Stuck at 0%? How to Fix a Frozen Windows Update (2026)

Introduction

You decide to be a responsible user and update your Windows. You click “Check for updates,” and it starts downloading.

But then, disaster strikes. The progress bar sits at “Downloading 0%”… for 10 minutes. Then 30 minutes. Then 2 hours.

“Is it actually doing anything?”

Usually, no. It’s frozen. The Windows Update service is notoriously buggy, often getting stuck in a loop trying to download a corrupted file.

In this guide, I will show you how to “unstick” the update process and get your PC patched and secure again.

Method 1: The “Windows Update Troubleshooter”

Microsoft knows their update system is fragile, so they built a repair tool directly into Windows. Always try this first.

1. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
2. Click Other troubleshooters.
3. Find Windows Update and click Run.
4. The tool will scan for stuck services and restart them automatically.
5. Once finished, go back and try updating again.

Method 2: Restart the Update Service (CMD Method)

If the troubleshooter was too polite, let’s force the service to restart using Command Prompt.

1. Type “cmd” in the Windows search bar.
2. Right-click Command Prompt > Run as administrator.
3. Type these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:net stop wuauservnet stop bitsnet start wuauservnet start bits
4. This stops and restarts the “Windows Update” and “Background Intelligent Transfer” services.

Method 3: Delete the “SoftwareDistribution” Folder (The Nuclear Fix)

This is the most effective fix for “stuck at 0%”. We are going to delete the temporary folder where Windows stores the update files. If a file inside is corrupted, deleting it forces Windows to download a fresh copy.

1. Stop the services first (use Method 2 commands: net stop wuauserv and net stop bits).
2. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
3. Select everything inside this folder (Ctrl + A) and Delete it.
4. Restart the services (use Method 2 commands: net start wuauserv and net start bits).
5. Now check for updates again. It will start from 0%, but this time it will actually move!

Method 4: Check Your Internet & VPN

Sometimes it’s not Windows; it’s your connection.

• Disable VPN: Microsoft’s servers often block VPN IP addresses. Turn off your VPN and try again.
• Metered Connection: If you set your Wi-Fi as “Metered” to save data, Windows won’t download updates. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks and ensure “Set as metered connection” is OFF.

Method 5: Run SFC Scan

If system files are missing, the update installer can’t run.

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
3. If it says “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them,” try updating again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I just shut down my PC if it’s stuck?

A: If it’s stuck at “Downloading” or “Installing 0%”, yes, you can restart safely. BUT, if it’s stuck on a blue screen saying “Don’t turn off your computer”, try to wait at least 2-3 hours before forcing a shutdown to avoid breaking Windows.

Q: Why does this happen so often?

A: The SoftwareDistribution folder is sensitive. If your internet cuts out for a second while downloading a huge file, the file gets corrupted, and the installer gets confused. Method 3 fixes this.

Q: How long should I wait before trying to fix it?

A: Give it 30 minutes. If the percentage hasn’t moved a single digit in 30 minutes, it’s stuck.

Conclusion

A frozen Windows Update is annoying, but it’s rarely permanent. Clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder (Method 3) is the magic bullet that fixes 99% of “Stuck at 0%” errors.

Get those updates installed so you can stay safe!

Did clearing the folder work for you? Let me know in the comments below!

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