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Solved: How do I fix Windows Update Error “We Could not Complete the Install Because an Update Service Was Shutting Down”?

By: Author Alex Lim

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories Troubleshooting, Windows

Problem: Windows users encounter a Windows update error stating “We could not complete the installation because an update service was shutting down” when updating Windows to the newer version, causing unable to proceed further for Windows update installation.

The detail error message as below:

Windows Update Error
We Could not Complete the Install Because an Update Service Was Shutting Down

Solved: How do I fix Windows Update Error "We Could not Complete the Install Because an Update Service Was Shutting Down"?

Solved: How do I fix Windows Update Error “We Could not Complete the Install Because an Update Service Was Shutting Down”?

Solved: How do I fix Windows Update Error "We Could not Complete the Install Because an Update Service Was Shutting Down"?

Solved: How do I fix Windows Update Error “We Could not Complete the Install Because an Update Service Was Shutting Down”?

Follow below solution steps to resolve Windows update error due to update service was shutting down.

Content Summary

Potential Causes
Solution 1: Correct Date and Time Settings
Solution 2: Restart Windows Update Services
Solution 3: Uninstall Antivirus Software
Solution 4: Execute Windows Update Troubleshooter
Solution 5: Repair Corrupted Windows Update Database
Solution 6: Repair Corrupted Windows Files
Solution 7: Execute Complete Windows Update Failed Troubleshooting Steps
Reference

Potential Causes

  • System hang leading to service being idle and try to shut it down
  • Incorrect time and date settings in Windows
  • Corrupted program records
  • Antivirus software blocked the Windows update installation

Solution 1: Correct Date and Time Settings

Step 1: Right-click or tap the date and time in the Windows Notification Area in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Step 2: Click Adjust date/time option.

Step 3: In the event that your PC showing the wrong time, make sure the Time zone is set properly.

Step 4: In order to adjust the time manually, turn off the Set time automatically option and then click the Change button.

Step 5: Change the date or time as desired, then click the Change button.

Solution 2: Restart Windows Update Services

Step 1: Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialogue box.

Step 2: Type services.msc in the Run box and click the OK button to continue.

Step 3: Scroll down to find Windows Update service.

Step 4: Right-click on Windows Update service and select Properties from the context menu.

Right-click on Windows Update service and select Properties from the context menu.

Right-click on Windows Update service and select Properties from the context menu.

Step 5: Change the Startup type to Automatic, click on the Start button, then click on the Apply and OK button.

Change the Startup type to Automatic, click on the Start button, then click on the Apply and OK button.

Change the Startup type to Automatic, click on the Start button, then click on the Apply and OK button.

Step 6: Perform the same steps for the following Windows Update related services as well:

  • Windows Update Medic Services
  • Cryptographic Services
  • Background Intelligent Transfer Service
  • Windows Installer

Step 7: Restart your computer.

Solution 3: Uninstall Antivirus Software

Step 1: Click Start, search for Control Panel then open it.

Step 2: Choose Uninstall a program under the Programs section.

Step 3: Find the third-party antivirus software, right-click on it and select Uninstall.

Step 4: Restart your PC.

Step 5: Once Windows Updates are installed successfully, you can install antivirus software again.

Solution 4: Execute Windows Update Troubleshooter

Try to execute the Windows Update Troubleshooter and see if that helps to resolve the issue.

Solution 5: Repair Corrupted Windows Update Database

Step 1: Type cmd in the Search box.

Step 2: Right-click the Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator option from the context menu.

Step 3: Type the following commands and press Enter after each command:

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 wuauservnet start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Step 4: Wait for the process to be finished and close the command prompt window.

Step 5: Restart your PC.

Solution 6: Repair Corrupted Windows Files

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box.

Step 2: Right-click the Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator option from the context menu.

Step 3: Type the following commands and press Enter after each command:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
sfc /scannow

Step 4: Wait for the process to be finished and close the command prompt window.

Step 5: Restart your PC.

Solution 7: Execute Complete Windows Update Failed Troubleshooting Steps

In the event that all the above-mentioned troubleshooting steps unable to resolve this error, refer to this article to execute the complete Windows update failed troubleshooting steps.

Reference