FIX: Windows 10 Update 1803 fails to install (Solved)
Last updated on November 22nd, 2018
Microsoft released on Monday (30/4/2018) the last big update for Windows 10, known as "Windows 10 April 2018 Update Version 1803". But, as usually happens with many updates, the new Windows 10 1803 update, fails to install on some PC's for unclear reasons.
When the installation of Windows 10 v1803 update failed, the users faces one of the following symptoms on their systems:
Symptom No1: When the download of Windows 10 April 2018 v1803 update is completed, Windows restarts to install update. But, after the system restart, the system stuck during the update installation or at Windows Logo and the only method to get the PC back, is to force shutdown the machine using the Power switch.
Symptom No2: During the installation of the v1803 update on Windows 10, the system suddenly restarts and starts to revert changes and goes to the previous Windows 10 version (v1709). When the previous version is restored, the system starts to download again the latest update for Windows 10 v1803, but the installation of the update, always fails with the same symptoms or gives the error 0xc1900101.
How to fix: Feature update to Windows 10, version 1803 Failed to install.
Suggestions: Before proceeding to update your system:
1. Completely uninstall any 3rd party antivirus or security program from your system, before installing the update.
2. Disconnect any USB connected devices that you don't need. (e.g. USB Wireless Mouse or Keyboard Receiver, USB Wireless Network Card, etc.).
3. Be patient…the update takes a few hours to download and install.
4. Before applying the methods mentioned below, try the following:
1. Run the 'Windows Update Troubleshooter' from Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Windows Update, OR – better – download and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
2. Download and install the latest Servicing Stack Update for Windows 10 v1709 (KB4090914).
3. Try to install the Update.
Method 1. Force Windows 10 to Download the Update v1803 from Scratch.
Method 2. Download & Install the Windows 10 April 2018 v1803 Update Manually.
Method 3. FIX Windows corruption errors with DISM & SFC tools.
Method 4. Install Windows 10 v1803 Update with an IN-Place Upgrade.
Method 5. Disable Windows 10 Automatic Update.
General troubleshooting guide for Windows 10 updates.
Method 1. Force Windows 10 to Download the Update v1803 from Scratch.
Step 1. Delete the Windows Update folder.
The Windows Update folder (C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution), is the location where Windows stores the new updates after downloading them. In many cases, the "SoftwareDistribution" folder's contents become corrupted and cause problems during downloading or installing updates. At these cases all these problems can be easily bypassed if you delete the "SoftwareDistribution" folder and its contents in order to force Windows to re-download the update(s).
To delete the Windows Update folder:
1. Simultaneously press the Win 
+ R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type the following command and press OK.
- services.msc
3. From the list of services, at the right pane locate the Windows Update service.
4. Right click on "Windows Update" service and choose Stop. *
5. Close "Services" window.
* Note: If you cannot stop the Windows Update service, then:
a. Double click on it to open its Properties.
b. Set the Startup type to Disabled and click OK.
c. Restart your computer.
d. After restart, continue below.
6. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows folder.
7. Locate and then Delete the SoftwareDistribution folder. *
* Notes:
1. If you cannot delete the folder with error "Folder in use – try again", then restart Windows in "Safe Mode" and repeat the procedure.
2. If you have disabled the Windows Update service (Startup type = Disabled), then go to services and set the Startup type to Automatic.
8. Restart your computer.
Step 2. Download and try to install the Update v1803.
1. After the restart, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Finally let Windows to download and install the update again.
Method 2. Download & Install the Windows 10 April 2018 v1803 Update Manually.
The second method, to resolve the issues while downloading or installing the Windows 10 April 2018 update 1803, is to download and install the update using the "Windows Update Assistant": To do that:
1. Follow the instructions at Step-1 from Method-2 above and delete the "SoftwareDistribution" folder.
2. Navigate to Windows 10 download site and click the Update now button.
3. When asked, click to Run the "Windows10Upgrade9252.exe" file to start the installation immediately, or click the Save button to run the installer later.
4. Finally click the Update Now button and follow the on screen prompts to install the Update.
Method 3. FIX Windows corruption errors with DISM & SFC tools.
1. Open command prompt as administrator. To do that:
1. In the Search box type: cmd or command prompt
2. Right click on the command prompt (result) and select Run as Administrator.
2. At the command prompt window, type the following command & press Enter:
- Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
3. Be patient until DISM repairs component store. When the operation is completed, (you should be informed that the component store corruption was repaired), give this command and press Enter:
- SFC /SCANNOW
4. When SFC scan is completed, restart your computer.
5. Try to update your system again.
Method 4. Install Windows 10 v1803 Update with an in-place Upgrade.
Another method that usually works, to fix Windows 10 update problems, is to perform a Windows 10 Repair-Upgrade, by using the Media Creation tool to create an ISO or USB Windows 10 install media. For that task follow the detailed instructions on this article: How to repair Windows 10.
That's it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
Arsaintech
Dec 05, 2018 @ 19:35:21
Very helpful information. Thank you for sharing.
Tee
Dec 03, 2018 @ 13:34:28
Thank you so much for this. I've been going mad for months and I think this has solved it.
Linux Wannabe
Nov 04, 2018 @ 18:03:10
I now give up!!!!!
I tried all above and nothing works.
I think that Micrsoft has coming to be a real problem to them selves.
All updates are so big nowadays so the risk that something happens is now more than 50 %.
You are lucky if you get away with a clean update. You are now sitting with 120 hart RPM when ever an update is ongoing.
I just wasted Saturday and Sunday in trying EVERYTHING!!!!!!
Now i have to admit that I have to start al over again from scratch with a factoryreset.
I hate Windows 10 ……………
Matthias
Oct 25, 2018 @ 22:36:02
It worked.
I just disabled my antivirus for the duration of the installation.
The installation did reach 90% (+-+-) and then go back to 0% (+-+-+),
but that second time it did finish.
I was not present to observe the exact numbers that it jumped to.
Elle
Oct 11, 2018 @ 11:00:20
This article has been very useful. Ended my hours of troubleshooting. Thank you so much.
Marcus
Sep 09, 2018 @ 16:41:39
What ended working for me was in in BIOS > Advance > Chipset >Intel VT-d > Change ENABLED to DISABLED
Mike
Dec 01, 2018 @ 00:45:24
THIS!!!!!
Worked like a charm, thanks.
How did u figure it out man??
David J
Aug 31, 2018 @ 18:34:27
Thanks for the exhaustive treatment of this issue. Fortunately, my problem was solve by following some of the first steps that you suggest.
1. Remove antivirus program
2. Remove USB wireless devices
3. Open 'Services.msc', STOP Windows Update (Didn't delete Software Distribution folder)
4. Clicked on Update Assistant on my desktop.
That worked Thanks so much!
Tom
Aug 22, 2018 @ 23:09:54
Method 2 above worked for me.
Ralph
Aug 17, 2018 @ 22:48:39
Intel SSD driver and Conexant ISST Audio made rollback issue updating 1709 to 1803.
Buegues
Aug 17, 2018 @ 22:27:37
Instead of switching off Windows Update you can hide particular update.
In order to do that get from microsoft site and run script named wushowhide.diagcab
Dinsdale
Jul 31, 2018 @ 21:56:41
Thanks for all the tips. My solution to fix the problem on my old man's HP Pavilion, was to update the BIOS to the latest rev. After update, smooth sailin'. Well, still took 2,5h to complete.
vmelts
Jul 11, 2018 @ 16:41:50
Thank you so much! The update failed a number of times on my machine, and I started to look for a solution. I found this page, I followed these instructions and now the update is in. Thanks again!
Moorea
Jul 05, 2018 @ 21:10:04
Greetings! Quick question: would CCleaner be a 3rd party antivirus or security program?
lakonst
Jul 06, 2018 @ 09:02:05
@Moorea: CCleaner is not an antivirus. But is always better to have less programs at startup during upgrade.
Adam
Jun 27, 2018 @ 00:40:13
Thanks a lot. Method 2 finally worked for me!
Tim Richardson
Jun 26, 2018 @ 11:30:37
I had a big problem with it getting stuck at reboot.
I followed step Method 3 (the previous tips did not work) and I also used msconfig to disable every startup service which was not Microsoft. I also deleted logitech software and some residual anti-virus.
This computer is a dual boot Linux/Windows computer, and because it was getting stuck at Windows boot, I thought it may be due to dual boot, but it wasn't. I can tell you that Windows updating is a lot worse than linux these days. This was a bad experience.
Thank you so very much for the tips.
Charles
May 28, 2018 @ 17:08:12
Thank you for this article. After 1703 abomination soiled my laptop, the suggestions here: repair the windows update, force the 1803 download broke me out of the reboot/fail cycle.
Daan
May 28, 2018 @ 14:17:54
Thanks for the article. I tried all the steps and updated the graphics card drivers prior to the update installation. However, each time the installation manages to get to 86% and then fails and reverts to the previous version of Windows. :-(
Fritz
May 16, 2018 @ 14:25:29
Thanks a lot. Method 2 finally worked for me!
ANYMS
May 16, 2018 @ 02:22:02
Interesting….
Mike Hayes
May 14, 2018 @ 04:01:59
Have the issue of 1803 install/fail/retry over and over. Using the above
step (any) won't work on my PC as Windows Update service properties shows it running and all is grayed out. (Yes I'm Admin)
3.Double click to launch Windows Update service's properties.
4. Set the Startup Type to Disabled and click OK.
Doesn't work because everything in is grayed out!
I don't remember for sure, but I had a client last month whose PC had been failing on 1709 since it's release due to out of memory issues and these same steps were called for. None worked. I ended up creating a boot media with the latest patches incorporated and doing the reinstall Windows 10. I wasted so much time trying so many other ways until I bit the bullet and did the reinstall.
What I don't understand is if MS pulled 1803, why is Win 10 Update downloading it (a week ago)
JohanM
May 10, 2018 @ 09:59:36
Thanks for your time and great knowledge. In my case the problem was in differenet place. Problem was in encryption of my system partition. I am using VeraCrypt… Solution for me was uncrypt system drive and then install windows update (1803).. Sorry for my English
Phiovo
May 08, 2018 @ 15:29:10
thanks a lot, this article is very useful. I respect you Bro!
rootstirea
May 07, 2018 @ 07:06:51
Thanks a lot for the article post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.