How to Fix Optional Features Missing or Not Installing on Windows 11

Quick Tips

• Ensure Windows Update and related services are running. Restart them via the Services app.
• Use the built-in troubleshooter to identify and resolve issues with Windows Update.
• Temporarily disable your antivirus software, as it may interfere with installation.

Fix 1: Disable Metered Connection

Windows has a metered connection feature that reduces data consumption and helps save on internet bills. This feature is helpful to everyone on a limited internet data usage plan. But like most Windows features, it also has its downside.

Step 1: Firstly, press the Windows + I keys shortcut to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click the Network & internet option from the left sidebar.

Step 3: Click on Wi-Fi on the right pane and select the Wi-Fi connection you use.

Step 4: Finally, scroll down and turn off the toggle next to the Metered connection option.

That’s it. Now, go back and check if the optional features install failed error is resolved. If not, check out the next fix.

Fix 2: Run the SFC and DISM Scan

Step 1: Press Windows + S to open the Search menu. Then, type Windows PowerShell and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2: Click Yes on the User Account Prompt pop-up.

Step 3: Type the following command in the console and press Enter.

sfc /scannow

The scanning process may take some time. After it is complete, a message will appear indicating whether the scan found any problems and whether it could be repaired.

If running the SFC scan wasn’t helpful, consider running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) scan. To run the DISM scan, open the Windows PowerShell with administrative rights again, run the following commands one by one, and press Enter after each command:

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

Finally, restart your computer and try to download the optional features again. If this method didn’t help, maybe the next fix will, continue reading.

Fix 3: Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Step 1: Open the Settings app and choose System from the left sidebar.

Step 2: Select the Troubleshoot option in the right pane.

Step 3: Choose Other troubleshooters.

Step 4: Click the Run button next to Windows Update.

The Windows Update troubleshooter will appear and start looking for issues. If it finds any, it will automatically fix them without much user input. If this method didn’t help, move on to the next one.

Also Read: How to enable or disable Smart App Control in Windows 11

Fix 4: Temporarily Disable the Security Program

If you’re using Windows Security as the default security app, here are the steps to disable it.

Step 1: Firstly, press Windows + S to open the search menu. Then, type Windows Security and press Enter.

Step 3: Choose Virus & threat protection from the left sidebar.

Step 4: Choose Manage settings.

Step 5: Turn off the toggle under Real-time protection.

Step 6: Finally, click Yes on the User Account Control window that pops up.

That will disable Windows Security until you restart your computer and activate it again. Try to install the optional features again and check if the problem persists. This should fix the optional features couldn’t install error; if it doesn’t, check out the next fix.

Tip: To disable a third-party security application on your computer, right-click on its icon in the system tray area and choose the Disable option.

Fix 5: Restart the Windows Module Installer Service

Step 1: Firstly, in the Windows Search menu, type Services and press Enter.

Step 2: Scroll down to the Windows Update service and double-click on it.

Step 3: Use the drop-down next to Startup type and select Automatic. Then, click the Start button under Service status.

Step 4: Click Apply and OK to save the changes.

Next, repeat the above steps for Background Intelligent Transfer Service and Windows Modules Installer Service to set their Startup type to Automatic. Check our post if Services is not opening on Windows 11.

Are you still facing the issue? There’s probably corruption in the Windows update components causing a problem.

Fix 6: Reset the Windows Update Components

You can reset the Windows update components, which will stop the Windows update services and flush the content of the SoftwareDistribution and catroot2 folders. After that, restart the Windows update services.

Note: After you reset Windows Update components, the service will download fresh and complete new copies of the files to install them on your Windows computer.

Step 1: Firstly, open the Search menu, type Windows PowerShell, and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: In the PowerShell window with administrative privileges, 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

After that, you may want to run Windows Updates from the Settings app. This should resolve the optional features couldn’t install error. If it didn’t, move on to the next fix.

Fix 7: Disable Hide Windows Features

Step 1: Firstly, press Windows keys on your keyboard. Then, type gpedit.msc, and click Open.

Note: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box, type gpedit.msc, and click OK.

Step 2: In the left pane, select User Configuration under Local Computer Policy.

Step 3: In the right pane, double-click on Administrative Templates. 

Step 4: Select the Control Panel option. 

Step 5: Under the Control Panel option, navigate to Programs.

Step 6: Now double-click Hide “Windows Features”.

Step 7: Finally, choose the Disabled option. Finally, click on Apply, followed by OK.

That’s it. Now, exit the Group Policy Editor and check if the issue with the optional features has been resolved. If not, check out the next fix.

Fix 8: Restore Windows Features Using PowerShell

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard. Then, type PowerShell and click Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type the below command and hit Enter.

Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online

This command will display all the available FeatureName and their State that you can use.

Step 3: To turn certain features on, copy-paste the below command and press Enter.

Note: Replace FEATURENAME with the one you want to enable or disable.

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName FEATURENAME

And that’s that. Finally, restart your PC for the changes to take effect. Once your PC reboots, this feature will be added to your PC, which you can enable or disable in the features window. If none of the fixes above helped, move on to the final fix.

Fix 9: Update Windows to the Latest Version

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard. Then, type Settings, and click Open.

Note: Alternatively, quickly press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Windows Settings.

Step 2: Go to Windows Update.

Step 3: Now, click the Check for updates button on the right pane.

Step 4: Finally, if an update is available, click the Download now button to download and install it. 

Note: Depending on the size of the update and the speed of your internet connection, the update may take a few minutes to an hour to download and install. 

Once you have installed the latest Windows update, restart your computer. Once you are back, all the issues with optional features not showing, install failure, or couldn’t install should be resolved. If the problem persists, you may consider restoring the system or contacting Microsoft Support for further assistance.

If you have any queries we missed addressing, check out the FAQ section below.

FAQs on Fixing Optional Features Missing or Not Installing

Now that you know how to fix optional features missing or not installing errors in Windows 11, you can navigate through the error to fix it and, in turn, enhance the overall Windows experience.