How to Fix Windows Update ERROR: “we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down”

Do you face an error which says ‘we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down’? If you find this error, you are able to fix it by applying the methods that we will explain below. However, before you apply the methods below to fix the error, it is better for you to back up your files to avoid improper operation.

Restarting Windows Update Service

If you find that Windows cannot complete the installation Win 10 update, you are able to try to fix it by restarting the Windows update service. How to do that? You are able to follow the steps below.

• First, you have to open the Run dialog by pressing the Windows key and R key together.
• After that, you have to type services.msc in the box and then click on OK to continue.

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• When you are in the Services window, you have to scroll down to be able to find Windows Update Service.

• And then, you have to right click, choose Properties and then change its Startup type to Automatic. Also, you have to change its Service status to Running.

• In this step, you have to click on the Apply and OK to save the changes.
• After you do the steps above, then you have to reboot your computer and run Windows Update again to see whether the error is still there or not.

Uninstalling Third-Party Antivirus Software

It is important for you to know that the third party antivirus software may cause Windows 10 update could not complete the installation problem. It is because the third party software may block the Windows update installation. So, you are able to uninstall the third party antivirus software temporarily for fixing this problem. Do you know how to uninstall third party software in your PC? You are able to follow the steps below.

• First, you have to open the Control Panel.
• After that, you need to select Uninstall A Program under Programs section.
• And now, in the pop up window, you have to choose the antivirus software and then right click on it.
• Here, you have to choose Uninstall to delete the third party antivirus software.

After you reinstall the third party antivirus software, now you are able to reboot your PC and then run Windows Update again to check whether the error is fixed.

Downloading The Most Recent Servicing Stack Update

Another way that you are able to do to fix an error which says ‘we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down’ is trying to download the most recent servicing stack update and then install it on your PC. However, before you download it, it is important for you to know whether you are using a 32 bit or 64 bit Windows.

So, how to check what version of Windows you are using and download the servicing stack update? You are able to follow the steps below.

• First, you have to open Settings by pressing Windows key and I key together.
• After that, you have to select System.
• And here, you need to scroll down to find About from the left panel.
• When you are on the right panel, you have to select System Type under Device Specifications to find what Windows version you are using.

• After that, you are able to download the latest servicing stack update KB4456655 which matches your version of Windows from Microsoft Update catalog.
• In this step, you have to install it on your PC.

Now, you are able to reboot your PC and then run Check For Updates again to see whether the error is still there or not.

Fixing Corrupted Windows Update Database

You will fail to update Windows to the latest version and find the error which says ‘we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down’ if the Windows update database is corrupted or the components of Windows update are damaged. If the reason for this error is this, you have to fix the corrupted Windows update database. How to do that? You are able to follow the steps below.

• The first thing that you have to do is to type Command Prompt in the search box of Windows and then you have to choose the best-matched one.
• After that, you have to right click to select Run as Administrator.
• In the Command Line window, you have to type the commands below and do not forget to 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 wuauservnet start cryptSvc

net start bits

net start msiserver

• In this step, you have to wait for the process to be done and then you are able to close the command line window.

If the process is done, now you are able to reboot your computer and run Windows Update again to see whether the error is still there or not.

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Updating via ISO File

If you have done the methods above, but no one works, you can try to update Windows 10 via the ISO file. To do that, you can follow the steps below.

• First, you have to download Windows Media Creation Tool.
• After that, you have to run it on your PC.
• In this step, you have to follow the on-screen wizard to continue.
• You will find the ‘What do you want to do page’ and on that, you have to choose ‘Create an installation media’ (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC’.

• Next, you must choose the Language, Windows Edition and Architecture.
• And then, select what kind of media storage device that you want to use. Here, you must select the ISO file.

• Then, follow the wizard to continue and you must wait patiently.
• After the ISO file is created successfully, you have to mount it.
• Now, go to the location where the ISO file is saved and then you must right click the ISO file and choose Properties.
• Navigate to the General tab and click Change. Choose Windows Explorer to open the ISO file and click on Apply.
• Now, right click the ISO file and choose Mount.
• You must double click the ISO file to see the files within and then double click setup.exe to begin Windows 10 set up.