How to Fix “Please Wait While Windows Install a System Update”

What to do when your Windows PC gets stuck installing updates

Co-authored by Travis Boylls Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: July 15, 2024 Fact Checked

Your computer needs to update periodically to patch security threats and fix bugs. Normally, you are not supposed to interrupt your computer during an update, but what happens when it gets stuck on "Please wait while we install a system update?" This wikiHow article teaches you what to do when "Please wait while we install a system update" gets stuck.

Please Wait While We Install a System Update

This message occurs when your computer is installing a Windows or firmware update. Updates can take up to 3 hours to complete, so try to wait it out. If it's been longer than that, restart your PC and run Startup Repair and Chkdsk.

1

Wait for the update to finish.

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The update may need more time to finish. You shouldn't power off or unplug your computer while an update is underway, as this can damage the operating system. If an update is taking longer than usual, it could just be a large update. Wait at least 3 hours for the update to finish. If there is no progress after 3 hours, you can assume your computer is stuck.
- Some computers have an LED light that indicates when hard drive activity is taking place. If you see this light still flashing, this indicates the update is still taking place. If it stops flashing, your computer may be stuck.

2

Check your internet connection.

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If other devices are experiencing a slow or unstable internet connection, try restarting your modem or router.

3

Disconnect any connected devices.

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External USB and Bluetooth devices can sometimes interfere with an update and boot up. If you have any USB devices connected to your computer, such as external controllers, keyboards, mice, or USB drives, try disconnecting them to see if the update progresses.

4

Force-restart your computer if the update won't finish.

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Your computer may be frozen. If you've been waiting more than 3 hours and there is no progress on the update, you can force-restart your computer by pressing and holding the Power button until it powers off. Then, power your computer back on. Sometimes the PC will finish the update after a restart, and other times it will boot back into Windows and try to start the update again.
- Because restarting your computer manually during an update can cause errors in the file system, your computer may not boot normally afterwards. Keep reading to learn how to fix it if this happens.

5

Run a startup repair if the PC won't boot normally.

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Your startup files may be corrupt. If your computer keeps getting stuck on the system update and won't boot normally, you can try a startup repair. This will try to fix any issues keeping your computer from booting normally. To do a startup repair:^{[1]
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- Force-restart your computer 3 times. Do this as soon as you see the manufacturer's logo on the screen. This should boot into the Windows Recovery Environment.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced Options.
- Select Automatic Startup Repair.
- Follow any instructions you are prompted to follow.

6

Uninstall the latest update.

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The update may be corrupt or clashing with your system. If your computer froze during an update, it may be corrupt because it didn't download the entire update. If you can't boot into Windows, you can uninstall the latest update from Windows Recovery Environment:
- Force-restart your computer 3 times to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced Options.
- Select Uninstall updates.
- Select Uninstall latest quality updates.

7

Run the check disk utility.

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There may be a problem with your hard drive. If your hard drive cannot read or write properly, your computer will not be able to complete an update. You can use the Check Disk (chkdsk) utility to scan your hard drive for any errors and try to fix them:
- Force-restart your computer 3 times to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced Options.
- Select Command Prompt.
- Type chkdsk c: /f and press Enter.
- Wait for the check disk utility to finish

8

Boot into Safe Mode.

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Safe Mode boots Windows with minimal functionality. This will allow you to troubleshoot and uninstall problematic software and drivers. You can also try updating Windows from Safe Mode.^{[2]
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- Force-restart your computer 3 times to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Select Restart.
- Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode.

9

Free up some space.

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Boot into Windows, either using the regular boot method or boot into Safe Mode, then free up some space. Uninstall apps you no longer use or play. Delete photos and videos you no longer need. You can backup your files to cloud storage if you want to keep them.

10

Reinstall Windows.

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A fresh install should resolve stuck updates and other issues. If you can't boot into Windows and you continually receive a message that there is an update installing, you may need to reinstall Windows. Use the following steps to do so:^{[3]
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- Force-restart your computer 3 times to enter the Windows Recovery Environment.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Select Reset this PC
- Select Keep my files.
  - If this doesn't work, do it again and select Erase everything. Doing so will erase all data on your computer, so only do that as a last resort.
- Select your user account and enter your password.
- Select Reset.

11

Perform a BIOS recovery.

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If your computer is stuck trying to update and will not boot properly, there could be an issue with the BIOS. This is the firmware installed on your motherboard that handles your computer's hardware. If your BIOS is corrupt, you need recover and repair it. How you do this differs from one computer model to the next. Consult the user's manual or manufacturer's web page of your computer to learn how to recover the BIOS.