Latest Windows Update Problems and How to Fix Them

Windows 10 and Windows 11 have had their share of problems. According to the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC), the operating system experienced nearly 1280 security vulnerabilities in 2023. Microsoft quickly moves in to fix many of these security holes in the system, so it’s essential to stay up to date. Yet, Windows updates can bring their own problems. This guide shows what to do when an update does more harm than good.

Note: if a problem here is marked as “FIXED,” it means Microsoft has rolled out an update that fixes the problem, and the solution is simply to make sure your system is fully updated. If a problem is not yet “FIXED,” then either read that entry for workarounds to that specific problem or scroll down the page for advice on how to roll back updates.

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[Not Fixed] December 29, 2024, Windows 11 Version 1.421.1073.0, KB2267602 Security Intelligence Update

Problems: Fails to install | Update keeps reinstalling | Infinite loop error | Conflicts with other software

Microsoft regularly releases security intelligence updates for its Microsoft Defender antivirus product, part of Windows Security. The latest cloud update (version 1.421.1073.0), launched on December 29, 2024, aims to keep your malware definitions up to date and protect you from zero-hour threats originating from artificial intelligence bots, among other malwares.

The primary issue with KB2267602 is that it may fail to install on some end-user devices. The downloaded file might either stop running before reaching the installation stage or get stuck at 0% installed. It may also keep reinstalling frequently. Most conventional solutions, such as running the troubleshooter, may not succeed in resolving the installation problem.

There are two main reasons behind the error: conflicts with other software, such as the Edge browser or another antivirus program, which may need to be uninstalled first, or an infinite loop problem causing the PC to restart multiple times.

To address the first issue, the best approach is to cancel the update midway and later manually install the latest version of Defender online. You can find the versions for 32-bit, 64-bit, and ARM devices at this link. Additionally, you can try resetting Windows update components using commands like net stop wuauserv. For the second issue, apply the same fixes as you would for a Windows infinite reboot loop problem.

Some users would have encountered update issues with 0x800 error codes. If you’re unable to get past them, consider pausing KB2267602 for a few weeks. There are many other ways you can unfreeze a stuck update.

[Not Fixed] December 10, 2024, Windows 11 Version 24H2, KB5048667 Patch Tuesday Update

Problems: Gaming performance issues | Update fails to install | Start menu stops responding

The Patch Tuesday update for December 2024, KB5048667, addresses previous security issues in Windows 11. These fixes include various 0x800 errors, frozen screens, and annoying BSOD crashes. Additionally, it addresses File Explorer problems. There will be some new feature releases in January 2025 related to Copilot on Copilot+ PCs.

While there weren’t many issues this time, KB5048667 has been causing problems for gamers. Frequent players of Roblox and League of Legends may experience screen stuttering, which can be quite frustrating. Fortunately, we have effective solutions for these screen issues during gaming.

Additionally, the update fails to install on many devices, and there are also Start menu problems. These issues can be easily resolved using the simple solutions provided here.

To deal with update failures, you may want to pause the update for a few weeks until next month when the issues have been cleared up. Opting for a cloud-based device reset (while keeping your files) is the best way to deal with any installation errors, but it consumes a lot of time.

If you’re going to install an update with possible system freezes and a stuck installation, it’s a good idea to run the Windows 11 Update Troubleshooter first. Find it by navigating to System -> Troubleshoot -> Other troubleshooters.

The troubleshooter will fix any issues that were preventing installation, but mostly security settings, missing or corrupt files, or problems with Service Registration. Other issues could be connected to Windows Network Diagnostics, IsPostback_RC_PendingUpdates, WaaSMedicService, and BITS service.

Note: if you’ve missed many updates, we recommend reinstalling Windows 11 from the cloud via Windows installation assistant, ISO, media creation, or another tool. If you can’t install an update on your PC on your normal schedule, it’s always easier to do it from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

[Fixed] November 21, 2024, Windows 11 Version 24H2, KB5046740 Cumulative Update

Problems: Update fails to install | Search box visibility problems | Microsoft Store games not downloading

KB5046740 is a non-security preview release update under the 24H2 version. Salient highlights of this update include adding touchscreen edge gestures, a shortened date and time in system tray, and new sharing options to Android from context menu. It offers bugs and fixes on screen display, and fixes some of the earlier update issues.

If you’re on 23H2, you will need to download KB5046732 which was also released on November 21.

You may run into some problems such as when you automatically hide the taskbar, the search box disappears leaving behind the search icon only. If your taskbar disappears too, there are these fixes to try.

Note: Windows 11 is supporting 23H2 updates simultaneously. You will need to have the Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available option active to transition from 23H2 to 24H2. If you don’t want to wait, there is a tweak that allows you to reinstall Windows 11 using the Installation Assistant.

Tip: Also, follow our detailed guide to identify and resolve the most common Windows errors.

[Fixed] November 12, 2024, Windows 11 Version 24H2, KB5046617 Cumulative Update

Problems: 0x800f0991 and 0x800f0922 errors | Update stalling | Black screen problems

KB5046617 was Windows 11’s Patch Tuesday update for November 2024. It fixes many of the issues in previous 24H2 updates, while introducing new ones. The update was timed along with KB5046633 for 23H2 users.

The biggest challenge with this update is that it fails to install with error codes such as 0x800f0991 and 0x800f0922. The issue with black screens has persisted. One reason you may face black screen is due to too many applications especially on startup.

For any other frozen screen issues during an update, I generally use the advanced startup troubleshooting keys and check for memory problems using the Memory Diagnostic tool. The problem is also connected to your RAM performance. In many cases, dual-channel RAM boosts a PC’s performance,

Other 24H2 features: Windows 11 now officially supports Wi-Fi 7. It also has an upgraded file explorer and Quick Settings menu. It also supports browser notifications on lock screen, Android and iPhone Phone Link upgrades, enhancements in Remote Desktop and Power Management.

The Windows 11 24H2 update was officially released on October 1, 2024, so the KB5043178 update is backdated. You may not have seen this update in your screen. If you did, it’s better to get past it, and migrate to a more advanced 24H2 update. Among other problems, may have run into Wi-Fi network connection failures.

Bad news: Microsoft mandated all Windows 11 Pro and Home users to compulsorily migrate to version 23H2 or 24H2 by Oct. 8, 2024. If you’re still stuck in version 22H2, you may have to reinstall Windows. See above.

Extra tips: if you’re facing unexpected shutdowns, try removing schedules for the shutdowns. Learn how to reset all audio settings for any audio-related issues.

Error Code 0x800f0831

Problem: Update fails to install

This is one of the more common errors that may occur when you try to update Windows.

Essentially, the above error code means your update failed, but there are several options to troubleshoot this problem:

If there’s a conflict with your VPN or proxy server, make sure it’s completely disabled when trying to update Windows. You may even need to uninstall and reinstall the software.
Scan for corrupt system files.
For this and other update errors, try finding the update in the Microsoft Update Catalog, then install it manually.

[Not Fixed] December 10, 2024, Windows 10 Version 22H2, KB5048652 Security Update

Problems: Update breaks network drivers | PC boot time delayed

As Windows 10 is being phased out, despite its widespread use, Microsoft has stopped bringing important features to its updates. KB5048652 is a minor security update that takes care of BSOD issues and other problems in previous updates. Unfortunately, it brought a few errors of its own.

For starters, the update broke network drivers for some users. There are various solutions. The problem occurred on my Windows 11 device as well. All I had to do was uninstall a VPN software which was interfering with my network adapter. There are other ways to fix the network adapter issues.
The KB5048652 update also increased the boot times from 30 seconds to as much as 3 minutes for many users. To resolve this, you should undo fast startup and minimize the number of startup apps.

[Fixed] November 21, 2024, Windows 10 Version 22H2, KB5046714 Non-Security Update

Problems: Users can’t uninstall specific applications

KB5046714 is a minor update which fixes Win32 shortcuts not backing up to the cloud and move/copy issues while dragging and dropping files from a cloud files folder, such as this one with Mountain Duck.

The biggest and annoying issue with this update is that a bug is causing a failure to uninstall applications especially various packaged apps. There are many ways to get rid of stubborn programs, and the PowerShell method is most effective.

[Fixed] November 12, 2024, Windows 10 Version 22H2, KB5046613 Servicing Stack Update

Problems: Black screen problems | Update fails to install | Single sign-on (SSO) failures

The November Patch Tuesday update, KB5046613, for Windows 10 brings some minor fixes in which games were not starting properly. It also fixes issues with apps such as Quick Assist, Microsoft Teams, Windows Narrator and others.

The main issue that was reported involved some users experiencing black screens while trying to log on to SSO in some applications. If you want to deal with the black screen issues, change the advanced power settings, and make slight adjustments in the GPU. If your update fails to install, see the fixes in above sections for Windows 11.

More fixes: are you facing the path specified error? Solve it using one of these methods. To prevent an automatic restart, use one of these methods.

Fix and Avoid Broken Windows Updates

If the problem you’ve encountered with a new Windows update is that the install stops at a certain percentage, or more generally, that it’s failing to install altogether, try installing the update from PowerShell.

Open PowerShell as administrator by typing it into the Start menu search. In PowerShell, use this command:

Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate

It may ask you to install and import the NuGet provider. Press Y for Yes, and let it install the package.

You may get a warning that you are installing the modules from an untrusted repository. Type A to allow all the changes.

Check for the latest Windows updates by typing the following into PowerShell:

Get-WindowsUpdate

Once you’ve confirmed that there are updates to install, type the following command. You may further be asked if you want to perform this action, to which you must type A to finalize.

Install-WindowsUpdate

Wait for the broken Windows updates to heal themselves. They will automatically execute in the PowerShell window.

Tip: how does PowerShell differ from Command Prompt? Read on to find out.

Install Optional Updates

If you access the Windows update screen by going to Settings -> Windows Update -> Advanced Options -> Additional Options, you will find the Optional Updates menu.

These updates are designed specifically to address features, quality, and driver issues for recent Windows updates. They become “proper” updates a few weeks later, once they’ve been thoroughly tested.

These updates are still pretty stable, though, and may be worth a shot if a recent update has broken something in Windows.

Uninstall Windows Updates

You can uninstall smaller Windows updates (to roll back builds, see the next section) if needed.

In Windows 10, go to Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features -> Installed updates.

Scroll down in the main pane to the Microsoft Windows heading, and you’ll see all of the KB and security updates for Windows 10, along with the install dates. Right-click the one you want to uninstall, and reboot your PC.

Windows 11 also has the option to uninstall recent updates. Visit Settings -> Windows Update -> Update History -> Uninstall updates, and click the Uninstall button next to the update you want to eliminate. In this example, we are uninstalling an update for the month of May 2024.

How to Roll Back Windows Builds

After every major update, Windows gives you a 10-day window to roll back to a previous version. It’s a useful feature and should give you enough time to judge whether you have a problematic update on your hands. Of course, this won’t recover your files if Windows deletes them, but at least you’ll be on a more stable version of the OS.

Go to Settings -> Update & security -> Recovery in Windows 10 or Settings -> System -> Recovery in Windows 11.

Below Reset this PC is the option to Go back to the previous version of Windows.

Click Get started, then follow the steps to roll back Windows. Again, this option is only available for 10 days after a Windows build update.

Check Your Windows Build

Before looking into rolling back and fixing broken Windows updates, check the build of Windows you’re currently using to confirm which issues are affecting you.

Go to Settings -> Windows Update -> Update history (in Windows 11) or Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update -> View Update history (in Windows 10).

In the new window, click the arrow next to Feature Updates to see the version of Windows you’re currently using, and click Quality Updates to see all of the smaller KB updates you have installed.

You will also find Definition Updates, which are security intelligence updates related to Microsoft Defender.

At the bottom of the list, you may find Other Updates concerning programs such as the Windows Malicious Software Removal tool, Intelligence updates, and security patches.

Pause Windows Updates

To avoid getting the above update problems and more, take over control when Windows updates. This way, you can hold off getting updates the moment Microsoft rolls them out, monitor the news for a bit to see if any significant errors crop up, then manually do the update yourself.

If you’re running Windows 11, go to Settings -> Windows Update -> More options -> Pause updates, and choose the number of weeks you wish to defer updates in the future (from the default of one week to up to five weeks).

In Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, or S, postpone updates by checking the same option under Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update. On some Windows 10 versions, it may be referred to as Defer instead of Pause and under a different heading.

Tip: did you know that Windows comes with a Super Administrator account? Learn how to activate it.

Completely Block Windows Updates

If you want to completely block Windows updates indefinitely, disable the main Windows Update service through the Registry Editor.

Click Start, type regedit, open the Registry Editor, and navigate to the following path:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WaaSMedicSvc

Right-click on Start to modify it, then change its Value data to 4.

Reboot your PC, then go to the Services window by using the Search function in Windows. Disable the Windows Update service in the same window by setting its startup type as Disabled.

Few things on PC are more frustrating than an update – ostensibly to improve performance – borking your system. Unfortunately, Microsoft still has work to do in this respect. Other issues with Windows include the Microsoft Store not working and a malfunctioning microphone. We can help with these, too!

Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Sayak Boral.

Sayak Boral –
Staff Writer

Sayak Boral is a technology writer with over eleven years of experience working in different industries including semiconductors, IoT, enterprise IT, telecommunications OSS/BSS, and network security. He has been writing for MakeTechEasier on a wide range of technical topics including Windows, Android, Internet, Hardware Guides, Browsers, Software Tools, and Product Reviews.

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