🏠 » Help

Solving Windows Update Error – We Cant Complete the Install Due to a Service Shutdown

Help
Reading 7 min Views 11

Fixing “We Could Not Complete the Update” Error in Windows

As Windows users, we’ve all encountered annoying errors when trying to update our operating systems. One of the common errors many of us face is the vague "We could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down" message. This frustrating error stops us from getting those critical security patches and new features.

After digging into some insightful tech forum discussions, we’ve uncovered several effective solutions to fix this Windows update error for good. In this post, we’ll walk through the top tricks to get Windows updating properly again.

Restart the Windows Update Service

Often, restarting the Windows Update service itself is enough to get past the error. Here are the steps:

  1. Press the Windows key and R key together to open the Run dialog box.

  2. Type "services.msc" and click OK to open the Services panel.

    How do I fix Windows 10 not installing a security update?

    If you’re trying a security update, navigate to the Microsoft Update Catalog, and search for the KB number of the security update that’s failing to install. Use the System File Checker. At this point, there may likely be a problem with your Windows 10 installation. Run the System File Checker to check for, and hopefully repair, any issues.

    How do I uninstall Windows 10 updates?

    Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open the Settings app. Select Update & Security in Settings. On the right pane, select View update history. Select Uninstall updates at the top. From the updates list on your screen, find the most recent update and select that update. Select the Uninstall option at the top.

  3. Find the Windows Update service, right-click it, and choose Restart. This restarts the stopped or disabled service.

  4. The Windows Update service should now have a "Running" status. Try checking for updates again.

Uninstall Conflicting Antivirus Software

Third-party antivirus tools like McAfee and Norton can sometimes interfere with system updates, triggering the error. Uninstalling the antivirus app may fix the issue:

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.

  2. Locate your antivirus app and select Uninstall.

  3. Restart your PC and try Windows Update again. Reinstall antivirus only if updating works.

Download Latest Servicing Stack Update

Microsoft releases monthly patches called Servicing Stack Updates (SSUs) that update the Windows Update components themselves. Downloading the latest SSU could potentially fix your issue:

  1. Open https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx.

  2. Search for "Servicing stack update for Windows 10" with your Windows version.

  3. Download and install the latest SSU release.

  4. Restart your device and check for updates again.

    How to fix Windows 10 not working?

    Check for Updates and install all updates available. If the issue persists, you can perform Repair Upgrade , , it will repair and replace damaged system files. This will also update your computer to the latest version of Windows. Step 1: Download the Microsoft Media Creation Tool.

    Why does Windows 10 not update on restart?

    Windows 10 won’t update on restart. Windows 10 won’t update because of BIOS. We just list some factors may lead to Windows 10 update failed. It is obvious that other reasons also can lead to Windows 10 upgrade errors. But no matter what causes lead to Windows 10 not updating problem, you can try to use the following 7 methods to have a try.

Repair Corrupted System Files

Damaged Windows system files can also prevent successful updates. Running System File Checker (SFC) scans and repairs any corrupted files:

  1. Type "Command Prompt" into the Windows search box.

  2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

  3. Entersfc /scannowand hit Enter to run the scan.

  4. SFC will check for and restore corrupted files. Restart when finished.

  5. Attempt the Windows Update again after the scan completes.

Clean Up Windows Update Cache

If the Windows Update database itself gets corrupted, it can halt updates with errors. Rebuilding the update cache may get updates applying again:

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt as administrator.

  2. Enter the following commands (press Enter after each):

net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc

  1. Restart your PC after the commands complete. The Windows Update cache is rebuilt.

    How do I fix a Windows 11 update error?

    Find Windows Installer Service. Right-click Windows Installer Services and select Start. You can run the Windows update troubleshooter on your Windows 11 computer with the following steps. Right-click the taskbar’s Start icon to select Settings. Scroll down the System tab to select Troubleshoot.

    How do I fix the Windows 10 update error?

    Open the Windows Update troubleshooter by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type troubleshooter, and then clickTroubleshooting. Under System and Security, click Fix problems with Windows Update.

    Does Windows 10 automatically download updates?

    Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs all updates. This includes security updates, feature updates, and driver updates provided through Windows Update. This is generally a good thing, but if a driver or update causes problems you can uninstall it and block Windows from downloading it again.

  2. Try checking for updates again. The error should be resolved.

Refresh Windows With an ISO File

If all else fails, completely refreshing your Windows installation using an ISO file will overwrite any corrupted files causing issues with updates.

  1. Download the Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft’s website that matches your version.

  2. Burn it to a DVD or copy to a USB drive.

  3. Boot your PC from the installation media.

  4. Choose to keep personal files when prompted and complete the refresh.

  5. Once Windows is freshly installed, check for updates again.

With some dedicated troubleshooting using the above solutions, you can finally squash that annoying "could not complete install" error for good. Let us know in the comments if one of these steps resolved your Windows Update issue!

References

  1. https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/cannot-update-windows-because-service-was-shutting-down.html
  2. https://ugetfix.com/ask/fix-we-could-not-complete-the-install-because-an-update-service-was-shutting-down/

How to repair a corrupt Windows Windows Update update?

Here’s how to run DISM (Dism.exe) tool in Windows 10 to repair corrupted Windows Update system files: Step (1): At first, right-click on the Windows 10 Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) option to open Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

How do I fix “we couldn’t complete the updates” error?

One of these is Windows Update troubleshooter, and this is what you can use to potentially resolve the “We Couldn’t Complete the Updates” error. Launch the Settings app by pressing Windows + I keys at the same time. On the Settings window, select Update & Security. Choose Troubleshoot from the sidebar on the left.

Why can’t I update Windows 10?

Here are the potential causes for the “We couldn’t complete the updates. Undoing changes” error on Windows: Incorrect EFI partition ID. Incomplete download of update files. Issues with necessary services. Incompatibility with previous updates or system. Missing apps, like Microsoft Edge, or optional features.

How to fix Windows 10 update error?

If the issue still persists, Please try performing an In-place Upgrade. It will definitely help in resolving update errors. Performing this can repair broken operating system files while your personal files, settings and installed applications will not be removed.

WindoQ