After thoroughly looking into this issue, we realized that several different underlying causes might trigger this type of issue on Windows 11. Here’s a short list of scenarios that you should consider when troubleshooting this issue: Now that we have gone over why a pending Windows 11 update will get stuck at 0% let’s go over a series of viable fixes that other affected users have successfully deployed to install the pending update and bring their Windows 11 build-up to date.
1. Pause all updates for 7 days
If you’re looking for a temporary fix, you can try to postpone the pending update that’s failing for seven days and wait a day before retrying the installation. This might seem like a weird fix, but it’s the number 1 method that’s been used by affected Windows 11 to fix this particular issue. Note: While this should work, keep in mind that it’s only a temporary fix that won’t fix the underlying cause of why one or more pending Windows 11 update is failing. Many users have reported that even if this method has worked for them, future updates failed with the same symptom. If you want to look for a permanent fix, disregard this method and move down to the next one below. If you don’t mind that this is probably a temporary fix, follow the instructions below for specific steps on pausing the update temporarily before re-trying the installation: If the problem is still not fixed, move to the following method below.
2. Free up disk space
If you don’t want to go for a temporary fix or it didn’t work for you, the next thing you should do is make sure that you have enough space to accommodate the pending Windows update. Keep in mind that Windows 11 is hardwired to stop installing new pending updates when you have less than 10 GB of free space. Check if this is the source of your issue by accessing File Explorer (Windows key + E), right-click on your Windows drive, and click on Properties from the context menu that just appeared. Next, select the General tab and see if the current free space is less than 10 GB. If the available free space is less than 10 GB, follow the instructions below to free up enough space to allow the installation of new pending Windows updates: Try the following method below if the update still gets stuck at 0%.
3. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
After clearing adequate space on the Windows disk, if the update is still stuck at 0%, you should investigate whether there is a problem with the WU component. The Windows Update Troubleshooter likely includes a Microsoft repair plan that you may apply to resolve the problem. Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter and implementing the suggested fix is likely enough to fix the issue. Note: Keep in mind that on Windows 11, the troubleshooting tool is far more comprehensive than on earlier versions. Microsoft has included thousands of additional automated repair options that may be automatically deployed to address the operation of Windows Update if a recognizable situation is found. To use the Windows Update Troubleshooter and apply the recommended fix, follow these steps: If the same issue is still occurring, move to the following method below.
4. Disable AV / Firewall protection
Many people who have experienced this problem think that it could potentially be related to some kind of antivirus program interference. When this tampering occurs, BitDefender and a few other third-party antivirus suites are regularly pointed out as the offenders. To address this issue, you’ll need to briefly deactivate the security suite before installing the problematic cumulative update to verify this theory. Note: It won’t do any harm to temporarily disable the real-time protection of your antivirus software and check to see whether the Windows 11 update was successful with the security suite off. Note: Most antivirus software programs allow you to disable real-time protection directly from the taskbar icon. If this is not possible, you should be able to find a setting in the Settings menu of your AV or firewall suite. Additionally, you can delete the third-party suite entirely, which is worth considering if you use an antivirus product that simultaneously serves as a firewall. Continue to the following potential solution if your pending Windows update still gets stuck at 0% despite disabling the AV or firewall protection.
5. Delete SoftwareDistribution & Catroot2 folders
It turns out that this particular issue might also occur due to an unanticipated system interruption that happened just as your operating system was downloading Windows Update files. In this case, the problem could be fixed by deleting any remaining data accumulated in the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders. To carry out this procedure, you must run a series of commands from an elevated CMD terminal. Follow the instructions below to open up an elevated CMD and clear out the two folders responsible for storing temporary WU files. Note: To be able to clear the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders, you’ll first need to disable a set of WU dependencies. Unless you do this, you won’t be able to rename the WU download folders and force the WU component to disregard them. Follow the steps below: If your pending update is stuck at 0% despite recreating the two WU download folders, move down to the following method below.
6. Deploy SFC and DISM scans
Another reason you could be experiencing this problem is if the Windows Update component is affected by some type of file corruption. The next step in troubleshooting this problem is to run quick successions of SFC (System File Checker), and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scans. Note: Even though SFC and DISM are somewhat similar, we advise running both scans quickly, one after the other, to increase your chances of fixing the corrupted system files. Start with a basic SFC scan. Note: SFC functions is entirely local, so you do not need to be actively connected to the internet to use it. The CMD window must not be closed after this procedure starts, even if the utility seems to have stopped responding and frozen. This is a frequent occurrence. Important: Wait until the process is complete before interacting with the CMD terminal. Doing so might cause logical errors on your HDD or SSD. Restart your computer when the SFC scan has been successfully completed, and after the machine has started again, check to see if the issue has been fixed. If your updates still get stuck at 0%, deploy a DISM scan and wait for it to complete. Note: DISM uses a component of Windows Update to retrieve healthy copies of corrupted system files to replace such files; this is an essential distinction between DISM and SFC. Because of this, you must make sure that you have access to a solid internet connection before starting a DISM scan. Once this procedure is complete, reboot your Windows 11 PC and see if the problem is now fixed. If you still cannot install specific pending Windows updates, move to the next potential fix below.
7. Revert to a healthy state (via System Restore)
According to several afflicted users, you may expect to deal with this issue following a recent system modification (like installing an infrastructure update, a driver update, or a cleanup procedure performed by an antivirus). By using System Restore to return your system to a previous point in time, you can most likely avoid the problem entirely and force your system to clean install the Windows update currently stuck at 0%. Important: Note that executing this operation would nullify all changes made after the system restore point was created. All installed programs, changed system preferences, and anything else will all be gone. If you are aware of the repercussions and decide to try this particular remedy, follow the instructions provided in this article. If you don’t have a viable restore point, go for the following method below.
8. Install pending updates manually
There is a significant chance you can bypass this entire situation where the pending update gets stuck at 0% by manually installing the update. There are various ways to accomplish this, but the Microsoft Update Catalog is the most practical and secure way. Note: This method will not effectively address the root cause of the problem. The fundamental issue that stops you from installing new pending updates will persist even if you successfully use this technique. Only consider it if you have one or two updates failing. Here are some quick steps on how to complete the process: If this didn’t work for you or you’re looking for a permanent fix, try the final method below.
9. Perform a clean install or repair install
You can conclude that the issue is caused by an underlying system corruption problem if none of the abovementioned options helped fix the issue where some (or all) Windows updates get stuck at 0% when installing. Many people who had the same problem claimed that it has been fixed after performing a complete system refresh. You can either go for a clean install or repair install (in-place repair) to achieve this. A clean installation is a more straightforward option, but the main drawback is that you won’t be able to keep any of your personal information (apps, games, personal media, etc.) unless you first create a backup of everything. This procedure might take a while. On the other hand, the main advantage of choosing the repair install (in-place repair) approach is that you can save your personal data (including applications, games, personal material, and even specific user preferences). However, the process will be a little more time-consuming.
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