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Why Has My Windows Server 2016 Stopped Getting Updates Since August 2025?
If you manage a computer running Windows Server 2016, you might have noticed a problem. Since August 2025, it may have stopped receiving new updates. When you check for them, the system tells you that your device is up to date. You are not alone in facing this issue. Many administrators have reported the same thing. This guide will explain the problem and show you how to fix it.
The issue was first highlighted by an administrator named Martin. On September 19, 2025, he noticed his Windows Server 2016 Essentials machine was no longer getting updates. He checked his records and found the last successful update was from July 2025. This update was the “2025-07 Servicing Stack Update for Windows Server 2016 for x64-based systems (KB5062799)”. Since that installation, no new updates have appeared. He saw this happen on all his servers, whether they used a central update service (WSUS) or not. Even new, important updates like SSU KB5065687 were not showing up. At first, he thought it was strange but did not worry. But when the problem continued, he realized something was wrong, especially since other standard Windows Server 2016 systems he manages were still getting updates normally.
A Widespread Community Issue
This is not an isolated incident. After the initial report, many other technology professionals confirmed they were seeing the exact same behavior. A quick search on the internet reveals numerous discussions about this problem. On the website Reddit, one post describes how multiple Windows Server 2016 machines, both physical and virtual, stopped being offered updates. The user stated that even newly set up servers were affected. They all showed the “Your device is up to date” message, despite missing the critical cumulative update for August (KB5063871).
Another community for IT experts, Spiceworks, has a similar discussion. A post from September 10, 2025, asks if anyone else has noticed missing updates for all versions of Windows Server 2016 since July. Many other administrators in that thread confirmed they were experiencing the same thing. This widespread confirmation across different platforms shows that the problem is not due to a misconfigured setting on a single server. It points to a broader issue with how updates are being delivered to these specific systems. There was a similar problem back in April 2025, which was later attributed to technical issues on Microsoft’s end. This history suggests the current situation may also require a fix from Microsoft.
Why Did the Updates Stop?
Microsoft has not yet given an official, detailed reason for this problem. However, based on past events and how the update system works, we can make an educated guess. The Windows Update process is complex. For it to work correctly, your server needs a foundation of prior updates. One of the most important types is the Servicing Stack Update, or SSU.
Think of an SSU as a tool that prepares your server to correctly install other, larger updates. If your server does not have the latest SSU, it may not be able to see or install the main monthly Cumulative Update. The reports indicate that the new SSU (KB5065687) is not being offered automatically. Without this key piece, the system is unable to find the August Cumulative Update (KB5063871). This is why your server incorrectly reports that it is up to date. The update checker runs, but because it is missing its prerequisite, it finds nothing new to install.
How to Manually Update Your Server
The good news is that there is a reliable workaround. First, it is important to know that Windows Server 2016 is still supported by Microsoft. It is in its extended support period, which lasts until January 12, 2027. This means Microsoft is still creating and providing security updates for it. You just need to install them by hand until the automatic system is fixed.
Follow these steps to download and install the missing updates.
- Navigate to the Microsoft Update Catalog. This is Microsoft’s official library where you can download almost any update directly. Open a web browser and search for “Microsoft Update Catalog.”
- Find and install the latest SSU. In the search bar of the catalog, type the name of the latest Servicing Stack Update, such as KB5065687, or search for “Servicing Stack Update for Windows Server 2016”. Find the most recent one. Download the version for “x64-based systems” and install it. Your server may ask to restart.
- Find the latest Cumulative Update. After the SSU is installed, go back to the catalog. This time, search for the latest monthly update. For example, search for “Cumulative Update for Windows Server 2016 for x64-based Systems” for the current month.
- Download and install the Cumulative Update. Download the correct file for your system. This file will be much larger than the SSU and the installation will take more time. Be patient and let it finish.
- Restart your server. Once the installation is complete, you must restart your server to fully apply the security patches and changes. After restarting, your server will be protected with the latest security fixes.
You will need to repeat this manual process each month until Microsoft resolves the underlying issue with the automatic Windows Update service. It is an extra step, but it is critical for keeping your server secure.