How to Fix “We Couldn’t Complete The Updates Undoing Changes”

Windows has a safety protocol to undo changes on your system when Windows updates go wrong or it’s unable to install the updates properly. Sometimes windows safety protocol cannot undo these changes correctly, and the system ends up going in a loop trying to undo the updates.

This could be a problem because you won’t be able to log in to your computer, and you cannot access critical files.

Most of the time, the fix here is to reinstall Windows, which will be a problem because you won’t be able to back up your files.

This guide will show you how to fix this problem without reinstalling Windows.

We Couldn’t Complete The Updates Undoing Changes Error Message Explanation

We couldn’t undo the updates undoing changes error indicates that a Windows user has attempted to make changes to their Windows operating system using an update or other software installation. Still, another update or install process has inadvertently undone these changes. This error can occur due to various factors, including system conflicts, system file corruption, or software incompatibility.

To fix this issue, users will need to troubleshoot the problem and identify the root cause to resolve it. This may involve uninstalling conflicting software programs, repairing damaged system files, or updating outdated drivers. Additionally, some users may need to take more drastic measures, such as performing a clean reinstall of their operating system to restore it to full functionality.

Common Reasons for “We Couldn’t Complete The Updates Undoing Changes” Error Message

There are several common reasons for encountering the “We couldn’t complete the updates undoing changes” error message. Understanding these reasons can help you identify the root cause of the issue and implement the appropriate solution. Here are some of the most common reasons for this error:

1. Corrupted or Missing System Files: Damaged or missing system files can prevent Windows Updates from being installed properly, leading to this error message. Running an SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scan can help identify and fix corrupted or missing system files.
2. Software Incompatibility: Sometimes, third-party applications or drivers may conflict with the Windows Update process, causing the error. Uninstalling or updating the conflicting software may resolve the issue.
3. Insufficient Disk Space: Windows Updates require adequate disk space to download and install the necessary files. If your system partition is running low on space, the update may fail, resulting in the error message. Ensuring there is enough free space on your system partition can help prevent this issue.
4. Faulty Windows Update: Occasionally, a downloaded update itself may be flawed or corrupted, causing the installation to fail and the error message to appear. In these cases, deleting the problematic update from the Software Distribution folder and re-downloading it can help resolve the issue.
5. Interrupted Update Process: If the update process is interrupted, such as due to a power outage or forced system restart, the necessary changes may not be completed, leading to the error message. Ensuring your computer remains powered on and connected to the internet during the entire update process can help prevent this issue.
6. Disabled or Misconfigured Update Services: Windows Update relies on several background services to function properly. If any of these services are disabled or misconfigured, the update process may fail, resulting in an error message. Checking and adjusting the settings for services such as the Windows Update Service and the App Readiness Service can help resolve this issue.

By identifying the root cause of the “We couldn’t complete the updates undoing changes” error message, you can take the appropriate steps to troubleshoot and fix the issue, ensuring your Windows system remains up-to-date and secure.

How to Fix We Couldn’t Complete The Updates Undoing Changes

Run an SFC and DISM Scan for Windows Update Troubleshooter

Hit that update icon on your device, and you may confront an error, i.e., ‘we couldn’t complete the update; undoing changes’ (this can also happen after a successful installation process with a recently downloaded Windows update). This may occur due to any corrupt and missing files or partitions. Hence, running an SFC (system file checker) and DISM scan can reveal the reason and help to find a proper fix to resolve the error. Here are the easy steps to initiate SFC and DISM scans on your device.

Step 1: Start by launching the settings window from the start menu and selecting the ‘update and security‘ option.

Step 2: In the update and security window, select ‘advanced options‘ followed by the ‘command prompt.’

Step 3: Type ‘sfc /scannow‘ in the command prompt and click enter to continue. Once the scan completes, it will help to check all protected system files and replace the corrupted one with its cached copy.

In the case of running a DISM scan, i.e., the utility used for repairing Windows images, e.g., windows setup, windows PE, and Windows WinRE. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Launch the command prompt by following the abovementioned steps, and in the command prompt window, type ‘DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.’ Click enter to proceed.

Step 2: Restart your device to check if the error is resolved as soon as the scan completes. 

Restore Your System to an Earlier Date With System Restore Window

If any Windows update services are stuck due to faulty folders, you can restore your device to the last working condition via Windows system restore. It is an in-build utility that makes a copy of your working point without affecting the files and data available on the device. Hence, restoring to the earlier date may resolve the error through a system restore point. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Strat by booting your device via Windows installation media and launch WinRE mode to run troubleshooting.

Step 2: In troubleshooting, select ‘advanced options‘ and select ‘system restore‘ from the list.

Step 3: Skip the command of ‘enter recovery key’ and select the option of ‘skip the drive.’ You can follow the procedure by entering your account credentials.

 Step 4: Follow the wizard windows and click next to continue.

Step 5: From the list of available restore points, click on the latest one you want to pursue. After selecting a particular restore point, click enter to continue.

Step 6: Click Finish to complete the wizard. Your device is set to an earlier restore point as the process ends.

Delete the Software Distribution Folder for Storage Space and System Restore

All updates and linked data are stored in the software distribution folder. If your update is stuck and not completing an action, then deleting the relevant update folder can fix the error. Here are the steps to reach the software distribution folder and delete it to fix the error.

Step 1: Start by booting your device into safe mode, and select the troubleshooting option.

Step 2: Select ‘advanced options‘ and ‘startup settings‘ in the troubleshooting window.

Step 3: In the startup settings window, select ‘restart‘ and press the F4 key on the keyboard to launch safe mode.

Step 4: Launch the Run utility by simultaneously clicking the ‘Windows key + R‘ and typing ‘CMD’ in the command box. Launch the elevated command prompt by clicking ‘Ctrl + Shift + Enter.’

Step 5: Type the following commands in the prompt and click enter to continue.

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

net stop cryptSvc

net stop msiserver

Step 6: Launch windows explorer from the main menu and open C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. Select the Folder for the update, select all content, right-click, and select ‘delete‘ from the drop-down list.

Run a Startup Repair

As a Windows diagnostic tool, startup repair can fix the errors linked to the operating system. Errors related to stuck updates and the inability to continue can also be corrected with startup repair. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Boot the device in safe mode and select ‘troubleshooting,’ followed by selecting the ‘advanced options‘ option from the list.

Step 2: In advanced options, click on ‘startup repair.’ The utility will check and fix the errors automatically.

Extend Your Windows System Partition Size

Error, i.e., we couldn’t complete the update undoing changes, is sometimes linked to space issues. Insufficient disk space won’t let the system files of a particular update download on your device, which may result in an error.

One can resolve the error by increasing the partition size, and using a disk management utility to resize partitions is the easiest way. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: From the main menu, select the option of ‘This PC‘ and select ‘manage‘ from the header menu in the window.

Step 2: In the next window, select the option of ‘disk management‘ in Storage from the Computer Management window.

Step 3: Select the partition you want to resize (increase) and click on ‘Extend Partition.’

Step 4: Check for space in the same partition and the form of an NTFS or RAW folder.

Step 5: Click ‘Yes‘ to complete the action.

Disable Automatic Windows Updates

Sometimes, automatic Window updates can also cause errors, i.e., ‘we couldn’t complete the updates undoing changes. Disabling the automatic update option can resolve the error, which doesn’t necessarily mean that. Here are the steps on how to disable the automated service.

Step 1: Launch the settings window from the main menu and select the option of ‘Update and Security.’ Launch the ‘Windows Update service‘ in windows update via the properties option.

Step 2: In the general settings, click on ‘startup type,’ set it to ‘disabled,’ and click ‘stop‘ to continue.

Step 3: Click ok or apply to complete the action. Restart your device to check if the error is resolved.

Turn on the App Readiness Service

For running a smooth Windows update action, your device needs an app readiness service. Turning on the service can help in updating actions without errors. Here are the steps to follow to activate the service.

Step 1: Launch the Run utility by simultaneously clicking the ‘Windows key + R‘ and typing ‘services.msc‘ in the command box. Click enter to continue.

Step 2: In the next window, click on properties and select the ‘app readiness service option.’ Select the ‘startup type‘ option and set it to ‘automatic.’ Click Start to activate the service.

Step 3: Restart your device and check if the error is resolved.

Recommended: Fortect System Repair Tool – Fix Errors & Speed Up Windows Automatically

Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

To fix the update not complete and undoing changes error, one can run Windows in-build troubleshooter to resolve the issue. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch settings from the main menu and select the ‘Update and Security‘ option from the settings window.

Step 2: In the update and security window, select the ‘troubleshooting‘ option followed by ‘additional troubleshooters.’

Step 3: In the troubleshooter window, click on the ‘Windows update‘ option and ‘Run the troubleshooter.’

As the process completes, your device will detect the root cause of the error. Fix the error accordingly.

Reinstall Drivers with Device Manager

Hardware devices attached to your device can also run into errors, making it impossible for recent updates to install successfully. Reinstallation of drivers from the device manager can fix the issue. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Launch the ‘device manager‘ from the start menu.

Step 2: In the device manager window, all the hardware devices will appear along with the ones causing issues (with an exclamation mark). Click the faulty device and select the option of ‘uninstall device‘ from the drop-down list. (you can also apply this in the operating system selection screen to run the Windows update troubleshooter)

Step 3: A new pop-up window will appear. In the window, click ‘Delete the driver software for this device‘ and click ‘Uninstall‘ to continue.

Step 4: Restart your device. Once it restarts, it will automatically install new/correct drivers for the attached hardware device.

Frequently Asked Questions