If your Windows PC is stuck on the screen that says “Updates are underway. Please keep your computer on.”, you’re not alone.
This issue is very common, especially during large Windows 11 feature updates. While Windows warns you not to shut down your PC, if the screen hasn’t changed for more than 2 hours, the update process is likely frozen and needs intervention.
Here’s exactly what to do.
How Long Should “Updates Are Underway” Take?
Normally:
- Small updates take 5–30 minutes.
- Major feature updates can take 30–90 minutes.
If:
- The percentage hasn’t moved for 2+ hours.
- The loading circle stops spinning.
- The screen looks frozen.
Then the system is likely stuck.
Immediate Fix: Forced Restart (Safe When Frozen)
If nothing has changed for hours, you need to perform a hard reboot.
Step 1: Disconnect External Devices
Remove:
- USB drives
- External hard drives
- Printers
- Docking stations
- SD cards
External hardware can interfere with update completion.
Step 2: Force Shutdown
- Press and hold the Power button for 10–15 seconds.
- Wait until the PC fully powers off.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Turn the computer back on.
What Happens Next?
There are two possible scenarios.
Scenario A: Windows Recovers Automatically
You may see:
- “Undoing changes”
- “Working on updates”
- Desktop loads normally
This means Windows detected the failure and repaired itself.
Scenario B: It Gets Stuck Again
If it returns to the same “Updates are underway” screen, you need Advanced Recovery.
Advanced Fix: Enter Windows Recovery Mode (WinRE)
If a normal restart does not fix it, you must enter the Windows Recovery Environment.
Step 1: Trigger WinRE
- Turn on the PC.
- When you see the manufacturer logo (HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc.), hold the Power button to force shutdown.
- Repeat this process 3 times.
- On the 4th startup, Windows will show Automatic Repair.
Step 2: Uninstall the Problem Update
- Select Troubleshoot
- Click Advanced Options
- Choose Uninstall Updates
First try:
- Uninstall latest quality update
If that doesn’t work:
- Uninstall latest feature update
This removes the broken update without deleting personal files.
Step 3: Use System Restore (If Needed)
If uninstalling updates fails:
- Go to Advanced Options
- Select System Restore
- Choose a restore point before the update started
This rolls your system back to a working state.
Live Example Scenario
Let’s say your Windows 11 laptop started a major update overnight.
In the morning:
- The screen still says “Updates are underway”
- It has been stuck at 35 percent for 3 hours
You disconnect your USB flash drive, force restart, and Windows shows “Undoing changes.”
After 10 minutes, you’re back on your desktop.
That means the update file was corrupted and Windows repaired itself.
After You Fix It: Prevent It from Happening Again
Once you regain access to your desktop, do these steps immediately.
1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Go to:
Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
Run the Windows Update tool.
This detects broken update components.
2. Repair System Files
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Wait for it to finish.
Then run:
sfc /scannow
These commands repair corrupted Windows system files.
3. Clear Windows Update Cache (If Updates Keep Failing)
If updates continue to freeze, you may need to clear the SoftwareDistribution folder.
This removes buggy update files and forces Windows to download fresh ones.
Why This Happens
Windows can freeze during updates because of:
- Corrupted update files
- Interrupted power supply
- External USB devices
- Driver conflicts
- Low disk space
- System file corruption
Large feature updates are more likely to trigger the issue.
Quick Answer Summary
If Windows is stuck on “Updates are underway” for more than 2 hours, perform a forced restart. If the issue continues, enter Recovery Mode, uninstall the latest update, or use System Restore. After recovery, run DISM and SFC to repair system files and prevent recurrence.
When NOT to Force Restart
Do not interrupt the update if:
- The percentage is still increasing.
- The spinning circle is active.
- It has been less than 90 minutes.
Only intervene when progress has completely stopped for hours.
Final Thoughts
Getting stuck on “Updates are underway” looks serious, but in most cases, it’s fixable within minutes.
Start with a forced restart.
Move to Recovery Mode if needed.
Repair system files afterward to prevent repeat failures.
Your computer is usually stuck because the Windows update process has frozen due to corrupted update files, driver conflicts, low disk space, or external device interference. If the screen has not changed for more than 2 hours, the update is likely hung.
Most Windows updates take between 10 and 90 minutes depending on the size of the update and your system speed. If the progress percentage has not changed for over 2 hours, the system may be stuck.
If there has been no progress for several hours, it is generally safe to perform a forced restart. Hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds to shut down the device. Windows usually repairs itself during the next startup.
After restarting, Windows may:
Resume and complete the update
Automatically undo changes
Enter Automatic Repair mode
In most cases, your personal files remain safe.
No. In most situations, Windows will automatically revert changes without deleting personal files. However, using System Restore or uninstalling updates does not remove your documents or apps.
Turn your PC on and force shut it down when the manufacturer logo appears. Repeat this process three times. On the fourth boot, Windows will enter Automatic Repair mode.
Reinstalling Windows should be the last option. Most update issues can be fixed by uninstalling recent updates, clearing the update cache, or repairing system files.
