- The most common causes are unstable network and power, lack of space, and corrupted packets.
- Clear Windows Update go through cleaning SoftwareDistribution and restarting services.
- If the standard path fails, use the Installation Wizard or a USB de Boot.
Does the update Windows 11 It gets stuck at 0, 61, 99 or 100 percent and doesn't advance even on the count of three? Tranquility: it is a fairly common problem and, although it is frustrating, it almost always has a solution if you follow a logical order of verification and cleaningHere you will find a complete tour of the most common causes and methods that do they work.
The update process in Windows 11 is similar to previous versions, although with somewhat more compact packages, but shares the same Achilles heel: sometimes it freezesIt can sit for hours without moving or appear to be at 100 percent and not progress to the next phase. Let's look at why this happens, how to tell if it's really stuck, and how to fix it step by step without putting your data at risk.
Why the Windows 11 update may get stuck
Unstable internet connection. It is the star cause of the downloads that stop or the percentages that do not move. In addition to slowing down the download, an inconsistent network can corrupt packages, causing the installer to hang later on.
Power supply with cuts or spikes. Although less common, unstable nutrition can interrupt critical processes during boot or installation phase, causing progress to freeze at a specific percentage.
Insufficient space on the system drive. Major Windows 11 updates require plenty of free space to download, unzip, and apply files. If the system drive (usually C) is tight, the wizard may to stay halfway.
Corrupted or incompatible update or ISO file. A corrupted package (due to poor network or a previous failure) or faulty installation media can cause blockages in preparation, verification or in the restart itself.
Conflicting drivers or services and corrupted Windows Update components. Drivers old, peripherals that They interfere, or the Windows Update engine itself with caches and services stuck, are common triggers for the eternal 0 percent or the 100 percent that does not jump to the next phase.
Change of method in Windows 11 24H2. This version uses a system swap approach (OS Swap) to replace the old system with the new one, which improvement reliability and times, but it has also uncovered cases of blocking at specific points such as 31, 61 or 100 percent if there is little space, corrupted files or conflicts.
How to know if the update is really stuck
Download stopped at a fixed percentage (0, 90, 100, etc.) or without appreciable movement. Wait a reasonable amount of time to confirm there's no progress. If your connection is stable and the counter remains the same after a while, this is a clear indication of a blockage.
It reaches 100 percent discharge but does not continue to the next phase for hours. When the download is complete, it will normally proceed to prepare and install. If the status doesn't change, the process is probably hung and requires intervention.
It drags on for hours with no real progress. A big update may take a while, but shouldn't be stuck for an entire afternoon. Even so, be patientThere are cases where progress remained the same for more than five hours and then moved forward; even processes lasting more than 5 hours that ended well. If there's no change after a reasonable amount of time, then it's time to take action.
Quick actions before getting down to work
Restart the computer. A simple reboot can release temporary blocks and close processes that interfere with Windows Update.
Check your network connection from Settings. Go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) and check the status. If you're not connected, reconnect to your network o switch to an Ethernet cable if you can.
Check the free space. On low-resource computers, make sure there's enough space. Some guidelines suggest a minimum of 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit) for older systems. but for Windows 11 24H2 it is recommended to have at least 64 GB free to be comfortable and avoid bottlenecks.
Disconnect non-essential peripherals. Remove external drives, USB drives, and, if applicable, printers or other devices that may load services or drivers that interfere with the update.
Other quick gestures. Disable and re-enable the Windows Update service, reset update components if they have previously failed, and temporarily disable your firewall or third-party security to prevent network blockages during download or verification.
Method 1: Stabilize the network and power
Strengthens the connection. If you're using Wi-Fi, try an Ethernet cable. Restart the router and the PC, forget and rejoin the network or, if you can, switch to another stable networkA solid network minimizes the chances of corrupted packets or frozen downloads.
Avoid electrical micro-cuts. If you work in dessert, use a stable outlet or a UPS. In portable, connect it to the official charger throughout the entire process. Power outages or surges can interrupt the installation and leave it pending for a certain amount of time.
Be patient before forcing anything. As community users comment, long processes can seem to stall for hours and then resume. Only force shutdown if many hours have passed without changes, accepting that there is a (low) risk of corruption.
Method 2: Clean SoftwareDistribution and force a new download
When Windows Update components get stuck, clearing the cache often unblocks the process. To do this safely, stop key services, delete the contents of the folder, and restart them. Here's a guide to cleaning SoftwareDistribution.
- Open the Symbol of the system as administrator. Search cmd, right click and Run as administrator.
- Stop update services. Run:
net stop wuauserv& AFTERnet stop bits. - Clear the cache. Open Explorer and go to
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. Select everything and delete. If any files persist, restart and repeat. - Restart services. In the console, run:
net start wuauservynet start bits.
Then, try downloading the update again. Do it with a reliable connection to minimize download errors and avoid saturate the network during the process.
Method 3: Extend the system partition if you are short on space
Lack of space in C is one of the most common causes of blocking at 31, 61, or 100 percent. Free downloads, uninstall apps heavy or extend the system partition to ensure there's plenty of room. If you need to expand C, you'll find detailed instructions for managing partitions securely.
If you need to extend C with partition management tools, There are dedicated programs that they facilitate the task y avoid mistakes when moving or allocating space. The idea is either extend C into unallocated spaceEither take free space from another partition on the same disk.
- Scenario A: You have unallocated space next to C. Select drive C, choose resize or move, and drag the partition border to the unallocated space to add it. Apply changes and wait for it to finish.
- Scenario B: There is no unallocated space. Then, takes space from a large partition with free margin through the function of allocate space to C. Select C as your destination, choose how much to give up, confirm, and apply. Remember to make a backup if you are going to touch partitions, and do not interrupt the process once it has started.
Method 4: Install Windows 11 from a bootable USB
If your system is resisting Windows Update, a clean install or bootable media usually resolves the issue. prepare a USB with the Windows 11 image Avoid dependencies on the computer's update cache. Here's a guide to creating a bootable USB to facilitate the process.
Prepare the media on a USB. With a media creator you can download Windows 11 ISO and make it bootable on the flash drive. The process erases the USB, so use an empty one or make a copy of its contents before.
Typical steps for creating and using the installation USB. Download the tool, choose to create a bootable Windows To Go-type media if applicable, connect the USB, select the device, start the image download, and wait for it to finish. Once ready, leave the USB connected.
Boot from the USB and follow the wizard. Reboot, enter BIOS or UEFI and change the boot order to put the USB before the disk. Save, reboot, and when booting from the USB, follow the installation wizard. If you're coming from Windows 10 and want to keep the same system drive, select that partition.On new computers, make sure there is enough space.
Key Advantage: With this method you avoid corrupt downloads or stuck Windows Update services, reducing the likelihood of progress getting stuck.
Method 5: Windows Tools and Services that Unlock the Update
Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Go to Settings, System section, and open Solve problems. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter to detect and repair typical issues with the download queue, services, and caches.
Restart the Windows Update service from Services. Press the Windows key, type services.msc and open it. Locate Windows Update, right-click it, and choose Restart. Then restart your PC. and try the update again.
Check and repair system files with SFC. Open a Command Prompt as administrator and runs: sfc /scannowWait for it to finish, apply the suggested fixes, and reboot before attempting the update again.
Check the disk if you suspect bad sectors. Bad sectors can cause crashes during installation and even data loss. You can use specialized tools to check the disk's health, and if you detect physical errors, consider replacing it before continuing with the upgrade. To do so, see our guide on how to do this. troubleshoot Windows updates.
Please try the Windows 11 Setup Wizard again. If the standard way fails, download from official support the Installation wizard, run it and follow the prompts to put your system in the last version without depending on the Windows Update stream.
Additional tips and checks that make a difference
Temporarily disable your firewall or third-party security suite. Some security solutions block downloads or validations. Disable them during the update and turn them back on when you're done.
Avoid using your PC while downloading or installing. Close heavy applications, especially those that consume network or disk space, to avoid interfering with the process.
Check that there are no extra devices connected. Leave only the keyboard, mouse, and, if applicable, the network cable. Printers, capture cards, or USB hubs may require drivers that complicate installation.
If the percentage doesn't advance but the disk works, let it work. During the preparation phase, the indicator may remain fixed while the system validates and organizes files. Give it some leeway before taking drastic measures.
Force restart is the last resort. If after many hours there are no changes and the PC is not responding, you can force shutdown by holding down the power button. There is a low risk of corruption, but sometimes it is the only way to regain control and apply the solutions above.
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