Windows Update Troubleshooter Not Working Windows 10/11

Published by Nyau Wai Hoe - Updated on

If you’re experiencing issues with Windows Update in Windows 10/11, you can use the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter to automatically resolve them. However, sometimes the troubleshooter itself may not work, leaving you in need of other solutions to fix the errors. In this article, we’ll discuss some common issues with the Windows Update Troubleshooter and offer several ways to fix them.

See also: Troubleshooting has been disabled by Group Policy Windows 11

Windows Update Troubleshooter Not Working in Windows 10/11

Common issues with the Windows Update Troubleshooter

The Windows Update Troubleshooter can encounter various issues, such as getting stuck at initializing the diagnostic, being stuck on resolving problems, being stuck on starting BITS service, or simply not working at all. Sometimes, it may also show an error message stating that the Windows 10/11 service registration is missing or corrupted.

When running the troubleshooter, it will suggest fixes that you can apply to resolve the issues it finds. However, some errors may be identified but not fixed by the Windows Update Troubleshooter, such as the 0x803c0103 and 0x80244022 Windows Update errors. In these cases, you may need to use repair tools such as DISM and SFC.

It’s worth noting that these issues can occur in various versions of Windows, including Windows 11 or Windows 10 Pro or Home edition, and Windows Server 2016 or 2012.

How to fix Windows Update Troubleshooter not working

Here are several ways to fix the Windows Update Troubleshooter if you’re experiencing issues with it in Windows 11 or Windows 10.

Download the Windows Update Troubleshooter

If the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter isn’t working to resolve your issue or won’t even start, you can try downloading and using the Windows 10/11 Update Troubleshooter from Microsoft’s website.

  1. Download the Windows Update Troubleshooter for Windows 11/10 from here.
  2. Open the downloaded wudiag file with “Diagnostics Troubleshooting Wizard.” By default, all .diagcab files will run on “Diagnostics Troubleshooting Wizard.”Download Windows 11/10 Update troubleshooter
  3. In the “Windows Update Troubleshooting” window, click on the “Advanced” link.
  4. Make sure the “Apply repairs automatically” option is checked and enabled.Windows Update Troubleshooter
  5. Then, click on “Run as administrator” to allow the troubleshooter to run with admin privileges.
  6. In the troubleshooter, select “Windows Update.” Then, click “Next.”Troubleshoot and help prevent computer problems
  7. The Windows Update troubleshooter should start detecting problems and will return possible solutions if an error is found.

Download the latest servicing stack update (SSU)

If both the local and downloaded “Windows 10/11 Update Troubleshooter” do not work to fix your Windows Update issue, you can try to force-install the latest Servicing Stack Update (SSU). This is a common fix for when Windows Update couldn’t retrieve any updates or is always stuck at the “check for updates” status.

These issues could be due to corrupted updates in the past or missing system files, which cause Windows Update to lose track of what updates your PC needs. By installing the latest SSU, Windows Update will be able to recognize the version of the latest SSU so that it knows what updates your PC needs.

To download the most recent Servicing Stack Update, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog.
  2. In the search box, type “Servicing Stack Update” or the name of the update (KB#) and select the version that matches your operating system (e.g., Windows 10 or Windows 11, and 64-bit or 32-bit).Microsoft Windows Update catalog
  3. Click on the “Download” button next to the update to start the download.
  4. Once the download is complete, double-click on the downloaded file to run it.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest SSU.

After installing the latest SSU, restart your computer and retry Windows Update again.

Run DISM and SFC to fix Windows Update Troubleshooter errors

“Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management (DISM)” is a built-in Windows 10/11 repair tool that can automatically update files and correct servicing problems, including Windows Update problems for your Windows 10/11 image. Running DISM can help resolve issues that the “Windows 10/11 Update Troubleshooter” couldn’t fix, such as the “0x803c0103” and “0x80244022” Windows Update errors.

The “System File Checker (SFC)” is another built-in repair tool that can automatically scan for and repair corrupted and missing system files on your Windows 10/11 PC.

To run these repair tools, go to the Start menu and type CMD. From the search result, right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.” In the command prompt, enter the following commands followed by an Enter key after each line of command:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

DISM command line

The scans may take some time to complete. Enter the second command only after the first scanning is completed. When the repairs are completed, reboot your computer and try to run Windows Update again.

Besides these repair tools, you may want to run a full virus and malware scan using your antivirus software or Windows Defender. Malware or a virus could also be the cause of why your Windows Update couldn’t run or why the “Windows Update Troubleshooter” isn’t working in Windows 10/11. Run a full system scan to check for possible threats and remove them, then retry Windows Update again.

Run update using Windows 10/11 Media Creation Tool

If the Windows Update Troubleshooter fails to fix your problem, and you still can’t update your Windows 10/11, the last resolution would be to run an update using the Windows 10/11 Media Creation Tool. This tool allows you to create installation media, such as a USB drive or DVD, to install or upgrade to Windows 10/11. It can also be used to do an in-place upgrade of your current Windows installation, which may help fix update-related issues.

To use the “Media Creation Tool” to upgrade your Windows operating system, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the here for Windows 10, or go to the here for Windows 11.
  2. Click on the “Download tool now” button to download the “Windows 10/11 Media Creation Tool.”
  3. Once the download is complete, open the tool and select the “Upgrade This PC Now” option.
  4. Click on the “Next” button to proceed.
  5. Select the option to “Keep Personal Files and Apps” and click on the “Install” button to begin the installation of the latest updates for Windows 10/11.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
  7. Wait for the installation to complete, and then restart your computer.

After the restart, your Windows operating system should be up-to-date with the latest updates and fixes. This process can take some time depending on your internet speed and the complexity of the updates being installed. Therefore, it is recommended to perform this process when you have enough time and a stable internet connection.


Nyau Wai Hoe
Nyau Wai Hoe is the Founder and Chief Editor of WindowsDigitals.com. With a degree in software engineering and over 12 years of experience in the tech support industry, Nyau has established himself as an expert in the field, with a primary focus on the Microsoft Windows operating system. As a tech enthusiast, he loves exploring new technologies and leveraging them to solve real-life problems.

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