How To Fix Corrupt Windows Update Database?

How to fix corrupt windows update database? Windows Update as you know is the most important built-in tool in windows. It helps you keep your computer up-to-date with the latest security fixes and other improvements. Sometimes, errors might occur during the update process which can result in Windows Update crashing or Windows Update service stopped working issue. This can happen for a number of different reasons including, but not limited to an incompatible antivirus or firewall.

Some Windows 10 users have complained about a few issues they’ve faced with their ‘Windows Update’ process. According to these people, when they tried to fix update-based problems with the Windows Update Troubleshooter, the troubleshooter program can remedy all the issues that arise except for the ‘Windows Update Database’ error.

If you’re experiencing such problems as well, don’t worry. You’re right where you need to be right now because this article will show you how you can quickly fix this problem. But first, let’s look at the troubleshooter method and then get it out of the way.

List of Methods on How to Fix a Corrupt Windows Update Database

Run the Troubleshooter

Here are the steps on how to fix a corrupt Windows update by running the troubleshooter:

1. In your Windows Search box, key in “troubleshooting” and then click on the ‘Troubleshooting’ tab. Next, select ‘View All’ (which is on the left window pane).
2. When the Troubleshoot computer problems have been listed, select ‘Windows Update.’ Carefully follow all the on-screen instructions provided to you and let the Troubleshooter program run.
3. The Troubleshooter program will then fix the Database Corruption Error. Restart the computer and then try installing the updates again.

In case the troubleshooter program is corrupted or doesn’t work, you can go to the Microsoft site and manually download the Troubleshooter.

Clean Boot the PC and then Update Windows

If the method above does not work, try these steps:

1. Press your Windows Key plus R button, type in “MSConfig,” and then click OK.
2. Check the ‘Selective Start’ option found under the General Tap. From there, you will find the ‘Load Startup Items’. Uncheck that option.
3. Under the General tab, ensure the ‘Selective Startup’ has been checked. Under Selective Startup, uncheck the ‘Load Startup Items.’
4. Click on the Service tab and then check the ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ box. Once you’ve done this, click the ‘Disable all’ feature so that the unnecessary services that might be causing conflict can be disabled.
5. Next, click the ‘Open Task Manager’ option in the Startup tab. Now, inside Task Manager, located in the Startup tab, disable all the enabled startup items.
6. Click OK and restart your PC. Once up and running, try updating Windows once again. This time around, you should be able to update your Windows. Once again, press your Windows Key plus R button, key in “MSConfig” (again), and then click OK. On the General tab that appears, click OK on the ‘Normal Startup’ option. When this prompts you to restart the PC, click Restart. This is a great way to ensure fixing the Database Corruption Error.

Rename Software Distribution Folder

Here’s another method that might work:

1. Press the Windows Key plus X button then select ‘Command Prompt.’
2. Now, to stop all Windows Update Services, there are some commands you’ll need to key in. Once these commands are entered, you’ll then need to press the Enter button after each command has been keyed in. Some of these commands include
   *   netstop wuauserv
   *   netstop cryptSvc
3. After this, you’ll then have to key in a few other commands to rename your Software Distribution Folder.
4. Lastly, insert the commands we highlighted earlier to initiate the Windows Update Services process. Press Enter.

Run SFC (System File Checker) and CHKDSK (Check Disk)

You can also try this method:

1. Press the Windows Key plus X button and click on the Command Prompt option (Admin). In the cmd, key in the following then press Enter:
   sfc /scannow sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c: /offwindir=c:Windows
2. Wait for the process to finish completely then restart your PC after. Next, run CHKDSK to fix system errors. Let this process finish once again, then restart your computer to save the changes.

Summary: Fix corrupt windows update database

• Run the windows update troubleshooter.
• Open administrator command prompt.
• Reset Windows Update components.
• Delete the SoftwareDistribution folder.

Conclusion

And with that, hopefully, now you’ll be able to fix the Database Corruption Error successfully. It really isn’t as hard as most people tend to think. That being said, if you still have questions regarding this article, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments section.