If you’re here, I’m guessing your PC has been frozen on “Working on updates 27%” for way too long. Fan humming, coffee getting cold, and you’re wondering if touching anything will make it worse. Been there. Windows updates blocking is one of those things that feels random, unfair, and honestly a bit disrespectful of your time.
Second thing to know right away : you’re not alone. This happens a lot. And no, it’s not always because your computer is “old” or “bad”. I’ve seen brand-new laptops do the same nonsense. Sometimes when it gets really messy, people end up calling a pro like https://depannageinformatiquelemans.fr just to avoid doing something irreversible. And yeah… sometimes that’s actually smart.
Why Windows updates get stuck (and why it feels so random)
Let’s be clear : Windows updates are heavy. We’re not talking about a tiny patch. Some updates are several gigabytes, they modify system files, drivers, security layers… it’s surgery, not a band-aid.
Here are the most common reasons it blocks :
Slow or unstable internet.
If your Wi-Fi drops every 10 minutes, Windows keeps retrying silently. You don’t see it, but it’s struggling. Especially with big feature updates.
Not enough disk space.
This one surprises people. Windows needs room to unpack files, make backups, and roll back if something fails. If your SSD has 5 GB left… it’s not happening.
A driver conflict.
Graphic cards, printers, old USB devices… one outdated driver can freeze the whole process. I once had a webcam from 2012 blocking everything. True story.
Corrupted update files.
Sometimes Windows downloads the update badly. Half a file missing, checksum wrong, and boom : infinite loop.
Background software fighting Windows.
Antivirus, VPNs, optimization tools… they mean well, but they can mess with updates. Ironically.
First rule : don’t panic (even if it’s been an hour)
If your update has been stuck for less than 2 hours, honestly… wait. I know it’s annoying. But pulling the plug too early is how systems get corrupted.
That said, if it’s been 3, 4, 5 hours on the same percentage with zero disk activity ? Yeah, something’s wrong.
Quick check : does the hard drive light blink at all ? Is the fan working harder sometimes ? If yes, Windows might still be doing stuff behind the scenes.
No movement at all ? Then we act.
Simple things to try before going nuclear
Restart… but carefully.
Hold the power button only if nothing has moved for hours. Windows is usually smart enough to roll back.
Disconnect unnecessary devices.
USB drives, printers, controllers. Unplug everything except keyboard and mouse. This alone fixes more issues than you’d think.
Boot into Safe Mode.
Safe Mode loads minimal drivers. From there, you can retry the update or clean things up without conflicts.
Free up disk space.
Delete old downloads, empty the recycle bin, remove unused apps. Aim for at least 20–30 GB free. Windows likes space. A lot of it.
Using Windows built-in repair tools (yes, they actually help)
Windows has a bad reputation, but some tools are genuinely useful.
Windows Update Troubleshooter.
It’s hidden, but it scans for stuck services, broken components, and resets them. Not magic, but decent.
SFC and DISM commands.
These check system files and repair corrupted ones. It sounds technical, but it’s literally copy-paste commands. And they work more often than people expect.
I’ll be honest : the interface is clunky, the messages are vague, but under the hood, these tools can save you hours.
When it keeps failing… and failing again
If the update blocks every time, at the same percentage, that’s a pattern. And patterns mean something deeper.
At that point, options are :
- Manual update via Microsoft Update Catalog
- Repair install (keeping your files)
- Full system reset (last resort)
A repair install is often the sweet spot. It refreshes Windows without deleting your stuff. It takes time, yes. But it’s cleaner than endless retries.
Final thought (and a bit of honesty)
Windows updates are necessary. Security, stability, all that. But the experience ? Still frustrating in 2025. Progress, sure… but not perfect.
If you’re comfortable tinkering, you can fix most blocked updates yourself with patience and a bit of method. If not, that’s okay too. There’s no medal for suffering alone in front of a frozen loading screen.
Question for you : how long has your update been stuck right now ? Minutes… or “I stopped counting”?