Windows Update service missing: how to restore it in Windows 11 and 10

Applies to: Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Check that the service is really missing

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc and press Enter. Sort by name and look for Windows Update.
2. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sc query wuauserv.
3. If the service exists you’ll see its state (RUNNING or STOPPED). If it’s gone, you get FAILED 1060: The specified service does not exist as an installed service.

While you’re there, check the services Windows Update depends on: sc query bits (Background Intelligent Transfer Service), sc query cryptsvc (Cryptographic Services) and sc query WaaSMedicSvc (Windows Update Medic Service). If several are missing, the cause is almost certainly a tool or malware that removed them.

If it’s there but disabled

A disabled service isn’t missing. Double-click Windows Update in Services, set Startup type to Manual, select Start, then try Settings > Windows Update again. If the box is greyed out or switches back to Disabled, a policy or blocker tool is controlling it; see error 0x80070426, which covers a stopped or disabled update service.

Tools that “permanently” stop updates often have an undo option. If you used one, run it again and choose to re-enable updates before trying anything else.

Fix 1: Scan for malware

Some malware deletes the Windows Update, BITS and Defender services so it can’t be patched or removed. Before repairing Windows, make sure nothing will just delete them again:

1. Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.
2. Choose Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and select Scan now. The PC restarts and scans before Windows loads.
3. If Windows Security itself won’t open, see Windows Security not opening, or run a second-opinion scanner from a trusted vendor.

Fix 2: Run SFC and DISM

In an administrator Command Prompt, run:

sfc /scannow

Then repair the component store. DISM normally downloads clean files from Windows Update, which won’t work right now, so point it at a Windows ISO instead. Download the ISO for your version from Microsoft, right-click it and select Mount (say it appears as drive D:), then run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:WIM:D:\sources\install.wim:1 /LimitAccess

If the ISO has install.esd instead of install.wim, use ESD:D:\sources\install.esd:1. The :1 is the edition index; run DISM /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:D:\sources\install.wim to find the one that matches your edition (Home, Pro). Restart and check sc query wuauserv again. More on DISM sources is in our 0x800f081f guide.

SFC and DISM repair files, not deleted service registrations, so on their own they often don’t bring the service back. They’re still worth running before Fix 4 and Fix 5.

Fix 3: System Restore

If you have a restore point from before the problem, it restores the registry, including the service entries. Press Windows + R, run rstrui, choose a restore point dated before Windows Update disappeared, and follow the prompts. Apps installed after that date will need reinstalling; your personal files aren’t affected.

Fix 4: Restore the service registry key

Advanced users can copy the service definition from a healthy PC. It must be the same Windows version (for example Windows 11 24H2 on both), because the settings differ between versions. Create a restore point first.

1. On the working PC, open regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv.
2. Right-click wuauserv > Export and save it as wuauserv.reg.
3. Copy the file to the broken PC, double-click it, and confirm the merge.
4. Restart, then run sc query wuauserv. Repeat for BITS or CryptSvc if those were missing too.

Don’t download .reg files from random websites; a tampered file can do real damage. If you don’t have a second PC on the same version, skip to Fix 5.

Fix 5: Repair install of Windows

A repair install (in-place upgrade) reinstalls Windows over itself and rebuilds every built-in service, while keeping your files, apps and most settings. It’s the most dependable fix.

1. Download the Windows 11 or Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft’s download page (the same edition and language you have).
2. Right-click the ISO > Mount, then run setup.exe from the new drive.
3. When asked, choose Keep personal files and apps. If that option is greyed out, the ISO doesn’t match your edition, language or version.
4. Let setup finish. It takes 30 to 90 minutes and restarts several times.

Afterwards, run Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. If updates still fail with a code, our Windows Update command line guide shows how to reset the update components.

Related guides

• Error 0x80070426: Windows Update service not started
• We couldn’t connect to the update service
• Windows Update from the command line
• Error 0x800f081f: source files could not be found
• How to run SFC offline from recovery

Official sources: for more detail, see these pages:

• Microsoft Support: Use the System File Checker tool
• Microsoft Learn: Repair a Windows image with DISM

Frequently asked questions

Can I recreate the service with sc create?

Technically yes, but the real service has many settings (dependencies, permissions, failure actions, its DLL path) that a hand-typed command won’t match. Exporting the key from a matching PC or a repair install is safer.

Will a repair install delete my files?

No, not when you choose Keep personal files and apps. Back up important files anyway, as with any big change.

Why did the service disappear?

Usually an update-blocking tool, an aggressive “debloat” script or malware. Windows doesn’t remove it on its own.

Can I update Windows without the service?

Not through Settings. You can install a downloaded update package from the Microsoft Update Catalog, but that also relies on Windows Update components, so restoring the service is the real fix.