Windows 11 Upgrade Stuck Installing? 11 Fixes That Actually Work (2026)

Trying to upgrade your Windows 10 PC to Windows 11, but the installation keeps getting stuck? The upgrade may freeze during download, stop at a specific percentage (such as 35%, 75%, or 99%), or fail to complete altogether. This is a common problem that can occur even on PCs that meet the Windows 11 system requirements. In most cases, the issue is caused by corrupted Windows Update files, insufficient storage space, outdated drivers, software conflicts, or temporary system glitches. Sometimes, the installation only appears to be stuck while Windows continues processing files in the background.

In this guide, you’ll learn why the Windows 11 upgrade gets stuck and how to fix it using 12 proven solutions. Whether you’re upgrading through Windows Update, the Installation Assistant, or an ISO file, these troubleshooting steps will help you complete the upgrade successfully without losing your files.

Why Is the Windows 11 Upgrade Stuck?

Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is more complex than installing a regular monthly update. During the upgrade, Windows downloads installation files, checks your PC for compatibility, migrates your apps and settings, installs the new operating system, and configures everything before you can sign in. If any part of this process fails, the upgrade may freeze, get stuck at a certain percentage, or fail to complete.

Some of the most common reasons include:

• Insufficient storage space prevents Windows from downloading or installing the required files.
• Corrupted Windows Update components can interrupt the download or installation process.
• Outdated or incompatible device drivers, especially graphics, storage, or chipset drivers, may cause the upgrade to stop responding.
• Third-party antivirus or security software can interfere with Windows Setup.
• Corrupted system files in Windows 10 may prevent the upgrade from completing successfully.
• Connected external devices, such as USB drives, printers, or docking stations, can create hardware conflicts during installation.
• An unstable internet connection may result in incomplete or corrupted installation files when upgrading through Windows Update.
• Temporary software glitches or background processes can interrupt the upgrade process.

However, in most cases, Windows 11 upgrade problems are software-related and can be fixed with a few troubleshooting steps.

Method 1: Wait and Check if the Upgrade Is Still Running

Sometimes, the Windows 11 upgrade may appear to be stuck even though it’s still working in the background. This is common on older computers, PCs with traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), or systems upgrading large amounts of data. Restarting your computer too soon can interrupt the installation and may cause the upgrade to fail.

Before trying any other troubleshooting steps, make sure the installation has actually stopped.

1. Keep your PC turned on and connected to a reliable power source.
2. Wait at least 30 to 60 minutes if the installation percentage hasn’t moved for that long.
3. Check whether the hard drive activity light is blinking, which indicates Windows is still processing files.
4. If you’re still on the Windows 10 desktop, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and check whether the disk is actively being used.
5. If there are signs of disk activity, allow more time for the upgrade to complete.

If the installation has not progressed for several hours and there is no disk activity or other signs that Windows is still working, continue to the next method.

Method 2: Restart Your PC and Try the Upgrade Again

A temporary system glitch, a stalled Windows Update service, or a failed installation process can sometimes cause the Windows 11 upgrade to stop responding. Restarting your PC clears temporary files, refreshes Windows services, and gives the upgrade a fresh start.

1. If the installation has been stuck for several hours with no progress, press and hold the Power button until your PC turns off.
2. Wait a few seconds, then turn your computer back on.
3. Sign in to Windows 10 and allow the system to load completely.
4. Make sure your internet connection is stable.
5. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then check for the Windows 11 upgrade again.
6. If you’re using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or an ISO file, launch the upgrade again and see if the installation completes successfully.

If the upgrade gets stuck again, continue to the next method.

Method 3: Disconnect Unnecessary External Devices

External devices connected to your PC can sometimes interfere with the Windows 11 upgrade process. Devices such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, printers, webcams, docking stations, and even some wireless adapters may load incompatible drivers during setup, causing the installation to freeze or fail. Disconnecting non-essential peripherals helps eliminate potential hardware conflicts.

1. Shut down your computer completely.
2. Disconnect all unnecessary external devices, including:
   • USB flash drives
   • External hard drives or SSDs
   • Printers and scanners
   • Webcams
   • Docking stations
   • SD cards
3. Leave only your keyboard, mouse, and monitor connected.
4. Turn your PC back on.
5. Start the Windows 11 upgrade again and check whether the installation completes successfully.

If the upgrade is still stuck, proceed to the next method.

Method 4: Free Up Disk Space

Windows 11 requires enough free storage space to download installation files, extract temporary data, create recovery files, and complete the upgrade. If your system drive is running low on space, the installation may get stuck, freeze at a certain percentage, or fail before it finishes.

Before trying the upgrade again, make sure your PC has enough available storage. Microsoft recommends maintaining at least 25–30 GB of free space on the system drive to help ensure a smoother upgrade.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Storage.
3. Check the available free space on your C: drive.
4. Select Temporary files and remove files you no longer need.
5. Empty the Recycle Bin.
6. Uninstall apps and games you no longer use.
7. Move large files, such as videos and downloads, to another drive or external storage.
8. Restart your PC and try upgrading to Windows 11 again.

For the best results, keep at least 20 GB to 30 GB of free space available before installing Windows 11.

Method 5: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

The Windows Update Troubleshooter can automatically detect and fix common problems that prevent Windows updates and feature upgrades from installing correctly. It checks Windows Update services, clears incorrect settings, and repairs common update-related issues that may cause the Windows 11 upgrade to get stuck.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
3. Click Additional troubleshooters.
4. Select Windows Update, then click Run the troubleshooter.
5. Wait while Windows scans for update-related problems.
6. Apply any recommended fixes if prompted.
7. Restart your PC.
8. Try upgrading to Windows 11 again.

Note: On newer versions of Windows 10, you may find the troubleshooter under Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. If Windows recommends repairs, apply them before attempting the upgrade again.

Method 6: Check Your Internet Connection

When upgrading through Windows Update, Windows must download and verify the installation files before the upgrade begins. If your internet connection is slow, unstable, or frequently disconnects, the download may become incomplete or corrupted, causing the Windows 11 upgrade to get stuck or fail during installation.

1. Make sure your internet connection is stable.
2. Restart your modem and router if you’ve been experiencing connection issues.
3. If possible, switch from Wi-Fi to a wired Ethernet connection for a more reliable download.
4. Pause large downloads or streaming activities on other devices connected to the same network.
5. Temporarily disconnect from any VPN or proxy service, as these can sometimes interfere with Windows Update.
6. Restart your PC and try the Windows 11 upgrade again.

Tip: If the Windows 11 installation files have already been downloaded and the upgrade is stuck during the installation phase (for example, at 75% or 99%), your internet connection is unlikely to be the cause. In that case, continue to the next troubleshooting method.

Method 7: Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus Software

Some third-party antivirus and internet security programs can interfere with major Windows feature upgrades. They may block installation files, prevent Windows Setup from making system changes, or interrupt background services required to complete the upgrade. Temporarily disabling your antivirus helps determine whether it’s causing the Windows 11 installation to get stuck.

Note: This method only applies to third-party antivirus software such as Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender, Avast, AVG, or similar security programs. If you’re only using Microsoft Defender Antivirus, you can skip this method.

1. Open your third-party antivirus or internet security software.
2. Locate the option to temporarily disable Real-time Protection or Shield Protection.
3. Disable the protection for a short period, such as 15 minutes or until the next restart.
4. Keep your PC connected to the internet if Windows still needs to download the upgrade files.
5. Start the Windows 11 upgrade again and check whether the installation completes successfully.
6. Re-enable your antivirus immediately after the upgrade finishes or if the installation still fails.

If disabling your antivirus doesn’t resolve the problem, continue to the next method.

Method 8: Repair Corrupted System Files Using SFC and DISM

If Windows system files are corrupted or missing, the Windows 11 upgrade may freeze, fail during installation, or repeatedly roll back to Windows 10. Windows includes two built-in repair tools—System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)—that can scan for and repair system corruption before you attempt the upgrade again.

Step 1: Run the System File Checker (SFC)

1. Type cmd in the Windows search box.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

4. Wait for the scan to reach 100%. This may take several minutes.
5. If Windows repairs any files, restart your PC.

Step 2: Run the DISM Tool

If the upgrade still doesn’t work after running SFC, repair the Windows image using DISM.

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator again.
2. Run the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3. Wait for the process to complete. It may take 10–30 minutes, depending on your system.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Try upgrading to Windows 11 again.

Tip: Do not close Command Prompt or restart your PC while either scan is running, even if the progress appears to pause for a while.

If the Windows 11 upgrade is still stuck, continue to the next method.

Method 9: Reset Windows Update Components

Windows Update relies on several background services and cache folders to download and install updates. If these services stop working properly or the update cache becomes corrupted, the Windows 11 upgrade may get stuck during download, verification, or installation. Resetting Windows Update components clears the corrupted cache and forces Windows to create fresh update files.

1. Type cmd in the Windows search box.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Stop the Windows Update services by running the following commands one at a time:

net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc

4. Rename the Windows Update cache folders:

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

5. Restart the Windows Update services:

net start wuauserv
net start bits
net start cryptsvc

6. Restart your computer.
7. Open Windows Update and try installing Windows 11 again.

What happens when you reset Windows Update?
Renaming the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders doesn’t delete Windows itself. Instead, Windows automatically creates new versions of these folders the next time it checks for updates, replacing any corrupted update files that may have been causing the installation to fail.

If the Windows 11 upgrade is still stuck, continue to the next method.

Method 10: Update Device Drivers

Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible device drivers can prevent Windows Setup from communicating properly with your hardware during the upgrade process. This can cause the Windows 11 installation to freeze, get stuck at a certain percentage, or roll back to Windows 10. Updating your drivers before upgrading helps improve compatibility and reduces the risk of installation failures.

Drivers that most commonly cause upgrade issues include:

• Graphics (display) drivers
• Storage and SATA/NVMe controller drivers
• Chipset drivers
• Network adapter drivers

Option 1: Update Drivers Using Device Manager

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the category for the device you want to update (such as Display adapters or Network adapters).
3. Right-click the device and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
5. Install any available updates and restart your PC.

Option 2: Download the Latest Drivers from the Manufacturer

If Device Manager doesn’t find a newer driver, visit your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s support website and download the latest drivers for your model. This is especially recommended for graphics, chipset, and storage drivers, as manufacturer-provided drivers are often newer than those available through Windows Update.

After updating the necessary drivers, restart your computer and try upgrading to Windows 11 again.

Tip: If the Windows 11 upgrade started failing immediately after installing a new driver, consider rolling back that driver using Device Manager before attempting the upgrade again.

Method 11: Upgrade Using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or ISO File

If the Windows 11 upgrade repeatedly gets stuck through Windows Update, the problem may be with the Windows Update service rather than Windows 11 itself. Using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or an ISO file bypasses many Windows Update-related issues and is often the most successful way to complete the upgrade.

Option 1: Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant

The Installation Assistant is Microsoft’s official tool for upgrading eligible Windows 10 PCs to Windows 11.

1. Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft’s official Windows 11 download page.
2. Close all unnecessary applications.
3. Run the downloaded tool as an administrator.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the upgrade.
5. Keep your PC connected to power and do not interrupt the installation.

Option 2: Upgrade Using a Windows 11 ISO File

If the Installation Assistant doesn’t resolve the problem, try upgrading using the latest Windows 11 ISO.

1. Download the latest Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s official website.
2. Right-click the ISO file and select Mount.
3. Open the mounted drive and double-click Setup.exe.
4. When prompted, choose Keep personal files and apps.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade.

Tip: Disconnect unnecessary USB devices and temporarily disable third-party antivirus software before starting the upgrade. These steps can help prevent installation conflicts.

If the Windows 11 upgrade still fails after trying both methods, the issue may be related to your current Windows installation or hardware. Consider performing an in-place repair upgrade of Windows 10 first, or review the installation logs to identify the underlying cause before attempting the upgrade again.

How to Prevent Windows 11 Upgrade Problems

Although Windows 11 upgrade issues aren’t always avoidable, taking a few precautions before installing a major feature update can significantly reduce the chances of the installation getting stuck or failing.

• Keep Windows 10 up to date by installing the latest cumulative updates before upgrading.
• Maintain at least 25–30 GB of free storage space on your system drive.
• Update important device drivers, especially graphics, storage, chipset, and network drivers.
• Disconnect unnecessary USB devices such as external drives, printers, and docking stations before starting the upgrade.
• Temporarily disable third-party antivirus software to avoid installation conflicts.
• Use a stable internet connection if you’re upgrading through Windows Update.
• Back up important files before performing a major Windows upgrade.
• Avoid interrupting the installation by shutting down or restarting your PC unless you’re certain the upgrade has stopped responding.

Following these best practices can help ensure a smoother Windows 11 upgrade and reduce the risk of future installation problems.

Frequently Asked Questions