I'm writing this post to help many users who are upgrading to Windows 11 and have the installation process getting stuck at 46% during the Getting updates phase. Fortunately, the cause is usually a simple hang in the Windows Update service — and you can fix it in a matter of minutes.
Step-by-Step Fix
- When the installer freezes at 46%, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Go to the Services tab (or press Win + R, type services.msc , and hit Enter).
- Find Windows Update in the list (service name: wuauserv).
- Right-click it and select Start (if the service is stopped) or Restart (if it's already running).
- Find Windows Installer (msiserver) and repeat the same process.
- Wait 5–10 minutes: in most cases, the installation will resume and progress beyond 46%.
If the issue persists, try disconnecting the Internet during the Getting updates phase. This forces the setup to skip the online update check and continue with the local installation files.
Why This Works
During the upgrade, Windows 11 relies on background update services to fetch additional components. If the Windows Update process becomes unresponsive or fails to communicate with the installer, progress stalls at 46%. Restarting the service reinitializes that connection, allowing the setup to continue normally.
Additional Tips
- Keep your system plugged into power and connected to stable Internet if possible.
- Temporarily disable third-party antivirus software to avoid interference.
- If the setup still refuses to complete, consider creating a bootable USB drive with the latest Windows 11 ISO and performing a clean installation instead.
Conclusion
In most cases, a simple restart of the Windows Update service is all it takes to break past the 46% barrier and finish the Windows 11 installation successfully.
This article worked perfectly for me.
I started both services – which were stopped – and waited. No go.
I then restarted both services – still no go.
I then pulled my network cable, waited 1-2 minutes, and plugged it back in.
I didn’t think anything was happening…then I noticed that the windows percentage jumped to 10%, then to 20%… I let it go.
I then proceeded until the end and completed and moved on.
I was presented with the ugly “doesn’t support” page and had to click “Accept”.
At that point, it started installing Windows 11 and is now at 37%.
My fingers are crossed!
Thank you so very kindly for posting this article!
NOTE: I should have stated that I was “stuck” at 46% when, after pulling the network cable – killing the Internet – and then plugging it back in, then it magically restarted the downloading again. I 1st noticed it had restarted when I saw 10%… it’s now at 80%.
It’s taking it time… but then again, I’m using a i7 8th gen that I’ve used for years and years with PILES of apps, documents, and personal configurations. I also have a RAID controller in there with 4x 8TB SAS drives, so we’ll see shortly.
I’ll be sure and keep everyone updated.
Rest assured, I couldn’t get passed the 46% mark without Ryan’s article.
Thank you, Ryan!
Your friend in Virginia