5 Ways to Fix Windows Keeps Installing the Same Update

Quick Tips

• In most cases, running the Windows Update troubleshooter should prevent the same update from installing again.
• Run SFC and DISM scans to fix issues caused by corrupted system files.
• Resetting the Windows Update components is an effective way to fix various issues related to system updates, including this one.

Fix 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Whenever you encounter any issues with Windows Updates, you should first run the built-in troubleshooter. It scans your system for any issues that may have forced Windows to repeatedly install the same update and attempt to fix them. Here’s how to run it.

Step 1: Click the search icon on the taskbar, type troubleshoot settings, and press Enter.

Step 2: Select Other troubleshooters.

Step 3: Click the Run button next to Windows Update.

Fix 2: Check Update History

A common reason your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC may keep installing the same update is if the previous installation failed to complete. To check for this possibility, review the update history of your Windows PC. Here’s how to do that.

Step 1: Press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open the Settings app. Switch to the Windows Update tab and click on Update history.

Step 2: Scroll through the list and see if you find any failed updates.

If you encounter a failed update, some of the files associated with that update may have gotten corrupted. In that case, you must delete the existing update files from the SoftwareDistribution folder and download them again.

Fix 3: Uninstall and Reinstall the Problematic Update

Another way to stop Windows from installing the same update over and over is to uninstall the problematic update and reinstall it. Here’s how to go about it.

Step 1: Press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open the Settings app. Navigate to the Windows Update tab and click on Update history.

Step 2: Under Related settings, click on Uninstall updates.

Step 3: Locate the problematic update and click the Uninstall option next to it.

Step 5: After Windows removes the update, click the Windows Update tab in the left pane. Then, click the Check for updates button at the top right to download and install the update again.

Fix 4: Run SFC and DISM Scans

Windows updates may be repeating on your PC because of corrupted or missing system files. If that’s the case, running the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scans will help.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Terminal (Admin) from the list.

Step 2: In the console, type the following command and press Enter:

SFC /scannow

Step 3: Run the following commands individually and press Enter after each to run the DISM scan:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After the scan completes, restart your PC and check if the issue occurs again.

Fix 5: Reset Windows Update Components

Resetting the Windows Update components effectively fixes issues related to system updates. So, if all else fails, use the following steps to reset Windows Update components as a last resort.

Step 1: Click the search icon on the taskbar, type Windows powershell, and select Run as Administrator.

Step 2: In the console, run the following commands one by one, and press Enter after each command:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Restart your PC one more time after running the above commands. Following that, Windows should not ask you to install the same update.