(Solved!) Windows Update stuck on "Rebooting"?

As Windows 10 and Windows 11 gain traction with users, plenty opt to upgrade their OS to these newer versions. But, some PC folks run into trouble when their systems get hung up on a "Windows Update stuck on restarting" glitch while upgrading to either Windows 10 or 11. This piece here is gonna show you how to fix that problem when updating Windows, focusing on using certain tools. Let's dive in.

Why does my Windows Update get stuck on restarting?

Getting stuck during a restart or encountering the "Windows Update failed" message is a common issue when upgrading to Windows 10 or 11. This update error can also occur with Windows 8, 7, Vista, and other versions. To fix it, we first need to identify the cause of the problem.

When installing patches during startup or shutdown, Windows Update might get stuck on "Restarting." This usually happens due to software conflicts or existing issues that the Windows Update process exposes. It can also be caused by Microsoft update-related errors. Other common reasons include:

• Outdated drivers
• Damaged system files
• Poor network connection
• Unupdated Windows
• Secure Boot disabled
• Malware/Virus attack

Since Windows has to set up various devices and programs, this is a fairly common issue. However, if your PC is stuck on the reboot screen, don't panic; use the simple fixes below to help you resolve the problem. Read on!

Read more: PC Stuck on Restarting

7 Ways to Fix Windows Update Stuck on Restarting

If you're experiencing the same issue, try the following steps. First, I recommend performing a hard reset and restarting your computer to see if the issue persists. Before attempting to install the update, it's also advisable to disconnect all external devices except for your keyboard and mouse. If the update continues to freeze, you can attempt the following methods.

Method 1: End the Failed Program Process

Sometimes, a failed program in the Task Manager can be the source of a stuck computer update that's having trouble restarting. Try ending the stuck process in Task Manager with these steps.

Step 1: Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open the Task Manager.

2. Quit all running programs, and then restart your computer.

After the script finishes running, check if Windows Update is still stuck on restarting.

7 Ways to Fix Windows 11 Stuck on Boot Screen

Here, we've handpicked the most effective methods to help you resolve the issue of Windows 11 getting stuck on the boot screen. Before trying these methods, please ensure your power connection is stable.

Method 2: Disable Fast Startup

"Fast Startup" is a Windows feature that helps your computer restart more quickly, but it can interfere with the shutdown and reboot process, causing your PC to get stuck in a loop after an update. Try disabling "Fast Startup" to ensure that Windows 10 shuts down smoothly, allowing your computer to close completely.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and R at the same time, type powercfg.cpl, and then click “OK.”

Step 2: Click “Change what the power buttons do.”

Click “Choose what the power buttons do. ”

Step 3: Choose Change settings that are currently unavailable.

Step 4. Deselect the “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” option, and then click “Save changes.”

Step Five: Restart your computer and see if the problem is fixed.

Method 3: Run Startup Repair

If Windows won't start after an update, you can run a Startup Repair. You may need to create a Windows 10 installation media first. After creating the installation media, do the following:

Step 1. Press the F1, F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc key to enter BIOS and change the boot order. Set your USB device or DVD as the first boot device.

Step 2: Turn off your computer, insert the installation media into your computer, and then turn the computer back on. Press the appropriate key on your keyboard to boot from the USB flash drive.

Step 3: Set your language preferences and other options, and continue.

Step 4: Click on Repair your computer.

Click on “Repair your computer”.

5. In the Choose an option window in the Windows Recovery Environment, click Troubleshoot.

Click on Troubleshoot.

Step 6. In the Advanced Options window, choose Startup Repair.

Once the Startup Repair process is done, restart your computer and see if the Windows 10 update stuck on restarting error is gone.

How to Fix Windows 10 Boot Loop | 100% Effective Solutions

Is your Windows 10 stuck in a boot loop? Stay calm and check this troubleshooting guide with tools to fix the error and use your Windows 10 PC safely.

Method 4: Run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter

If there are missing, damaged, or reserved system components, or unused files, Windows 10/11 updates might get stuck during a restart. The System Maintenance Troubleshooter can be a solution, as it helps examine the computer's behavior and clean up unused files to improve its performance.

Step one: Go to the Control Panel and choose Troubleshooting.

Step 2: Choose “View All” from the left-hand sidebar of the window.

Step Three: Select “System Maintenance,” click the “Advanced” button, and uncheck the “Automatically apply fixes” option.

Select System Maintenance.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the troubleshooting process to complete.

Once the troubleshooter has finished, you can check your PC's status for any missing system components. Close the window and see if your computer is able to restart after an update.

Method 5: Restore the SoftwareDistribution package

It is reported that the Windows upgrade getting stuck on the restart issue is related to old Windows update files. To resolve this problem, you need to reset the SoftwareDistribution package in Windows Update. Here's how:

Step 1: Press the Windows key, type cmd, and then select “Run as administrator.”

Step 2. Enter each of the following commands in order, pressing Return after each one:

These are command-line instructions for the Windows operating system to stop and start the Windows Update service. Here are their translations in Chinese: 1. **Stop the Windows Update Service:** `net stop wuauserv` 2. **Change directory to the system root:** `cd %systemroot%` 3. **Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to SD.old:** `ren SoftwareDistribution SD.old` 4. **Start the Windows Update Service:** `net start wuauserv` Make sure to run the Command Prompt with administrator privileges when executing these commands. These steps are typically used to troubleshoot issues related to Windows updates or clear update caches.

After going through these steps, the issue with Windows Update getting stuck on the boot screen should be resolved. Restart your computer to see if the problem is fixed.

Method 6: Update the BIOS

During the boot process, the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) aids in initializing hardware and starting the process. Hence, updating the BIOS might resolve the issue of Windows Update getting stuck on the restart error. To update your BIOS, you can refer to the following article for assistance.

Method 7: Reset Your Computer

If none of the above solutions work, you can choose to reset your Windows PC, which can help resolve the issue of Windows getting stuck on the reboot screen.

Step 1: Go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery, and click on “Reset this PC.”

Step 2: Choose “Keep my files” or “Remove everything.”

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions, and wait for your computer to return to normal.

It's worth mentioning that if you plan to reset your computer, it's highly recommended to create a system backup first in case any unexpected issue leads to data loss.

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Expert Tip: How to Backup Your Computer for Data Safety

In fact, it's highly recommended that you create a system image of your computer before you update the BIOS, perform a boot repair, or reset your PC. This is because things can go wrong during these procedures, and prevention is often better than cure.

Thus, backing up your data or computer before making any changes to it is an essential step to ensure its safety. For this purpose, using a professional backup tool like Todo Backup is the best option, as it offers numerous advanced backup options with fewer limitations.

Todo Backup Home is a versatile and practical tool for backing up and restoring your Windows computer. It automatically backs up files, systems, disks, and applications, allowing you to reset your PC without losing data. Furthermore, it helps you store backups in various locations such as external drives, local drives, NAS, secure zones, and the cloud.

Todo Backup is a simple and smart backup software that keeps your data safe. Download it worry-free to your computer and use it to create a backup before making any changes, just in case something goes wrong.

Here's how to back up your computer using the Todo Backup tool.

Step 1: Launch Todo Backup on your computer, click “Create Backup” on the main interface, and then hit the big question mark button to choose what to back up.

Step 2. To back up the Windows operating system, click "OS" to start the backup.

Step 3: Windows will automatically select the operating system, along with all system-related files and partitions, so you don't need to make any manual selections here. Next, click on the illustrated area to choose where you want to save your system image backup.

System Backup

Step 4: The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, a network, the cloud, or a NAS. Typically, we recommend using an external physical drive or the cloud to save your system image files.

Step 5: If desired, click on "Options" to enable an automatic backup schedule (daily, weekly, monthly, or event-based), as well as differential and incremental backups. Then click "Back Up Now" to begin the Windows backup process. Completed tasks will appear as cards on the left side.

In short

This article offers 7 ways to help you fix the issue of Windows Update stuck on restarting. Whenever you encounter such a problem, you can find your answer here. You can try these methods one by one to resolve the issue of Windows 10/11 getting stuck during restart.

But before you try updating the BIOS or resetting your computer to install a fresh version of Windows, back up your data, just in case.

Here, the Todo Backup tool can come to your aid. It allows you to back up almost everything on your computer and store the backups in different locations to ensure data security. You can try and use it for free!

Frequently Asked Questions About "Windows Update Stuck on Rebooting"

**1. Why does my Windows update take so long?**

This could be due to outdated or corrupted drivers on your computer. For instance, if your network driver is outdated or damaged, it might slow down your download speed, causing Windows updates to take longer than usual. You need to update your drivers to resolve this issue.

**How to Cancel a Pending Restart in Windows 11?** To prevent a pending restart from occurring in Windows 11, follow these steps: 1. **Open Settings:** Click on the Start button (the Windows logo) on the taskbar and then select "Settings" (the gear icon). 2. **Go to Update & Security:** In the Settings window, find and click on "Update & Security." 3. **Check the Update Status:** On the left menu, choose the "Windows Update" tab. On the right side, review the current update status. 4. **Pause Updates:** If you see an option to pause updates, click "Pause updates for 7 days" or "More options" to explore pausing for a longer period. You can pause updates for up to 35 days. 5. **Manage Restart Schedule:** If the update has downloaded and is awaiting installation, look for "Restart time" or "Scheduled restart" in the update settings. Click it, then cancel or change the scheduled restart time. 6. **Disable Automatic Restart:** Go to "Advanced options" and under "Update options," locate "Notify to restart" or "Automatically restart." Ensure these options are turned off or disabled. Keep in mind that while you can temporarily block restarts, it's recommended to regularly complete updates and restart your computer to maintain system security and performance.

To stop a pending Windows 11 update that requires a restart, you can try clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder, pausing Windows 11 updates, modifying the Windows Registry, or changing Group Policy settings.

How long does a Windows Update restart take?

That depends on how much data you have. On average, it takes two hours . If it seems stuck for a long time and the hard drive light isn't blinking, the upgrade might have stopped. You can restart your PC to return to the previous version of Windows.