worked on.. LUCKILY I had cloned my drive to the new m.2 and the updated windows is now on that 2nd M.2 and my original drive is empty.. I still was unable to install a brand new copy on the 960 evo cause of the error message.. I think I know why. I didn't remove all other drives.. i'm guessing if I removed all drives and left only the 960 evo it would install.. but, as of right now I think i'll keep it like it is.. and possibly try installing windows 11 on the 960 evo.. if I don't like It, I can just swtich boot device to 2nd m.2 with the latest windows 10 update.

So, if you guys hear of someone else having an issue where it keeps restarting while trying to go through an update or install a new copy the way it was doing me.. make sure they reset bios settings to default settings. I'm just happy that I figured it out.. that is one thing about me, I have never let a computer problem defeat me LOL I'll troubleshoot for weeks at a time till I figure it out, or it drives me insane!

Answer 2

There are some options:

1) Run through a Windows upgrade check list

2) collect logs > perform trial and error steps

3) If trial and error steps work that will complete the troubleshooting

4) If trial and error steps fail then perform either:

a) Windows refresh
b) Reset save files
c) Custom install
d) Clean install

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Answer 3

These can be performed at any pace:

UPGRADE CHECK LIST:  
Run through this check list before the next upgrade attempt:  
  
1) remove nonessential hardware  
docks  
USB devices  
printers  
headset  
speakers  
joysticks  
projectors  
scanners  
plotters  
portable optical drives (CD, DVD)  
microphones  
cameras  
webcams  
smartphones  
bluetooth devices  
USB drives (other than a windows 10 iso if used for the upgrade)  
USB Wireless Mouse or Keyboard Receiver, USB Wireless Network Card  
secondary monitors  
  
  
2) These should be the only attached devices:  
wired mouse  
wired keyboard  
monitor  
  
Any of these that have been done in the past week are not necessary to repeat:  
  
  
3) open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste: (repair file system)  
chkdsk /r /v   
This may take many hours so plan to run overnight  
Find the chkdsk report in the event viewer using the information in this link and post into the thread:  
Read Chkdsk Log in Event Viewer in Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials  
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/40822-read-chkdsk-log-event-viewer-windows-10-a.html   
  
4) open administrative command prompt and copy and paste: (repair operating system)  
sfc /scannow   
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth   
When these have completed > right click on the top bar or title bar of the administrative command prompt box > left click   
on edit then select all > right click on the top bar again > left click on edit then copy > paste into the thread  
  
5) update windows (have all recommended updates installed) and reboot after updates  
  
6) List and uninstall all non-Microsoft antivirus software  
(This includes always on and manual software.)  
(This includes running the applicable antivirus uninstall tools for any AV that could have been incompletely uninstalled)  
https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2625/  
  
7) List and uninstall all non-Microsoft firewall software  
  
8) List all Microsoft and non-Microsoft drive encryption software.   
Uninstall all non-Microsoft disk encryption software  
  
9) Run disk cleanup to clean temporary and system files  
  
10) Verify that the drive has > 32 GB free space  
  
11) Place the computer in clean boot:  
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows  
How to perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 - TechNet Articles - United States (English) - TechNet Wiki  
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/29876.how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-10.aspx  
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/41804-perform-clean-boot-windows-10-troubleshoot-software-conflicts.html  
  
  
12) Test the drive:  (Sea Tools long generic and Crystal Disk SMART)  
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/313457-seatools-dos-windows-how-use.html  
https://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/seatools/seatools-win-master/  
Crystal Disk standard edition:  
https://crystalmark.info/en/software/crystaldiskinfo/  
  
  
13) Detach all SATA devices other than the disk drive that has the Windows operating system  
(Make sure that the only disk drive that is attached to the computer at the time of the upgrade attempt   
is the disk drive containing Windows)  
(Other disk drives may be able to be detached by disconnecting cables or if necessary to remove the drive   
from the computer)  
  
14) Make sure that there is no metered connection:    
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17452/windows-metered-internet-connections-faq  
  
15) Open the website for the motherboard manufacturer > support > BIOS > upgrade the BIOS to the most up to date non-beta BIOS  

After performing all of the above steps (post images into this thread using share links: one drive, drop box, or google drive) perform an in place upgrade repair in clean boot (make sure that all third party AV, firewall, and drive encryption are uninstalled).

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9230-download-windows-10-iso-file.html
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

If this works then that will complete the troubleshooting.

If it fails then you can choose one of the option in the prior post or run log collectors for troubleshooting.

Start with:

setupdiag: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/upgrade/setupdiag

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Answer 4

Hi there,

As you have tried out all basic troubleshooting, try updating your BIOS and other drivers.
Then try Reset Windows Update components manually
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/deployment/update/windows-update-resources
restart and try the update if it is not helpful when we are left only with a clean install
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/all/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-or-reinstall-of/aef0ae63-2117-41ee-a8ea-4a3181625b08

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