How To Fix Windows 10 Set up Stuck At Checking For Updates

Windows 10 operating system was released last 2015. Since then, almost all users are now using the new Windows operating system developed by Microsoft. The new Windows OS provides its users a better, much faster and more efficient operating system. Although the process to upgrade to the new one is pretty simple and involves easy to follow steps, however there have been reports from users reporting that update process fails to download and install the new Windows 10 upgrade because it gets stuck at checking for updates. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle how to fix Windows 10 set up stuck at checking for updates.

What to do if Windows 10 Set up is stuck at checking for updates

Before performing the recommended troubleshooting methods below, its best to restart your Windows computer first. This action refreshes the OS and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.

Method 1: Check Date and Time

There are instances wherein a wrong date and time can sometimes cause update and set up related issues on your computer. Make sure that your computer has the correct date and time to prevent the issue to occur.

To check if Date and Time is correct:

  1. Right click on the Clock taskbar located on your lower right

    Windows 10 Set up stuck At Checking For Updates

  2. Click Adjust Date and Time

    Windows 10 Set up stuck At Checking For Updates

  3. At Date and Time section, make sure Set time automatically option is ON. If not, toggle it ON.

    Windows 10 Set up stuck At Checking For Updates

  4. Click Sync now button under the option Synchronize your clock.

    Windows 10 Set up stuck At Checking For Updates

Check if Windows 10 update stuck at checking for updates issue still occurs.

Method 2: Run Windows Update troubleshooter

A tool that is used to diagnose and fix Windows update related issues. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter to check if there is an update related issues present that’s preventing Windows 10 set up to complete.

  1. Click on the Start or Windows logo key located at the lower left.
  2. Click on Settings, an icon that looks like a gear to open Windows Settings section
  3. Click on Update and Security tab
  4. Click on Troubleshoot at the left pane.
  5. Click on Additional Troubleshooters at right pane.
  6. Click on Windows Update under the Get up and Running section.
  7. Click Run the Troubleshooter button . A new window opens and Windows will now detect problems.
  8. After process is complete and it could not identify any problem, click Close and Exit Settings Section. It will display recommended solutions to fix it, if a problem is detected.

After performing Windows Update Troubleshooter, Check if Windows 10 set up got Stuck At Checking For Updates during set up issue still occurs.

Method 3: Restart Windows Update service after deleting downloaded content

This method involves three steps: Disabling Windows Update service, Deleting downloaded files and then enabling Windows Update Service

Step 1: Disable Windows Update Service

There are two methods to disable Windows Update service:

Using Services:

  1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open RUN dialogue box
  2. At RUN dialogue box, type ” services.msc” and press Enter or click OK to open services window.
  3. Scroll down and locate Windows Update Service from the lists of services.
  4. Right click on the service and click Properties from the drop down menu.
  5. At Properties section, click STOP option under the service status.
  6. Click Apply to apply changes made.
  7. Click OK to exit properties section.

Using Command Prompt:

  1. Type command prompt at the search bar located at the lower left.
  2. Right click on Command prompt result and click Run as Administrator from the drop down menu.
  3. In command prompt window, type the following command “net stop wuauserv” and press Enter.

Step 2: Delete Downloaded files

Downloaded files from updates are stored in folders on your computer, deleting all the updated files that are already present in the folder so that it will be available for new updates.

To do this:

  1. Press Windows + E on your keyboard
  2. Navigate to this address on your computer: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
  3. Press CTRL + A on your keyboard to highlight everything on the software distribution folder.
  4. Right click on the highlighted entries and click delete from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Enable Windows Update Service

Using Services:

  1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open RUN dialog box
  2. At RUN dialog box, type ” services.msc” and press Enter or click OK to open services section.
  3. Scroll down and locate Windows Update Service from the lists of services.
  4. Right click on the service and click Properties from the drop down menu.
  5. At Properties section, click START option under the service status.
  6. Click Apply to apply changes made.
  7. Click OK to exit properties section.

Using Command Prompt:

  1. Type command prompt at the search bar located at the lower left.
  2. Right click on Command prompt result and click Run as Administrator from the drop down menu.
  3. In command prompt window, type the following command “net start wuauserv” and press Enter.

Method 4: Temporarily Disable Antivirus Program

It is highly possible that the Antivirus or third party antivirus program on your computer can cause the Windows 10 set up to get stuck at checking for updates. To check if this is the culprit, try to disable your antivirus program temporarily.

If you are using Avast, A V G, McAfee , you can refer to the article link on the description box of this video on how to Temporarily Disable Antivirus Program.

If you have Windows Defender, follow these steps:

  1. At the lower left on your windows, click on the Start or Windows logo key.
  2. Click on Settings which is an icon that looks like a gear. This will open Windows Settings section.
  3. At Windows settings section, click on Update and Security.
  4. Click on Windows security which is located at the left pane.
  5. Click Virus and Threat protection from the protection areas section.
  6. At the new window, click Manage settings from Virus and Threat Protection settings.
  7. Then, Toggle OFF Real-time protection.
  8. Restart your computer.

For AVG:

  1. Double-click on AVG icon located at system tray
  2. Click Temporarily disable AVG protection.
  3. Select how long you want AVG to be turned off and whether you want AVG to disable its Firewall too. Click on OK to disable the antivirus program.

For McAfee:

  1. Double-click on McAfee icon located at system tray.
  2. Click Exit.
  3. A dialog box warning you that McAfee protection will be turned off, click Yes to disable the antivirus program.

For Avast:

  1. Double-click on Avast icon located at system tray.
  2. Click Avast shields control.
  3. Locate the options to disable the program – the options are to disable it for 10 minutes, an hour, until the PC is restarted or permanently (until you yourself turn it back on). Select whatever option suits you best and use it to disable the program.

Check if Windows 10 set up is Stuck At Checking For Updates issue still occurs.

Method 5: Check Wi Fi Connection

There are instance wherein Windows set up gets stuck at check for updates if you are connecting to a slow or unstable internet connection. It may be caused by a problem with your wireless driver or the operating system you are using is not accepting the set up of the new upgrade with the use of a wireless connection.

Switching from a wireless connection to a wired connection can sometimes help the issue. An Ethernet cable can do the trick. This way, internet speed using an ethernet cable is faster and more reliable than a wireless connection.

Check if Windows 10 update Set up Stuck At Checking For Updates issue still occurs.

Method 6: Check for Disk Space

There is a possibility that when upgrading to Windows 10 it is stuck at checking updates because of lack or low Disk space on your computer that it cannot proceed with the set up process. Try to check your computer for disk space and see if has enough disk space to download and complete Windows 10 set up.

Here’s how to check for disk space:

  1. Press Windows key + E on your keyboard to open File explorer
  2. Click on This PC
  3. At the devices and drives section, all the connected devices and disk drives will be shown.
  4. Right click on the Disk and then click Properties from the drop down menu.
  5. At properties section, click on General tab. You will see how much free space is available as well as the used space.
  6. Click on Disk Clean up tab.
  7. At Disk cleanup, check all the options and press OK. Windows will now start cleaning up your disk drive. Wait for it to complete as it can take a few minutes depending on the amount of files on the disk that needs clean up

Check if Windows 10 set up is Stuck At Checking For Updates issue still occurs.

Method 7: Reset Windows Update Components

If the above mentioned steps fails to fix Windows Set up 10 Stuck At Checking For Updates, try to manually reset windows update components using the command prompt. This action removes corrupt and damaged files that prevents Windows 10 set up to stuck at checking for updates.

  1. Type Command Prompt at the search bar on your Windows located at the lower left.
  2. Right click on the first result and select “Run as administrator” for command prompt admin access. If a prompt User account control (UAC) appears, click OK.
  3. At command prompt window, type the following commands in order then hit Enter key after each command.
  4. Type net stop bits then press Enter
  5. Type net stop wuauserv then press Enter.
  6. Type net stop cryptSvc then press Enter.
  7. Type net stop msiserver then press Enter.
  8. Type ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old then press Enter.
  9. Type ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old then press Enter.
  10. Type net start bits then press Enter.
  11. Type net start wuauserv then press Enter.
  12. Type net start cryptSvc then press Enter.
  13. Type net start msiserver then press Enter.
  14. Click Close to Exit command prompt window.
  15. Restart your PC.

After computer completely reboots, check if Windows 10 setup Stuck At Checking For Updates issue still occurs.

After following the steps mentioned, you will successfully fix Windows 10 got Set up stuck At Checking For Updates

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