Windows Update had recently stopped installing patches on my computer. The download bar moved a little, then froze and returned the same error code each time. I went through the usual connection checks. I restarted the router, switched to my hotspot, and even tried the update at different hours, but nothing changed. Meanwhile, everything else on the internet was working normally. I could stream video, sync files, and download apps with no interruptions. It was clearly a Windows issue and not something to do with the network.
The Windows glitch I didn’t notice at first
Failed updates came from leftover files
When the system prepares an update, it creates a group of temporary files that store the pieces it needs for installation. These files often stay on the computer, so Windows can continue the process without downloading the same data again. If an update fails, those files usually remain in place. Windows may try to use them again the next time you check for updates. If any of them are damaged, the installation can fail in the same way each time.
Windows doesn’t point to this folder or warn you that the cached files are the issue. It is buried deep inside the system, so most people never check it. I had not looked there either until I searched the error codes online and found others describing the same problem. In many cases, updates can fail because of a corrupted temporary file in the update cache. No network fix can replace a damaged file that is already on the computer. The fault sits inside Windows.
How I got Windows to install updates again
Deleting old data fixed the update loop
Now that the update cache was the likely cause, the next step was to clear the files in the folder Windows uses to store temporary update data. This folder is named SoftwareDistribution and sits inside the main Windows directory. The system uses it to hold updated files and related data that it downloads before installing updates. It doesn’t store personal documents, and clearing it won’t remove installed apps, though the list of installed updates may appear incomplete until Windows rebuilds it.
Before removing anything, the update services should be paused. In the Services window, I stopped both Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Service. These background programs handle update downloads and the transfer of files for Windows. While they are running, Windows may keep some of the temporary files in SoftwareDistribution in use, which can block deletion. Stopping the services pauses the update process long enough to work with the folder.
After that, I opened SoftwareDistribution and deleted its contents. Only the files inside the folder need to be removed. The folder itself should remain in place, so Windows can continue using it correctly. These were the temporary update files Windows had been using. Removing them forces the system to download fresh copies the next time you check for updates. During the next update attempt, Windows refills the folder with new data automatically. If any files refuse to delete even after the services are stopped, restart into Safe Mode and repeat the process to clear the contents of the folder.
Once the folder was cleared, I went back to the Services window and started Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Service again. This returned the update services to their usual running state. When I checked for updates afterward, Windows downloaded a clean set of files, and the installation went through without getting stuck.
If this fix doesn’t work for you
Clearing the cache fixed the problem on my system, but updates can still fail for other reasons. If the installation still stops, the next thing to check is the free space on the system drive. Windows needs enough room to download and unpack its update files, and a nearly full C drive can interrupt the process. You should also confirm that the Windows Update service is running, because updates can’t install if this background service is disabled or stuck.
When storage and services look normal, the issue might be linked to system files instead. Running an SFC scan can repair missing or damaged components that sometimes block updates from installing. For issues that sit deeper in the system, the DISM tool can repair the Windows system image and restore files that SFC cannot. These repair tools take longer to run, but they can fix problems beyond the SoftwareDistribution folder.
If updates fail after these checks, the cause is likely specific to your setup. Security tools can block update components, incomplete drivers can interfere with installation, and partial system corruption can cause errors. In such cases, backing up your files and contacting support are typically more effective than repeating the same steps.