The reason behind the long wait of the Windows update isn’t clear. As mentioned earlier, some of the users do get the update fairly quickly while others have to go through 24 hours or even longer update periods. In most of these cases, the update seems to be stuck at a certain percentage but it actually isn’t. This is the time required for the majority of these updates and there is not a lot you can do to reduce this time. Fortunately, there are some cases where the update seems stuck and restarting the machine resolves that issue. In a minority of the cases, the update might actually be stuck or frozen because of antivirus or some other program conflicting with the update. But, whatever may be the reason, there are a couple of things that you can do to check whether the update is actually stuck or the update is simply taking a lot of time. In some cases, the update might fail to install.
Tip
Make sure you have enough space available for the update to install. If there isn’t enough space for the Windows update to install, it might get stuck at a certain percentage
Method 1: Restart the Computer
Before you follow the instructions in this method, keep in mind that this can go either way. For some people, restarting solved the Windows update stuck issue while the Windows reverted back to its original state for other users. So, if you have waited 20+ hours for the update to get to 90% and it seems stuck, reboot the system at your own risk. You might lose all the progress. You might have to reinitiate the update and go through the 20+ hour wait all over again. But, if you are willing to take the risk or if you are sure that the update is stuck i.e. you are seeing the loading icon for 4-5 hours, then reboot. Once the system is rebooted, the installation will finish without any issues.
Method 2: Hard Reboot
If you believe the update really is stuck and you want to try something else then hard reboot is your option. Once you have performed a hard reboot, retrying the Windows Update might work for you. You might be skeptical about this method because Windows explicitly tells you not to restart the PC and wait for the Windows to update. But, if the Windows really is stuck or hung at the stage then you really have no other option than to restart the PC. However, it still is your choice and you can choose not to reboot. You can wait an hour or 2 more to confirm. Note: Performing the steps given below will make you lose all the update progress. You will have to start the Windows update again and you will have to wait lots of hours again. So, try this if you are willing to wait or if you are sure your Windows update is stuck Here are the steps for performing the hard reboot Once you log in, try to update the Windows and see if it works. Note: Once you have done the reboot, you might see the Advanced Boot Options screen instead of the regular log in screen. There are also cases where you might see the Startup Settings screen. If you see one of these screens, simply select the Safe Mode with Networking and try to update the Windows again.
Method 3: Windows Update in Clean Boot
Note: Performing the steps given below will make you lose all the update progress. You will have to start the Windows update again and you will have to wait lots of hours again. So, try this if you are willing to wait or if you are sure your Windows update is stuck If the problem is caused by a conflict with another application or program then starting your computer in a Clean Boot state will solve the issue. Even if it doesn’t solve the issue, it most certainly will rule out the possibility of a third party application conflicting with the update.
Retry Windows Update once the system is rebooted.
Method 4: Reset Windows Update Components
Note: Performing the steps given below will make you lose all the update progress. You will have to start the Windows update again and you will have to wait lots of hours again. So, try this if you are willing to wait or if you are sure your Windows update is stuck If nothing else worked, try to reset the Windows Update Components manually and try to install the Windows Update again. Here are the steps for resetting the Windows Update Components
Close the command prompt and reboot. Retry Windows update once the system is successfully rebooted. Note: Navigate to this website, download and run the executable for your specific Windows version and architecture.
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