8 Methods to Fix Windows Update Stuck at 0% while Downloading

Windows security significantly relies on windows updates, so if you have tried to update your Windows and encounter windows update stuck at 0 downloading, then you are in the right place to fix your Windows update error.

I will describe the reason for this error and the methods to fix it if your windows 10 is stuck at 0.

Windows frequently release updates to protect the users from bugs and viruses.

The users have to allow the windows update to run in the background to stay protected from any virus or bugs.

If the users do not allow windows updates, they might get affected by viruses or bugs.


Why updating Windows necessary?

Computer operating systems such as Windows and Mac need to be kept up-to-date regularly, but most of us don’t know why updating Windows 10 is necessary.

Windows and other operating systems have been in use for several years now, and both can run applications just fine without having the latest patch installed.

One of the reasons people don’t like updating their computers is that they don’t realize the reason behind updating.

Most users expect changes in the whole UI, so they might not update the computer next time if they don’t see it changing.


How to Fix if Windows Update Stuck at 0%?

If you know the reasons behind an update, then you might have tried to update Windows 10, and then you see the Windows 10 update stuck at 0% for quite a long time and don’t know what to do now and how you can fix it.

Don’t worry, I have got you covered. I have some methods with the help of you can get rid of the Windows update stuck at 0%.


8 Easiest Methods to fix Windows stuck at 0%:

Hopefully, these eight methods can help you out.

1: Wait and Give the Update Some Time

Windows update can be stuck for multiple reasons, so before implementing the changes, you should always ensure that it has been stuck for quite a long time.

If your computer is slow like mine, then you should wait a little bit more to check if there’s an actual issue behind it.

Many of us do not like to wait but give a couple of hours to the update because sometimes the blue line of downloading process suddenly jumps.

It may seem boring or extreme, but you don’t want to start interfering with these fundamental processes unless you have to.


2: Restart your Computer

Sometimes restarting your computer can solve many issues.

Whenever we encounter any problem with our computer, the first and foremost solution from an IT expert would be to restart the computer.

Because restarting the computer will delete all the temporary memory.

The computer will start from scratch with everything on the System.

If the update is stuck, then restart your computer and wait for a little to see if the update is progressing.

If your internet connection is slow, you have to wait a little longer, and even after the issue persists, you have to hold down the power button to do a hard reset of your pc.


3: Run Microsoft’s troubleshooter Program

Window knows the update process can cause several problems in a computer that is why Windows developed the Microsoft Troubleshooter program.

Troubleshooters are designed to diagnose and automatically solve computer problems quickly; they are fantastic to start with, but they do not solve every problem.

How to start Windows Troubleshooter?

Follow the step below to open and run a Windows troubleshooter.

  1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  2. Now select the type and run the troubleshooter as an administrator.
  3. Allow the administrator permission to run the troubleshooter.

4: Run Windows in Safe Mode

The sade mode works as a primary state of Windows. Users are allowed to some limited set of files and drivers.

Observing the Safe Mode in Windows can help you solve the narrow problems of Windows.

Therefore there are fewer chances of getting rogued with the Windows update.

How to run into Safe Mode?

To access the Windows safe boot mode, you need to press the key combination Ctrl+F8 during the computer’s startup process, and then you can choose the Safe Mode from the screen.

If you have a faster computer with a faster SSD installed, you might not get a chance to do this process.

So, you can try several times to be able to do that process.

Once you get into Safe Mode, try running the Windows update, this time, no file would interfere with the Windows update.


5: Go back in time with System Restore.

System Restore is an essential feature in Windows that helps restore or revert the compter’s state from some previous point in time.

It has helped solve several different complicated Windows problems.

How to open System Restore?

If you have already created a system restore point, you can open System restore to restore from the previous point.

Here’s how you can open System Restore.

  1. Click on the Windows button on the taskbar.
  2. Search Control Panel and open it.

    open control panel
  3. Now on the top right, there’s a search bar, search “recovery” in it.

    Open Restore
  4. Open Recovery, and then you’ll find three options there.

    Select Open System restore
  5. One of them will be system restore, open it.
  6. If you have had a System Restore point, you can follow the further procedure to complete the wizard.

You will see an error like the picture below if you never created a restore point.

Restore Point could be not found
| Image Used Under CC License. Restore Point could not be found

6: Run Antivirus

If the above methods could not help you out, try installing antivirus to see whether any malware or virus causes the problem.

If you use Windows 10, the default and pre-installed antivirusWindows Defendercan help you fix this issue.

You can also try some third-party antivirus software, such asavast, to help you out in this case.

You can easily download avast antivirus, install the free version, and run the scan after installing it.


7: Free up Disk Space

If you don’t have enough storage, you won’t be able to download anything more than the storage you have.

Make sure you have at least 15 GB of free storage left in yourCdrive or where you have installed your computer’s operating system.

If you have less than 15 GB of space left, you should try deleting some unnecessary files from the C drive.


8: Restart Windows Update Service

Windows Update Serviceis a computer program developed by Microsoft to manage Windows updates and newly released updates from Microsoft.

Restarting Windows Update Service has solved many users’ “Windows Update Stuck at 0%” problem.

To do that, you can follow the given steps.

  1. Search Windows Run from the search bar, or Press Windows Key+ R.
  2. Typeservices.mscin Windows run dialogue box, and then hit enter.

    type services msc in RUN
  3. Scroll and find Windows Update service.
  4. Right-click on it and Stop it.

    Stop Windows Update service
  5. Now, navigate toC:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
  6. Delete all the files and folders in it.

    Delete the Windows Update distribution files
  7. Now restart the Windows Update Service, and check whether it has started working correctly or not.

Summing Up

If your window is stuck at 0%, then there are many possibilities why it is stuck at 0%, such as insufficient storage, file interference, any virus infection or the Windows update is blocked by Windows firewall.

The easiest solution is to wait a couple of hours, and if it does not work out, you can follow the given answers or fixing methods to help you out.

If none of the methods could help you out, you can comment on this article. I will respond as soon as possible.


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