Troubleshooting

Running into an issue on Windows Insider Preview Builds? This section can help you with some common problems.

Find information about your PC

When giving feedback or getting support, it's important that you know how to find key information about your device.

Dealing with issues

If you're seeing an issue on a Windows Insider Preview Build, here's what you should do.

1. Check the known issues

We document known issues in our flight blog posts. This is the first place you should check if you're seeing an issue. We might already be working on it.

2. Check for updates

Make sure there's not a newer build available that could fix the issue. Go to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.

Try these steps if you're not receiving updates.

3. File feedback

Tell us about the issue you're seeing in the Feedback Hub. Include as many details, screenshots, and logs as possible along with your feedback. Use these instructions to find key information about your device to file feedback.

4. Recover or reset your device

If an issue is preventing you from getting updates or using your device, you might need to recover or reset it.

Note

Before reinstalling or rolling back on your device, make sure you back up all your important files.

  • Reset your device.

    Use Reset this PC to reset your device. This will reinstall Windows on the same build that you're currently on.

    Go to Settings > System > Recovery. Under Reset this PC, select Get started. Follow directions to reset your device.

  • Roll back the device to a previous build.

    If your device was working on the previous build, you can roll it back. You can do this for up to 10 days (or until you take the next build) after installing the update without having to completely reset your device. After that, you'll have to take a new update or do a clean install.

    To roll back, go to Settings > System > Recovery. Under Go back to the previous version of Windows 11, select Get started. Follow directions to finish rolling the device back.

  • Clean install Windows or an Insider Preview build.

    For a fresh start, do a clean installation of a different Insider Preview build or the latest version of Windows 11. Do so using an ISO file. Learn more about clean installations with ISOs.

Not receiving updates

If your device isn't receiving updates, check for these issues.

  1. Check if you're already on the latest Insider Preview build.

    You might already be on the latest preview build for your channel. Check Flight Hub to see what the latest build is for your channel.

  2. Check the known issues.

    There may be an issue with the Insider Preview build you're on or the next build. Issues can prevent you getting new updates. Check recent flight blog posts to see if you're impacted by a known issue.

  3. Make sure you're running Windows 11.

    To install Windows Insider Preview Builds, you must be running a licensed version of Windows 11 on your device. You can install Windows 11 here if your device is currently running an older version or if you need to buy Windows. If you're having issues installing Windows 11, you can also download a Windows 11 Insider Preview ISO to get started.

  4. Make sure Windows is activated.

    Windows must be activated to run Windows Insider Preview builds. Go to Settings > System > Activation to check or activate your copy.

  5. Manually check for updates.

    Go to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for Updates. If you have set active hours, keep your device turned on and signed in during your off-hours, so the update can be installed.

  6. Check your program settings.

    Go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program. Make sure you've activated the Windows Insider Program on your device and that you've chosen a channel from which to receive builds. Learn more about channels.

  7. Check your data settings.

    Your privacy is important to us: you're in control of how much of your data you share with us. To run Windows Insider Preview Builds, you must allow us to see enough diagnostic data to investigate issues that you might see, like crashes and bugs. Make sure your data settings are at the right level to receive preview builds.

  8. Consider a clean install.

    If none of these options work for you, you might need to do a clean installation of Windows to reset your device. Learn more about clean installations with ISOs.

Build expiration

Insider Preview builds do expire eventually. Staying up to date is key to avoiding security risks, which is why expiration dates are important.

If your device is on an expiring build, you'll start getting notifications letting you know that you need to update. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Update and select Check for Updates to get the latest update available in your channel.

If you aren't seeing any updates available, you might need to adjust your settings or do a clean install.

Stop receiving Insider Preview builds on a given device

If you no longer want to receive Insider Preview builds, you have to unenroll your device. If you don't leave the program, you'll continue receiving emails. To unenroll your device:

  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Stop Insider Preview Builds.

  2. Depending on your channel, choose from among the available options:

Note

If you're receiving Insider Preview builds through work but aren't the administrator, you will still get preview builds until your organization leaves the program or adjusts your settings.

Leave the program

Windows Insiders help shape the future of Windows, and your participation is important to us. But if you'd like to stop getting emails and Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds from us, you can unregister and leave the program.

You can also just stop getting Insider Preview builds but stay registered to keep getting email updates from us. If so, you can unenroll your device with the steps in Stop receiving Insider Preview builds on a given device.

Leave the program now

Once you leave the program, use Stop receiving Insider Preview builds on a given device to stop getting preview builds on your devices.

Get more help

If you're still having problems, make sure you report feedback in the Feedback Hub. Then, you can also share your feedback link with us on Windows Insider X or Answers forum to get more help from our team.

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