12 Ways to Fix Windows 11 Update and Restart Not Working

If Windows 11 is stuck on “Update and Restart” or refusing to apply updates properly on your PC, let go of the fears and frustration as you are not alone. Recently, a good many folks have complained that they are unable to update Windows on their PCs. While some have stated that the software update gets stuck mid-way, others have reported that the update is terminated abruptly. Having encountered this update issue a few times myself, I thought it would be great to share some viable tips and tricks to resolve the Windows update and restart not working problem. Read on…

How to Fix Windows 11 Update and Restart Not Working

What comes in the way of the Windows 11 software update and tends to block its path? When dealing with this classic PC issue, you must take note of the following list of well-known culprits –

• Corrupt update files
• Insufficient storage
• Internet issues
• Windows update bugs
• Pending updates
• System file corruption
• Background processes
• Incorrect settings
• Software conflicts
• Malware infection

The good thing is that taking control of these usual suspects often brings the software update back on track. Hence, we are going to try both the basic and the advanced solutions to eliminate these roadblocks and restore this pivotal feature.

1. Restart Your PC Manually

On many occasions, you can resolve the Windows 11 update and restart problem by just rebooting your PC. If this Windows 11 issue is being caused by a temporary glitch, a soft may let you get rid of it.

• Simply, click on the Start menu >  Power > Restart.
• Just in case, the restart option is missing, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Restart from the Power icon.

• What if your system is frozen? No worries! Press and hold the Power button until it shuts down. After waiting for a few moments, turn your PC back on.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

Do not overlook a slow or the below-par internet connection as it could be preventing updates from downloading.

• It would be a good idea to run Speedtest or switch to a wired Ethernet connection.
• If required, restart your router/modem.
• And, if you are using Wi-Fi, try switching to a different network.

3. Disable Third-Party Antivirus Temporarily

Are you using the antivirus program on your PC? If yes, disable the program as there is a high chance it might be blocking the Windows updates. After you have disabled the program, try updating the software. If the software update is done without any obstruction, your antivirus service was playing the spoilsport.

4. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows boasts a powerful built-in tool designed to detect and fix update-related issues. Should the issue continue to haunt your PC, it would be the right time to bring on this noted troubleshooter.

• Open Settings (Win + I) on your PC and navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

• Now, you need to click Run next to Windows Update Troubleshooter and follow the instructions to catch the threats and fix them by following the suggestions.

5. Clear the Windows Update Cache

Be fully aware of the fact that the corrupt update files in the cache are also responsible for causing the update failures. Therefore, make sure to clean up the entire Windows update cache.

• To get it done, press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
• Scroll down and right-click Windows Update > Stop.
• Open File Explorer and navigate to
  C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
• Then, you need to delete all files inside the SoftwareDistribution folder.
• After that, go back to Services and right-click Windows Update.
• Next, click Start.

6. Restart the Windows Update Service

If the Windows update service is stuck or disabled, restarting it will help resolve the issue.

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Now, find Windows Update, right-click it, and select Restart.
• Up next, make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic.

7. Check for Corrupt System Files

Be warned that the missing or corrupt system files might also be conflicting with the Windows update, preventing it from going about the job. Hence, check for the malicious system files and flush them out.

• To begin with, fire up the Command Prompt as Administrator (Win + X > Terminal (Admin)).
• Run the following command:sfc /scannow
• Once you have successfully run the above command, restart your PC and check for updates again.

8. Run the Windows Update Reset Script

No luck as yet? Now is the right time to run the Windows update reset script. For those unfamiliar, this script allows you to reset all update components and re-register essential services, which often results in troubleshooting the related issues.

To get going, open Command Prompt as Administrator on your Windows 11 device. Now, be sure to run the below-mentioned commands one by one and then reboot your PC.

• net stop wuauserv
• net stop cryptSvc
• net stop bits
• net stop msiserver
• ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
• ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
• net start wuauserv
• net start cryptSvc
• net start bits
• net start msiserver

9. Free Up Disk Space

As we all know that Windows needs free space to download and install updates, ensure that your PC has enough space to accommodate the latest update. If the disk space is clogged up, declutter it by wiping out the redundant files, photos, and videos.

• Open Settings (Win + I) on your computer > System > head over to Storage, and check available space.

• Make full use of the Disk Cleanup (Win + R, type cleanmgr, press Enter) feature to delete temporary files, update files, and system junk.
• Once you have cleaned up your PC, reboot it and find out if the software update has eventually come back on track.

10. Update Windows Using the Microsoft Update Assistant

If updates fail via Settings, take advantage of the Microsoft “Update Assistant” as it can force the installation.

• Visit Microsoft’s Update Assistant and download and run the tool.
• Then, follow the official instructions to complete the installation process.

11. Perform a Clean Boot

Keep in mind that certain background programs might be interfering with Windows Update. To nab the conflicting elements, perform a clean boot on your PC.

• To get it done, press Win + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
• Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.

• Go to Startup, click Open Task Manager, and disable all startup items.
• Restart your PC and try updating Windows again.

12. Reset Your PC (Keep Your Files Option)

If nothing has worked in resolving the Windows update issue, I’d recommend you reset your PC. Considered to be a nuclear solution, it has the knack for fixing persistent or complex issues.

• On your PC, navigate to Settings (Win + I) and select System > Recovery.

• Now, click Reset this PC.
• Next, choose Keep my files, and follow the instructions to reset your PC securely.

Wrapping up…

There you go! I’m pretty sure one of these solutions has worked for you in restoring the full functionality of the Windows update. Tips like fixing the sluggish internet connection, decluttering the disk space, and taking control of the conflicting software programs often help get rid of this issue. However, if these simple solutions don’t yield the desired result, do not hesitate to go with the advanced fixes like resetting the PC.