How to Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter on Windows 11 (Two Ways)

When Windows Update throws an error or refuses to install, the Windows Update troubleshooter is the fix Microsoft tells you to try first — it runs diagnostics and resets the update components for you.

Why it works: most update failures come down to a handful of repairable causes — a stopped service, a corrupt download cache, a stuck component. The troubleshooter checks for those and repairs them automatically, which is why it clears a large share of update errors without any command-line work.

Fix 1: Run it from the Get Help app

This is the quickest path on Windows 11. Microsoft ships an automated troubleshooter inside the Get Help app that runs the diagnostics and attempts repairs for you.

1. Open the Get Help app (search for it from Start).
2. In the search bar, type windows update troubleshooter and open the result.
3. Let it run its diagnostics and apply any fixes it finds.
4. Restart the device when it finishes, then go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.

Fix 2: Run it from Settings

The Settings entry is another way to start troubleshooting. On current Windows builds it can launch the same Get Help app, so it is not an independent fallback if that app is unavailable.

1. Select Start → Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters.
2. Under Most frequent, select Run next to Windows Update.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
4. Restart your device, then go to Start → Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates to install anything available.

Fix 3: If the troubleshooter can’t fix it

If it runs but the update still fails, reset the update components by hand. Open an elevated Command Prompt (search for cmd, then choose Run as administrator; if using Terminal, choose its Command Prompt profile) and run:

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren %systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc

Reboot and Check for updates again.

Run this only in the installed Windows session, not a recovery-environment command prompt. Save work first. If a service fails to stop, a folder is locked, or a .old destination already exists, stop and inspect that error before continuing. Preserve existing backups rather than deleting them to make the rename succeed. Restart any stopped services when finished; do not forcibly terminate a service or delete cache files while they are in use.

FAQ

Get Help cannot run the troubleshooter — now what? You can try the Settings entry, but current builds can depend on the same Get Help app. Update/repair Get Help if permitted, or use the manual checks below. On a managed PC, ask IT before resetting update components.

Do I need to restart after running it? Yes. Microsoft specifically recommends restarting when the troubleshooter finishes before you check for updates again — some repairs only take effect after a reboot.

Sources: Microsoft Support — Windows Update Troubleshooter, Microsoft Support — Troubleshoot problems updating Windows