10 Ways to Fix Windows Update Stuck at 100% Issue

Keeping your Windows device up-to-date ensures you get access to the latest features and bug fixes. However, it can get frustrating if the Windows update screen gets stuck at 100%. If this has happened to you as well, keep reading as we look at 10 ways to resolve this issue on Windows 11.

Before we troubleshoot and fix the Windows update stuck at 100% issue, you should wait a while and see if the update process finishes. Certain major updates are big in size and can take up to hours to install. This might even cause your device to restart multiple times. However, if the update screen doesn’t disappear after a few hours, continue with the fixes.

1. Remove External Devices and Force Restart Windows

Depending on your usage, your Windows 11 device might be connected to various external USB devices at any given time, like a wired mouse, printer, USB stick, etc. However, your device will identify and try to install the relevant drivers for these devices. This process might end up conflicting with the update process, causing it to get stuck on the “Working on updates 100% complete” screen.

When this happens, you should remove all USB peripherals and force your device to shut down by long pressing the power button. Once done, press the power button again to turn your PC back on again. If the issue persists, proceed with the following troubleshooting fixes.

2. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

If the issue of the Windows device getting stuck on the ‘Updates are underway’ screen is due to a system issue, you can run the Windows Update troubleshooter to try and diagnose the issue. Once done, your Windows device will scan the system to try and find the cause.

Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Use the Windows + I key to open Settings.

Step 2: Ensure System is selected in the sidebar. Then, scroll down and click on Troubleshoot.

Step 3: Click on Other troubleshooters.

Step 4: Go to Windows Update and click on Run.

Wait for the troubleshooter to run. Then, check and see if any issue has been discovered and follow the on-screen instructions to fix it. If not, continue with the next fix.

3. Scan for Viruses

Viruses can corrupt your system and, in certain scenarios, cause it to cripple certain functions and features. This might also be why updates are stuck on the ‘Getting Windows ready’ screen. To fix this, run a malware scan using Windows’s security service.

We recommend the full scan option, which is more comprehensive, though it might take a while. Here’s how.

Step 1: Go to Search, type Windows Security, and open the app from the search results.

Step 2: Here, click on ‘Virus & threat protection’.

Step 3: Then, click on Scan options.

Step 4: Select Full scan and click on Scan now.

Now, wait for the scan to finish. Then, check and see if any issues have been detected.

4. Set Windows Update Services to Automatic

Windows Update Services ensures your device periodically checks, downloads, and installs the latest updates, all on its own. However, if these Services are not set to automatic, it might prevent them from working properly.

This might also be why your Windows 11 device keeps getting stuck on the ‘Updates are underway’ screen. To fix this, ensure the Windows Update Services are set to automatic. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Go to Search, type Services, and open the app from the search results.

Step 2: Here, double-click on Windows Update.

Step 3: Click on the Startup type drop-down menu and select Automatic.

Step 4: Then, click on Start.

Step 5: Once done, click on Apply and OK.

This will restart Windows Update Services and set it to Automatic.

5. Restart in Safe Mode

Certain Windows functions or features might get in the way of installing updates. To ensure this is not the case, you can boot your Windows 11 device in Safe Mode. This will limit all Windows-related features and services. Then, proceed to restart Windows 11 normally to try and install the update. If this still doesn’t work, move on to the following method.

6. Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder

The SoftwareDistribution folder on Windows contains components important for installing Windows updates. So, if it gets corrupted, you might have issues installing the latest updates. To fix this, rename the existing SoftwareDistribution to something else. Once done, Windows will automatically create a new folder, thus solving the issue.

Before starting, ensure you’re using an account with Administrative rights or you can’t make the required changes. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Use the Windows + R key to open the Run window.

Step 2: Here, type services.msc and press enter to run the command.

Step 3: Right-click on Windows Update and click on Stop.

Step 4: Then, open the File Explorer and go to the C:\Windows folder.

Step 5: On this page, locate the SoftwareDistribution folder.

Step 6: Click on the folder, and once the options appear, click on Rename.

Step 7: Now, rename the folder to something else, like ‘SoftwareDistributionOld’, ‘Old SoftwareDistribution’, etc.

Step 8: Then, go to the Services window and again right-click on Windows Update.

Step 9: Here, click on Start.

Once done, try installing the update again to see if the issue has been fixed. If not, continue to the next fix.

7. Run SFC and DISM Scan

You can also run the SFC and DISM, or System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management scans on your Windows 11 device to find and repair any corrupt or missing system files that might get in the way when installing the latest updates. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Right-click on Start and click on Terminal (Admin) from the options. If prompted, click on Yes.

Step 2: Click on the down arrow and select Command Prompt.

Step 3: Then, enter the following command and press enter to execute.

SFC /scannow

Step 4: Once the scan is complete, type the following commands one by one and press enter after each command to execute.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once this is done, restart your Windows device. Then, try installing the update once again.

8. Perform a Clean Boot

If a third-party app is causing the update to get stuck on the getting Windows ready screen, you can perform a Clean Boot and restart Windows with a limited set of Windows programs and drivers. Then, try installing the update again. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Go to Search, type System Configuration, and open the app from the search results.

Step 2: From the General tab, select Selective startup. Then, go to the Services tab.

Step 3: Here, check the ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ box and click on Disable all.

Step 4: Then, go to the Startup tab and click on ‘Open Task Manager.’

Step 5: Here, one by one, select the apps and click on Disable. Repeat this process for other third-party apps.

Step 6: Then, click on Start.

Step 7: Go to Power and click on Restart.

Wait for your device to restart. Then, try installing the update again. Once done, uninstall any recently installed third-party apps that might be causing this issue.

9. Rollback Windows Update

Issues with any previous update can also hinder your Windows device from installing the next one. When this happens, you can roll back or uninstall the previous update and try again. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Go to Search, type Uninstall updates, and open the app from the search results.

Step 2: Here, go to the relevant update and click on Uninstall.

Step 3: Again, click on Uninstall to confirm.

Now, wait for Windows to finish uninstalling the update. Once your device finishes restarting, try downloading and installing the update again.

10. Perform System Restore in WinRE

On the off chance you’re having trouble getting your Windows device to work, you can also perform a System Restore in WinRE, also known as Windows Recovery Environment. This will help you revert your PC back to a previously workable point, all from the Advanced Startup Options menu. For more details, check out our detailed explainer on using system restore in Windows 11.

Finish Installing Windows Updates

While installing the latest updates is a must, it can get frustrating when your device gets stuck during the update. So, we hope this article helped you understand and resolve the Windows update stuck at 100% issue. Let us know in the comments which fix worked for you!