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Quick Fixes for Windows 11 Update Stuck Are Underway Issue
Installing Windows 11 from Windows Update but getting stuck at 0%, 61%, 73%, 99%, etc? Ease your mind and read this detailed post to learn a step-by-step tutorial to run 5 quick fixes to the Windows 11 stuck on updates are underway issue.
by Lily Updated on June 12, 2024
An error occurs: Windows 11 stuck on updates that are underway
“My laptop has been stuck on the "updates are underway, please keep your computer on" for about half an hour now it normally only takes 5 minutes at most, how long should I wait, and if it doesn't go ahead what can I do?"
When installing Windows 11 from Windows Update, some users find the Windows 11 download stuck. The screen is showing: that updates are underway, please keep your computer on.
How come the issue is that updates are underway on Windows 11? It is possible that the updates are being downloaded in the background but the percentage marker freezes due to slow Internet connection speed or power interruptions. Also, incompatible drivers like Conexant audio device drivers can cause Windows 11 installation stuck. How to get past this issue? Please move on to the next part.
👉 How to fix Windows 11 update stuck at 0%, 61%, 99%, 100%
Don't upgrade to Windows 11 before backing up your computer
It is great if you upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 or update Windows 11 to version 23H2 successfully. However, some users are frustrated with the Windows 11 update issues. For example, desktop icons move unexpectedly between monitors. What's worse, they found some files missing after the Windows 11 update.
How to deal with the error that certain files are lost after the Windows 11 update? A prior backup is the answer. I recommend you back up your computer before upgrading to Windows 11 with AOMEI Backupper Standard. It offers you all-around backup solutions with flexible settings.
AOMEI Backupper- Multiple backup solutions: You are allowed to create a backup for Windows OS, internal/external hard disks, partitions/volumes, and specific folders as per your need.
- Schedule Backup settings: You are able to perform automatic backups in Windows 11/10/8/7 based on the daily/weekly/monthly mode.
- Customized Settings: You can use other features like sector-by-sector backup, image compression, and email notification are also available.
100% SecureTo create a system image so that you can return Windows 11 to Windows 10 when serious problems occur, please click Backup > System Backup.
To backup important files before running Windows 11 update, select Backup > File Backup. It's suggested to backup files to the external hard drive if you are worried about data loss due to system failure.
Except for the backup feature, you may also be interested in its other features:
· Universal Restore: It allows you to restore the system image to a new computer with different hardware, such as motherboard, CPU, etc. The premise is to create a system image or disk backup with AOMEI Backupper.
· System Clone: Similar to System Backup, but it's more flexible. You can easily transfer the system to a new hard drive or SSD and boot from it without restoring the image first.
· Disk Clone: This feature allows you to transfer everything from one hard drive to another easily, including OS, system files, programs, data, etc.
How to fix Windows 11 update stuck at 0%, 61%, 99%, 100%
When Windows 11 stuck on updates are underway, there are several methods you can try to resolve the issue. Restart your computer and check for any pending updates. If that doesn’t work, try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter or manually resetting the Windows Update components. Another method involves booting into Safe Mode to install the updates:
👉 #1. Leave your computer to finish the Windows 11 update More...>>
👉 #2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter🔥 More...>>
👉 #3. Check the SoftwareDistribution folder and restart the Windows Update🔥 More...>>
👉 #4. Uninstall a Conexant audio device in Device Manage More...>>
👉 #5. Run Windows Update in Safe Mode with Networking More...>>
#1. Leave your computer to finish Windows 11 update
As mentioned above, Internet or power interruptions may lead to Windows 11 stuck on updates are underway. Therefore, you can keep your computer plugged in and leave it out of use for hours to have the installation process finished.
#2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter🔥
It is likely that there are problems with Windows Update, so run the Windows Update troubleshooter before you proceed with other methods.
1. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
2. In the Additional troubleshooter's window, find Windows Update, click on it, and then click Run the troubleshooter.
3. Wait for the troubleshooter to look for any issues and fix the issues it finds. Then, restart your PC and the update should download and install now.
#3. Check the SoftwareDistribution folder and restart the Windows Update🔥
If you are not sure whether the update process is still in progress, you can go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution to have a check. The SoftwareDistribution folder stores all the temporary files and data that are required for the update.
When you are in the folder, right-click on the white space and select Properties. Then, keep a constant check on the size of the folder to see if any new files are being added or not.
If the size remains the same, you may restart the Windows 11 update with the following steps:
1. Turn off Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Service
- Open the Start menu search, type “cmd”, and then select the “Run as administrator” option to launch an elevated Command Prompt.
- Execute the command net stop wuauserv and net stop bits in order.
- Close Command Prompt.
2. Delete the update files in the SoftwareDistribution folder
- Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and select all the files and folders there.
- Right-click on the selected items and select Delete. If you fail to delete them, restart your computer and try again.
3. Turn on the services again
- Launch the Command Prompt in Admin mode.
- Run the command net start wuauserv and net start bits one by one.
- Exit Command Prompt.
Now try updating Windows 11 again to see if the issue still exists.
#4. Uninstall a Conexant audio device in Device Manager
Some users reported they fixed the Windows 11 stuck on updates are underway issue by uninstalling a Conexant audio device. Let’s see how it works.
1. Disable automatic driver downloads
- Open the Start menu search, type “control”, and select Control Panel. In the All Control Panel Items window, select System.
- In the next window, select Advanced System Settings.
- Select the Hardware tab and click Device Installation Settings.
- Select No (your device might not work as expected) and click Save Changes.
2. Uninstall a Conexant audio device in Device Manager
- Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
- Find your audio device under “Sound, video and game controllers”. Right-click on the device and select Uninstall device.
- In the pop-up window, check the box Delete the driver software for this device and click Uninstall.
3. Reboot your computer. Go to Device Manager to make sure the device drivers aren’t reinstalled. Then, try the Windows 11 update again.
4. Re-enable driver downloads after the update finishes.
#5. Run Windows Update in Safe Mode with Networking
The "Updates are underway. Please keep your computer on" error can be caused by a conflict between another program or service and Windows Update. You can try booting Windows 11 into Safe Mode with Networking to fix the problem. Follow the instructions below:
1. Press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard. Then click the Power button and select Restart.
2. After your computer restarts to the “Choose an option” screen, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3. After the computer restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Press the 5 or F5 key to start the computer from Safe Mode with Networking.
4. Manually start the Windows Installer Service and then run Windows Update.
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Additional methods to fix Windows 11 stuck on updates are underway
In addition to the five official solutions listed above, there are three simple, hard-core ways that might solve your problem. But honestly, they are not recommended, since you may lose all your early data or updates using these methods. So, be sure if there is no way out, and you want to give it a shot.
Hotkeys to reboot the computer
Sometimes, the update may get stuck at a specific point in the installation process. You can try pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del to see if the Windows login screen appears. If it does, log in as usual, which might allow the update to finish. If this doesn't work, proceed with other troubleshooting methods.
Hard reset to reboot the computer
If the Windows 11 update is completely stuck, you may need to perform a hard reboot. To do this, press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds until the computer turns off. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn the computer back on. This can help resolve issues where the update is stuck at 0%, 100%, or any other point.
Reset this PC to the factory settings
If none of the previous solutions work to fix the "Windows 11 updates are underway stuck" issue, you can try resetting your PC to its factory settings. To do this, access WinRE and select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset process. After resetting, attempt to update Windows again, and the issue should be resolved.
FAQ on Windows 11 update stuck
1. How to install/update Windows 11 via Windows Update?
Since Windows 11 has improved a lot in user experience and also added a batch of new, powerful features, you may want to install Windows 11 to explore this new OS by yourself. If your device is currently running Windows 10, it is recommended to upgrade to Windows 11 through Windows Update.
To check if Windows 11 is ready for your device, select Start>Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update>Check for updates. If the free upgrade is not available now, just wait for a period of time.
If your computer already has Windows 11 installed, you may want to upgrade to the latest version 23H2. It introduces new features like Copilot and updates file Explorer'svisual designs, Gallery page, etc.
2. Why is my Windows 11 update stuck at a certain percentage?
Windows 11 updates can get stuck at a particular percentage due to various reasons, including network issues, incompatible drivers or software, insufficient disk space, or corrupted update files. It could also be caused by conflicting background processes or antivirus software interfering with the update process.
3. What should I do if my Windows 11 update is stuck on "Preparing to Install" or "Downloading Updates"?
If your Windows 11 update is stuck on "Preparing to Install" or "Downloading Updates," try restarting your computer and checking your internet connection. If the issue persists, you can try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter, clearing the Windows Update cache, or manually downloading and installing the update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
4. My Windows 11 update is stuck on "Installing Updates" or "Getting Updates Ready." How can I fix this?
If your Windows 11 update is stuck on "Installing Updates" or "Getting Updates Ready," try waiting for some time as the update process may take longer than expected, especially for large updates. If it's stuck for an extended period, you can try restarting your computer, running the Windows Update Troubleshooter, or using the Windows Update Assistant to install the update manually.
5. The Windows 11 update is stuck on "Restarting" or "Configuring Updates." What steps should I take to resolve this?
If your Windows 11 update is stuck on "Restarting" or "Configuring Updates," try forcibly restarting your computer by pressing and holding the power button until it shuts down. Afterward, turn on your computer again, and it may revert the changes and boot normally. If the issue persists, you may need to boot into Safe Mode and perform a system restore or use advanced recovery options to repair the update.
6. How can I prevent Windows 11 updates from getting stuck in the future?
To prevent Windows 11 updates from getting stuck in the future, ensure that your computer has sufficient disk space and a stable internet connection. Regularly update your device drivers and software to ensure compatibility with the latest updates. Additionally, consider temporarily disabling antivirus software or third-party firewalls during the update process to avoid interference. You can also schedule updates during off-peak hours to minimize potential disruptions.
Wrapping things up
When you encounter a Windows 11 update stuck at 0%, 61%, 99%, or 100%, you can try the five fixes provided in this article. If none of those five will work, try the hard reset ways in the post to fix the Windows 11 stuck on updates are underway issue. Besides, don’t forget to make a backup for your computer using AOMEI Backupper so that you can resolve Windows 11 update errors effortlessly if they happen again.
Actually, AOMEI Backupper is also professional disk clone software that enables you to clone an HDD to an SSD, clone an SSD to a larger SSD, etc. Give it a shot to discover more!
