Fix “Windows Update components must be repaired” Error on Windows 10

Updating your Windows 10 system is crucial. Besides getting access to new and improved features, updates can also bring security improvements and patch up exploits from malicious cyber-criminals.

However, many users report running into errors when updating Windows 10. One of these is getting the “Windows Update components must be repaired” error after running the Update troubleshooter.

We’re here to help you proceed from this annoying and seemingly unfixable error.

“Windows Update components must be repaired” error shows up in the Update troubleshooter.

What causes the error message “Windows Update components must be repaired”?

At the time of writing, there isn’t a definitive cause for this problem. However, the user base of Windows 10 is known for providing useful feedback, allowing us to pinpoint a few possible sources.

• The Windows Update Components are damaged or corrupted. The most likely cause of this error is the fact that the Update Components themselves were corrupted or damaged by an external source. The best thing you can do in this case is to reset these components and start with a clean plate.
• There’s a problem with verifying your operating system. Windows Update needs to be able to verify the legitimacy of your system. If this process is unable to go through, you may end up seeing the “Windows Update components must be repaired” error when running the Update troubleshooter.
• You may encounter an error message stating that there is not enough space on your device. This error may occur while trying to install a Windows 10 update on a disk with insufficient free space.
• The date and time zone settings on your PC are incorrect. Rarely, but in specific cases, a wrong date or time zone setting can break Windows Update.
• A third-party antivirus application is messing up your update. Antivirus solutions are notorious for causing Windows 10 system issues on your computer. The app you have installed right now may be blocking Windows Update from performing its job.

While some users report that general causes may lead to the “Windows Update components must be repaired” error while running the Update troubleshooter.

Fix: “Windows Update components must be repaired”

After examining some potential causes for the problem, we can now move on to resolving it. Below, you will find various techniques to eliminate this error. Some of these methods are general troubleshooting tips, while others are specific to Windows Update.

Solution 1: To boot your system in safe mode, follow these steps

Enabling safe mode on your computer means that it will only boot with the essential Windows 10 components. This can help you isolate the cause of the “Windows Update components must be repaired” error, which may have been triggered by a third-party application, and allow you to update your system accordingly.

• Launch Run by pressing the Windows + R keys, type “msconfig” and click OK.

• To access the Boot tab, please use the menu located at the top of the screen.

• Ensure Safe boot is selected under Boot options, on the default Minimal setting. Click OK to save changes.

• Restart your computer in Safe mode and allow all Bluetooth elements to install.
• Uncheck Safe boot and click OK after repeating the first 2 steps.

• To check if you can update Windows, please restart your computer.

Solution 2: Reset the Windows Update Components

After you verify that Safe mode doesn’t work, we recommend you follow up by resetting the Windows Update Components altogether. This is a long process that requires the use of the Command Prompt. However, if you correctly follow our steps, this solution is most likely to restore your updates.

• Press Windows + R to launch the Run utility. Type “cmd” and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch the Command Prompt with administrator rights.

• The first thing you need to do is stop specific services that relate to Windows Update. The services we’ll be asking you to stop are Background Intelligent Transfer, Windows Update, and Cryptographic Services. Input the following commands, pressing the Enter key after each line:
  • net stop bits
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop appidsvc
  • net stop cryptsvc
• For this step, you need to delete the qmgr.dat files from your computer. Type in the command below and press Enter:
  • Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat”
• The next step is to rename two folders using the following commands. Press Enter after each one:
  •  Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
  •  Ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
• Press Enter after each of the following commands to reset the Windows Update service security descriptor and the BITS service:
  • sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
  • sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
• A new Command Prompt may appear on your screen. Here, you have to input the following command and press Enter:
  • cd /d %windir%\system32
• Resetting the real components is the next step. It will take some time. You may find the list of commands you need to input by clicking here. Always hit the Enter key after a command!
• Restart your computer.

Solution 3: Please perform a scan using the System File Checker

The System File Checker, also referred to as SFC scan, is a tool that enables you to automatically fix various issues on your system. Running the SFC scan may help you eliminate the error message that says “Windows Update components must be repaired“.

• To launch Command Prompt with administrator permissions, press Windows key + R key, type “cmd“, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

• To execute this command, type it in and hit Enter: the file: sfc /scannow

• Hold just a second while the System File Checker finishes checking your PC. In the event that it detects faults, you can resolve them automatically with the SFC command; this may also resolve associated errors.

Solution 4: Run the DISM command

You might be able to fix the issue that was causing the Update troubleshooter to display the message “Windows Update components must be repaired” by running it.

• With administrative privileges, launch the Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, then typing “cmd” and pressing Enter. Once you are ready, hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

• To execute a command, type in the following text and press Enter: “dism.exe /Online /Restorehealth /Cleanup-Image“.

• Await the completion of the DISM process.

Solution 5: Free up space on your system disc

Inadequate space on the system drive (often the C: drive) prevents Windows Update from installing updates.

Here are some amazing video tutorials that will help you quickly clear out storage on your device.

• How to Uninstall Programs / Apps on Windows 10
• How to Use Storage Sense to Free Up Space on Windows 10
• Windows 10: How to Empty Recycle Bin
• How to Clean C Drive In Windows 10

Solution 6: Verify and adjust your time zone and date.

In rare circumstances, incorrect time zone and date settings can interfere with Windows Update. . It is advised that you verify again and fix any problems by hand.

• Select Settings after clicking the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.

• Click on the Time & Language tile.

• Make sure to have “Set the time automatically” and “Set the time zone automatically” on.

• Switch to the Region tab, then select your country.

Solution 7: Temporarily disable your third-party antivirus

As previously stated, Windows Update can be prevented from performing updates by third-party antivirus programmes. In such instance, you should temporarily disable them and then upgrade your system.

If you don’t know how to disable your antivirus, we recommend looking up its name and turning to a support website or contacting customer support.

Final Thoughts 

We’re glad you’ve read this article upto here 🙂 Thank you for reading.

We hope the methods in this article have helped you fix the ‘Windows update components must be repaired error.’

For more tips like this read our blog and help center. 

One more thing

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