This article provides information about how to resolve issues with updating Windows 10, for cases where you are either not able to install Windows updates or where an installed update is causing problems with your device's performance.
Windows 10 by default will normally check for and install updates regularly. You can also customise how frequently it will update through your settings.
If Windows is permitted to automatically update, this will typically occur when shutting down or restarting your device.
To check for Windows updates manually:
- Open your Settings and select 'Updates & Security'.
- Select 'Windows Update' from the menu on the left.
- Click 'Check for updates' and then install any available updates.
You can also temporarily disable Windows updates through the above method by navigating to 'Pause updates' > 'Advanced options' > 'Pause updates' and then specifying how long updates should be disabled for.
If you are having issues with installing Windows updates, please see the relevant section below for some troubleshooting suggestions to correct any errors.
Cannot Install Windows Updates
If you are not able to successfully install Windows updates on your device at all, please attempt the following troubleshooting suggestions.
- Try restarting your laptop and then attempt to install any updates again.
- Try updating Windows several times consecutively.
- Check that your Internet connection is stable.
- Disconnect any external devices, including storage drives, monitors, headphones, printers and other devices.
- If you are allowing Windows to update automatically, try installing updates manually through your Settings instead.
- Make sure that you have enough free storage space on your drive to install the update. Delete any unnecessary files and uninstall any programs that are no longer needed, then try again to update the laptop.
- If you have installed any third-party software recently, uninstall this software, then try again to update Windows.
- Antivirus software sometimes can block Windows updates. If you have any non-Windows antivirus software installed on your device, temporarily uninstall this software and then try to update Windows. Remember to reinstall your antivirus software afterwards.
- Update your laptop's drivers:
- Information about how to update your Atlas laptop's drivers is available in the following guide: I Need To Update Or Reinstall The Drivers For My Kogan Laptop Or Mini PC
- Further advice about how to update your drivers is available on Microsoft's website here.
Installed Windows Updates Are Causing Errors
If you have recently installed a Windows updates on your device, but this update has caused your device's operating system to not work correctly, please attempt the following troubleshooting suggestions.
- Restart your device and check whether the problem persists.
- Check Device Manager for installation errors:
- Open your Settings and search for 'Device Manager'.
- In the list of devices, check for any devices that are marked with a yellow exclamation mark. Open each category to view all devices.
- If you find a device with an installation error, right click the device's name and then select either 'Update Driver Software' or 'Uninstall'.
- Uninstall any recent Windows updates:
- Navigate to 'Settings' > 'Update & Security' > 'Windows Update'.
- Click 'View update history'.
- On the 'View update history page' that opens, click 'Uninstall updates'.
- Right click the most recent Windows update on the list that opens, then select 'Uninstall'.
- Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation.
- Once the update has been uninstalled, update Windows again.
- Update your laptop's drivers:
- Information about how to update your Atlas laptop's drivers is available in the following guide: I Need To Update Or Reinstall The Drivers For My Kogan Laptop Or Mini PC
- Further advice about how to update your drivers is available on Microsoft's website here.
- Attempt to repair any hard-drive errors using Command Prompt:
- Through the Start menu, navigate to Windows System > Command Prompt.
- In the window that opens, type chkdsk/f C: and then press 'Enter'.
- Allow your device to complete the repair process and then restart your device when prompted to.
- Perform a clean boot of Windows.
- Microsoft has provided instructions for performing a clean boot of Windows here.
- If you are not able to boot the computer at all and are presented with a blue error screen at startup, the following guide provides some further troubleshooting suggestions: Atlas Laptops - Windows 10 Blue Screen Errors
Microsoft has provided some further troubleshooting information for update installation errors, which you can view here.
For further assistance with your laptop, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Care Team through your account dashboard. We will be happy to help.