How to fix Windows Update error on Windows 10 PC. Works for Build 14986 too

If you have been experiencing issues with Windows Update on your machine, and it is giving you a tough time by throwing up some errors to which you can’t find any solution, then we have got you covered.

There are actually two ways for resetting the Windows Update components. One is using the troubleshooter application and the other one, is all by typing commands on a command line, but the former is more effective in my opinion and it upgrades you skill set to some extent.

[ap_tagline_box tag_box_style=”ap-bg-box”]By the way, this procedure works for Build 14986 too, which is the Fast Ring Insider build and people have reported of issues updating to newer build, lately.[/ap_tagline_box]

Method 1 (Manual Fix):

So let’s get started.

1. Before proceeding, backup the registry, because the following steps involve modifying it and serious problems can occur in case you modify it incorrectly.
2. On your desktop, press Win + X to bring up the power menu.
3. Select and open Command Prompt (Admin).
4. Type the following commands (Press Enter after you type each command)
   • net stop wuauserv (Stop the BITS service)
   • net stop appidsvc  (Stop Windows Update service)
   • net stop cryptsvc  (Stop Cryptographic service)
5. Type this command, and then press Enter:
   Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"
6. Type the following command, and then press Enter:
   cd /d %windir%\system32
7. Reregister the BITS files and the Windows Update files. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one.
   • regsvr32.exe atl.dll
   • regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
   • regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
   • regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
   • regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
   • regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
   • regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
   • regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
   • regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
   • regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
   • regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
   • regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
   • regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
   • regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
   • regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
   • regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
   • regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
   • regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
   • regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
   • regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
   • regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
   • regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
   • regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wups.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
   • regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
   • regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
   • regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll
8. Reset Winsock. Type the following command, and then press Enter:
   netsh winsock reset
9. Type the following command, and then press Enter:
   netsh winhttp reset proxy
10. Type the following commands and press Enter after you type each command.
    • net start bits
    • net start wuauserv
    • net start appidsvc
    • net start cryptsvc
11. Download and install the latest Windows Update agent.
12. Once done, restart the computer and check for updates under Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update.

After you have followed the long list of steps, you should be probably getting the Windows Update service up and running smoothly.

However, if you are still facing problems, Aggressive mode of fixing should solve it. This procedure is only recommended if the above steps couldn’t resolve the issues, so please check your internet connection and try re-running Windows Update before you proceed with this. (Perform below two steps AFTER step 5 and BEFORE step 6, shown above)

1. Rename the software distribution folders backup copies. Type the following commands and press Enter after you type each command.
   • Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
   • Ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
2. Reset the BITS service and the Windows Update service to the default security descriptor. Type the following commands and press Enter after you type each command.
   • sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
   • sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)

Method 2 (Using the Troubleshooter tool):

If you are not comfortable with the manual mode of eliminating issues, then download and run the official Windows Update troubleshooter on your Windows 10 machine.

Good luck and do let us know your thoughts in the comments below.