Here are solutions to some common problems with installing updates. You might be able to automatically fix some problems by running the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
Did you try to install the update again manually? There are some errors that are simply a matter of bad timing, and they can be caused by busy websites and slow Internet connections, or a number of other factors. Sometimes you can fix these problems by trying to install the updates again. For more info about solving connection problems, see How to solve connection problems with Windows Update.
Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), tapping or clicking Settings, tapping or clicking Change PC settings, and then tapping or clicking Update and recovery.
Tap or click Check now, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your PC.
If updates are found, tap or click Install updates.
Read and accept the license terms, and then tap or click Finish if the update requires it. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
You might need to restart your PC to finish installing some updates. Save and close all your files and apps before you restart so you don't lose anything.
Did you accept the Microsoft Software License Terms? If not, install the update again and review and accept the license terms.
Review any error messages. If an error message about license terms or canceled updates is displayed, tap or click Try again, and wait until you're prompted to review the license terms.
Accept the license terms, and wait to see if the update is installed successfully.
Is there enough free space on your PC? If you need more free space on your hard drive, you might need to uninstall apps, delete your temporary Internet files, delete files that you don't use, or empty the Recycle Bin, and then try again to install updates. To check the amount of space available on your hard drive and see what can be freed up, you can use the Disk Cleanup tool that's included in Windows.
Tap or click to open Disk Cleanup.
Did you stop the installation process or disconnect from the Internet? If you did, check for updates again when you're back online, and install any updates that were canceled or interrupted.
Were you installing a driver update? Driver updates for devices such as video cards can occasionally cause errors because the files being installed are damaged or aren't the right files for your Windows operating system. Windows Update should provide you with the most up-to-date drivers for your Windows operating system. However, if you have a problem installing device drivers from Windows Update, contact the manufacturer of the device.
Windows Update keeps an update history so that you can check which updates were installed and when.
Tap or click View your update history.
You can hide the update, and then Windows Update won't offer it to you again unless you choose to restore it.
We recommend that you don't hide any Important updates.
Tap or click to open Control Panel.
Tap or click System and Security, and then tap or click Windows Update.
Do one of the following:
If you have any important updates, click the link that tells you important updates are available.
If you have any optional updates, click the link that tells you optional updates are available.
Select any update that you want to hide, press and hold or right-click it, and then tap or click Hide update.
You need to restore the update to the list, and then install it.
Tap or click Restore hidden updates.
Select the update that you want to install, and then tap or click Restore.
Windows will automatically check for updates, and then prompt you to install the update that you restored, as well as any new updates that might be available.
This happens when a more recent update addresses the same thing as the update that you tried to restore. Windows Update only offers you the more recent update.
When you start your PC after missing a scheduled update, Windows will check for updates. You can install them immediately or postpone them. If your PC is on during the next scheduled update, the updates will be installed then. You can also install any available updates when you shut down your PC.
Some updates apply to files or services that Windows is using, so these updates can't be installed while Windows is running. You should save your work, close any open apps, and then restart your PC to finish the update process.
If your PC stops responding while it’s checking for updates, or while it’s installing updates, here are some steps you can try to fix the problem.
Try checking for the updates again.
If step 1 doesn’t work, try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
If you continue to experience problems, you can try to search the forums or ask a question on the Microsoft Community website.
Use System Restore to restore your PC to an earlier point in time. To do this, follow these steps:
Turn your PC off by pressing the power button, and then turn your PC back on by pressing the button again.
Wait for the Automatic Repair screen to appear.
If this screen doesn't appear, repeat step 1a until Automatic Repair appears.
Next to the System Restore option, tap or click Restore.
Try installing the updates again.