Windows 11 Cumulative Update Failed: 6 Ways to Install It

You might have to download the update manually from Microsoft

by Claire Moraa
Claire Moraa
Claire Moraa
Author
Claire likes to think she's got a knack for solving problems and improving the quality of life for those around her. Driven by the forces of rationality, curiosity,... read more
Updated on
Reviewed by Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Windows Server & Networking Expert
After moving away from the corporate work-style, Alex has found rewards in a lifestyle of constant analysis, team coordination and pestering his colleagues. Holding an MCSA Windows Server... read more
Affiliate Disclosure
  • Cumulative updates contain all the previous updates released for a particular Windows version are installed automatically to the devices.
  • Sometimes they can fail because Windows Update may be having problems connecting to Microsoft's servers or there could be a problem with one of its services.

XINSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE
Fix Windows 11 OS errors with Restoro PC Repair Tool:This software repairs common computer errors by replacing the problematic system files with the initial working versions. It also keeps you away from critical file loss, hardware failure, and repairs damages made by malware and viruses. Fix PC issues and remove viruses now in 3 easy steps:

  1. Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).
  2. Click Start Scan to find Windows 11 issues that could be causing PC problems.
  3. Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer's security and performance
  • Restoro has been downloaded by 0 readers this month.

If you’re using Windows 11, you’ll want to install the latest updates as soon as possible. However, some users have reported issues installing the cumulative update on their PCs.

To help you troubleshoot these issues, we’ve put together this guide on what to do if Windows 11 cumulative update failed.

Why is the cumulative update not downloading in Windows 11?

Sometimes the cumulative update (CU) is not available to download through the Windows Update or Microsoft Update. This can be caused by a myriad of issues, as listed below:

  • The cumulative update is not available – The first reason your cumulative update is not downloading is that the cumulative updates are not available in your region yet. A reliable VPN should suffice in such a case.
  • An issue with Microsoft’s servers – If there are any server issues or connectivity problems between Microsoft and your PC, then Windows 11 cumulative update will not be downloaded at all.
  • Internet connection – Your computer’s Internet connection may be the issue. If you have a slow Internet connection, then it will affect the downloading process. 
  • Bandwidth limits – Some ISPs have bandwidth limits on their subscriptions, which could prevent you from downloading a large file like an OS update in one go. 
  • Antivirus/firewall settings – You may have a third-party firewall installed on your computer that blocks downloads and installation of new programs, including Windows cumulative updates.
  • The Windows Update service is not running – It is possible that the Windows update service has been disabled or stopped running at some point.
  • Insufficient RAM – If your computer does not have enough RAM memory, it will not be able to accommodate any downloads. This includes the Windows cumulative update or any other tasks without crashing.

How do I fix Windows 11 not updating?

As always, it is important to start with some preliminary checks before jumping to the advanced solutions:

  • Make sure that your PC meets the minimum requirements for installing the update.
  • Ensure you have enough storage space to accommodate the new update.
  • Test your connection by connecting directly to your modem or router with an Ethernet cable. 
  • Verify that the Microsoft server status is up and running.
  • Check if there are any pending reboots required after installing the update and try again after those have been completed successfully.

1. Run the Windows update troubleshooter 

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on System and select Troubleshoot.Open system troubleshooter
  3. Navigate to Other troubleshooters.other troubleshooters
  4. Click the Run option for the Windows Update troubleshooter.windows-update-run-troubleshooter runtimebroker.exe error

2. Run the DISM and SFC scans 

  1. Hit the Start menu icon, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth sfc /scannow
  3. Restart your PC.

3. Disable the antivirus temporarily 

  1. Hit the Windows button, type Windows Security in the search bar and click Open.
  2. Click on Firewall & network protection then select Public network.league of legends black screen after champion select
  3. Locate Microsoft Defender Firewall and toggle the off button.turning off Microsoft Defender Firewall Windows

4. Restart the Windows update service

  1. Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
  2. Type services.msc and hit Enter.run services.msc command
  3. Locate Windows Update service, double click on it and select Properties.
  4. Navigate to the General tab, under Startup type select Automatic from the drop-down options and click on the Start button.
  5. Next, click Apply and then OK.

5. Rename the software distribution folders

  1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar and click Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: net stop bits net stop wuauserv net stop cryptsvc ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak net start bits net start wuauserv net start cryptsvc 

6. Download the update manually

  1. Navigate to your browser and go to the Microsoft catalogue page.
  2. Search for the problematic cumulative update and hit the Download button.
  3. Click on the downloaded file and follow the on-screen prompts to install the update.

Is a cumulative update for Windows 11 necessary?

Cumulative updates are released on a regular schedule and contain fixes for any issues that may have been found since the previous update was released. 

Expert tip:

SPONSORED

Some PC issues are hard to tackle, especially when it comes to corrupted repositories or missing Windows files. If you are having troubles fixing an error, your system may be partially broken.
We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.
Click here to download and start repairing.

Microsoft releases these cumulative updates to fix bugs and make Windows 11 more stable and improve performance. They also include any new features that were not previously released in a feature update.

In most cases, Microsoft recommends installing cumulative updates as soon as they become available. Installing them ensures your computer is protected from all known vulnerabilities. 

However, if you’re running an older version of Windows 11, it’s worth checking with your IT department before installing the latest CU, as some updates tend to bring up more problems instead of solving them.

If all else fails and the Windows 11 cumulative update failed message is still present, consider performing a clean install of Windows. To prevent future cumulative update install issues, refer to our detailed article for some tips.

That’s all for this article, but keep the conversation going in the comment section below.

Still having issues? Fix them with this tool:

SPONSORED

If the advices above haven't solved your issue, your PC may experience deeper Windows problems. We recommend downloading this PC Repair tool (rated Great on TrustPilot.com) to easily address them. After installation, simply click the Start Scan button and then press on Repair All.

This article covers:Topics: