Fix: One of the Update Services is not running properly in Windows 11

While running an update on Windows 11, if you receive a message that says One of the update services is not running properly, it indicates Windows Update services error. It can occur when one or more critical Windows Update services, like Windows Update or Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), are disabled due to corrupt files, conflicting third-party software, or malware. This can cause a delay in updating Windows. To fix this, here’s a guide to various suggestions to resolve this error message.

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One of the Update Services is not running properly in Windows 11

Fix 1: Check Background Services

Here are the steps you should follow to check if there’s a Windows Update Services error.

Step 1: Press the Win + R keys to open the Run command box. Then type services.msc and press the Enter key.

Step 2: In the pop-up window, find and double-click the Windows Update service.

Service pop up window is displayed, and Windows update option is selected.

Step 3: The Windows Update Properties window will appear, and set the Startup type to Automatic.

Step 4: Then, if the Service status is Stop, click Start. Then click Apply and OK sequentially.

Windows Update Properties window is displayed where startup typeis set to automatic and service statuts is set to stopped.

Step 5: Go back to the Service window and find Background Intelligent Transfer Service and double-click it.

Service pop up window is displayed, and Background Intelligent Transfer Service is selected.

Step 6: Make sure that the Startup type is set to Automatic in the pop-up window.

Windows Update Properties window is displayed where startup typeis set to automatic and service statuts is set to stopped.

Step 7: Then, click Start if the Service status is Stop. Click Apply and OK to save the changes. After following all the steps, restart your computer and check if the error is now fixed.

Fix 2: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

If the error still exists, you can run the Windows Update Troubleshooter by following the given steps:

Step 1: Go to the computer’s settings, find System on the left side

Step 2: Select Troubleshoot on the right side and navigate towards Other Troubleshooters.

The main panel is focused on the System category, showing various options including, multitasking, activation, troubleshoot, recovery, for developers and projecting ths to PC.

The main panel is focused on the System category, showing options under Troubleshoots, including recommended troubleshooter preferences and other troubleshooters.

Step 3: Select the Windows Update option and click on Run.

The main panel is focused on the System category, showing quick troubleshoot options for Audio, Network and Internet, Printer, and Windows Update, each with a Run option next to them.

Fix 3: Uninstall the Conflicting Apps

If the Windows Update Services error continues, you can try removing the conflicting apps. In order to find out the conflicting apps, you need to perform a clean boot by performing the given steps.

Step 1: Open Run by pressing Windows + R → type msconfig → Enter.

Step 2: In System Configuration, choose Selective startup, uncheck Load startup items, keep Load system services checked, and use the original boot configuration.

System Configuration window is displayed showing various selection, including normal startup, diagnostic startup and selective startup.

Step 3: In the Services tab, tick Hide all Microsoft Services and click Disable all.

Step 4: Head to Startup → Task Manager → Startup apps, then disable all items. Click Apply → OK, and reboot if required.

The image dispalyed is of the System Configuration window focused on the "Startup" tab. The tab contains the message "To manage startup items, use the Startup section of Task Manager" and a link labeled "Open Task Manager."

After performing a clean boot, check if you can update the Operating System.

Following this, enable the apps or processes, or services one by one till you find the problematic apps. After you find it, you can uninstall the conflicting apps.

Fix 4: Try Updating Windows Manually

You can manually download and update Windows from the Microsoft Update catalog (https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx). You can search for the specific update code in the Microsoft Update Catalog and click on Download. Then, by following the installation instructions, finish installing the update.

The image shows Microsoft Update Catalog website. It contains a search box with the label Search to the right. Below the search box, there is a Welcome message inviting feedback and instructions.