How To Fix Windows 10 Update Status Stuck on Pending

Sara Alsaqaf
If your Windows 10 update status has been stuck on “Pending” for more than 30 minutes, troubleshooting the problem using these methods.

Windows 10 updates keep your computer equipped with the latest features and often increase the performance of your device. However, along with the plethora of new things, comes new errors to fix and bugs to squish. In this article, you can learn how to fix the Windows 10 update status being stuck on pending.

Windows 10 Update Status Stuck on Pending


Being denied access to new system updates will set you back in the computer world. Not only are you putting yourself at risk of malicious system exploits, but you’re losing out on new and improved features as well.

If your Windows 10 update status has been stuck on “Pending” for more than 30 minutes, it’s time to start troubleshooting. Read this article to instantly see the most effective methods to get your update downloaded and installed as soon as possible.

What causes the Windows Update to get stuck on pending download?

Windows 10 is brilliant but unpredictable. It has brought a lot of features and innovations to the table and changed the game when it comes to operating systems. However, it regularly comes with its fair share of bugs and errors.

Most of the time, update errors have no direct cause and can originate from multiple sources. The Windows Update feature getting stuck on the “Pending” status is an issue like that. The issue happens depending on what you’ve been doing on your computer.

With the help of the active and helpful Windows 10 community, we determined that the most common cause for this error is a software conflict, system bugs, or a pre-existing issue on your local computer. Here at SoftwareKeep, we’ll help you resolve the problem no matter where it comes from.

Jump to Solution

Solved: Windows 10 Update Status Stuck on Pending

Tip: If you’re not familiar with the Windows 10 interface, we recommend reading our How to Get Started with Windows 10 article before troubleshooting.

Method 1. Use the Windows Update troubleshooter

Microsoft has issued a designated tool to help fix issues with Windows updates. This tool is free and available for download to anyone, even without a Microsoft Account. All you have to do is run the tool and see if it’s able to identify and fix any errors.

  1. Download the Windows Update Troubleshooter. This download link is directly from Microsoft’s website, which is verified, trustworthy, and entirely safe.
  2. Open the WindowsUpdate.diagcab file you just downloaded by double-clicking on it. This will launch the troubleshooter window.
    windows update troublshooter
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions. If the troubleshooter is able to identify any issues, simply click on them to automatically apply a fix or get more information on your issue.

Note that the Windows Update Troubleshooter is not perfect. Even if it’s unable to find any errors on its own, you should continue with our methods until you find something that works to fix the Windows Update failing error.

If you seem to run into the “Windows 10 update stuck on pending” error, it means that the update agent is failing to download or validate the update. Please proceed with the methods below to fix it.

Method 2. Enable automatic Windows Update services

It’s possible that one of the key services required for Windows Update to successfully run has been disabled. Such a thing can be done by you on accident, a third-party application, malware, or another local user on the computer. To possibly fix the problem, simply turn these services to the “Automatic” setting.

  1. Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard. This is going to bring up the Run utility.
  2. Type in “services.msc” without the quotation marks and press the Enter key on your keyboard. This will launch the Services application.
    servicess.msc
  3. Scroll down until you see the Windows Update service. Right-click on it, and then choose Properties from the context menu.
    windows update > properties
  4. Use the drop-down menu to change the Startup type to Automatic. When done, click Apply and then close the pop-up window.
    startup > automatice
  5. Repeat this for the following services, turning both of them to Automatic startup: 
    • Background Intelligent Transfer Service
    • Cryptographic Service
  6. Restart your device and see if the Windows Update is able to progress, or if it’s still stuck on pending. Continue troubleshooting if this method didn’t work for you. 

Method 3. Execute a command in the Command Prompt

The Command Prompt allows you to make changes in your system through a text-based interface. By executing the correct commands, you may be able to get the Windows Update moving instead of staying on “Pending” status.

  1. Open the Command Prompt in one of the following ways: 
    • Open the Search function in your taskbar, or alternatively use the Ctrl + S keyboard shortcut to bring up the search bar and look up “Command Prompt”. When you see it in the results, right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator. 
      command prompt
    • Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to bring up the Run utility. Type in “cmd” and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys on your keyboard. By doing so, you’re launching the Command Prompt with administrative permissions. 
      command prompt
    • Press the Windows + X keyboard shortcut, then select Command Prompt (Admin).
      command prompt
  2. When prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the app to launch with administrative permissions.

    Need help? Check out our How to make a local user an administrator in Windows 10 guide.
  3. Input the following commands into the Command Prompt, pressing the Enter key on your keyboard after each line:

    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
  4. Want to automate the process? You can download the Windows Update Reset script and run WUReset.bat as administrator to execute the commands in an instant.
    windws update support
  5. Restart your computer and check if the problem still persists.  

Method 4. Switch the "Download Updates Over Metered Connection" setting

Users in the official Microsoft community have reported that some updates may require you to use this workaround in order to download. The steps require you to switch a Windows 10 setting on or off, depending on its current status.

  1. Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left of your screen to bring up the Start menu. Choose Settings, or alternatively use the Windows + I shortcut.
  2. Click on the Update & Security tile. This is where you can find most of your Windows Update settings.
    windows settings > update and security
  3. Click on the Advanced options button.
    Windows update > advanced
  4. Toggle the switch under the Download updates over metered connections option. This should turn it On or Off, depending on what you had it set to previously.
    Windows update over metered connections
  5. Restart your computer and try to install Windows 10 updates again. If the update is successful, you can follow the steps above to return the setting to its original status.

Method 5. Allow the Automatic Updates immediate installation option in Group Policy

Using the Group Policy, you can change how your PC operates. Taking advantage of this will allow you to potentially fix the Windows 10 updates being stuck on pending.

  1. Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard. This is going to bring up the Run utility.
  2. Type in “gpedit.msc” without the quotation marks and press the Enter key on your keyboard. This will launch the Group Policy application.
    gpedit.msc
  3. Navigate to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Update.
    computer configuraiton
  4. Double click on the Configure Automatic Updates entry. A pop-up window should appear on the screen.
  5. First, make sure to select Enabled from the top-left corner of the window. Next, choose 3 - Auto download and notify for install from the options drop-down menu.
    auto install updates
  6. Click the Apply button and exit the Group Policy editor. Reboot your device and check if the Windows 10 update is able to proceed without getting stuck on pending.

Method 6. Run the System File Checker and DISM commands

The System File Checker is a tool available in most versions of Windows by default. It’s also called an “SFC scan,” and it’s your quickest way to automatically fix corrupted system files and a plethora of other issues.

Alongside it, we recommend running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. This effectively re-deploys your system image in order to fix issues directly related to it. Instructions to run both of these commands can be found below:

  1. Open the Command Prompt in one of the following ways:
    • Open the Search function in your taskbar, or alternatively use the Ctrl + S keyboard shortcut to bring up the search bar and look up “Command Prompt”. When you see it in the results, right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator.
      command prompt
    • Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to bring up the Run utility. Type in “cmd” and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys on your keyboard. By doing so, you’re launching the Command Prompt with administrative permissions.
      command prompt
    • Press the Windows + X keyboard shortcut, then select Command Prompt (Admin).
      command prompt
  2. When prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the app to launch with administrative permissions.
  3. First, we’ll run the System File Checker. Type in the following command and press Enter to execute it: sfc /scannow
    sfc /scannow
  4. Wait for the SFC scan to finish scanning your computer and repairing corrupt files. This may take a long time; ensure that you don’t close the Command Prompt or shut your computer down.
  5. Next, type in and execute the following command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    DISM scan
  6. Restart your device after both of the scans are complete. You should be able to tell if the Windows Update stuck on pending error has been resolved.

Method 7.  Download the Update Assistant

If none of the methods above worked, you can try to manually update Windows 10 using Microsoft’s official Update Assistant.

  1. Download the Update Assistant from www.microsoft.com and launch the file.
  2. Wait for the update process to finish.

Final thoughts

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Tags: How To