Fixing We Could not Complete the Install Because an Update Service Was Shutting Down Error

One of the things that experts advise is that everyone should make sure their computers are always up to date; outdated computers and software cause issues and errors to arise. One thing Windows users need to do is to allow their computers to update automatically; this ensures that they always have the latest updates on their devices to avoid any issues. However, sometimes updates fail to load and users receive message boxes with error preventing the update from installing. One example is the "we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down" error.

In this article, we will get to understand what causes this error and what methods we can follow to fix it. 
 

What Causes the We Could not Complete the Install Because an Update Service Was Shutting Down Error?

We have worked on gathering information about the causes of the "we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down" error to be able to find out all of the possible causes for this error. Below, we have listed all of the reasons we have found:

• Time & Date: Your date and time need to be set correctly and need to be set on automatic. If they are set incorrectly, Windows will not have access to security patch releases, and this error will arise. 
• Program Records: If your programs have corrupt records, your system files will be corrupt too; this causes the Windows Update error to arise. 
• Viruses and/or Malware: Malware and viruses target your system files and leave them corrupt. This in turn will mess up and interrupt your Windows Update Service. 
• Other Reasons: Other reasons may include recently installed programs and apps that have issues from within and that might cause the update error to arise. 
   

How to Fix the Windows Update Error

Here, we have listed and explained all the methods you can use to fix the "we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down" error.
 

First method: Restart Windows Update Service

As we have mentioned before, something might have corrupted the system files and caused the Windows Update Service to stop working. The first thing you can do when you encounter this error is to restart the Windows Update Service.

Here is how you can do it:

1. Press the Windows key and the R key together to open the Run dialog.
2. Type services.msc in the box and click OK to continue.
3. You will then get the Services window > scroll down and find Windows Update Service. 
4. Right-click it > select Properties > change the Startup type to "Automatic," and change the Service status to Running.
5. Then click Apply and click OK to save the changes.
6. Reboot your computer and check whether the error that we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down is fixed or not.
    

Second method: Scan Your System for Missing or Corrupt System Files

Windows users have tools for this occasion; the System File Checker Tool (SFC) and the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). This is where users can perform a scan to look for missing or corrupt system files. This utility tool does not only scan and find missing or corrupt files; it also replaces them with the needed files. Here is how you can run this tool:

SFC

1. Go to Start > type Command Prompt or CMD.
2. Right-click > run as Administrator.
3. Type "sfc /scannow" (There has to be a space between “sfc” and “/scannow”).
4. The tool will start scanning your computer.
    

DISM

1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator > type in DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and press Enter.
2. Windows will start scanning.
3. After it finishes scanning, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth.
4. All problems found during the scan will be fixed. 

After running the scan, you can check if the error code has been resolved; this is how you can do that:

• Go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update.
• Update your Windows operating system. If error code 0x800704c7 persists, you will need to move to the next method below.
   

Third method: Scan your device for malware and viruses

It is possible that there is a virus or malware on your device that keeps your update stuck and causes the "we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down" error. You can download Malwarebytes for free to scan your device for any malware.

Once Malwarebytes is downloaded and installed on your device, go to the main dashboard and click on "Scan." If any malware is found, you need to quarantine it and restart your PC. Having done so, you can try to update again and check if the error is gone. 

If Malwarebytes finds no malware or the error doesn't go away, you can move to the next step.
 

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Fourth method: Uninstall third-party antivirus software

Sometimes, your antivirus software may block and prevent the Windows Update from installing. If this is the case, you will need to uninstall the antivirus software and reinstall it later (if you still want it).

This is how you can uninstall your third-party antivirus software:

1. Press the Windows Key and type in and click on "Control Panel."
2. Under Programs, choose Uninstall a Program.
3. In the pop-up window, select the antivirus software that you have and right-click it.
4. Choose Uninstall and your third-party antivirus software will be removed.
5. Reboot your computer and run the Windows Update to check whether or not the "we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down" error is fixed.

If you find that the error is gone, you can reinstall your third-party antivirus to keep your computer safe.
 

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Fifth method: Download the most recent Servicing Stack Update

You can try downloading the most recent Servicing Stack Update to fix the "we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down" error. Before downloading the Servicing Stack Update, you need to check which Windows version you have; this is how you can do that:

1. Press the Windows Key and the I key together to open Settings.
2. Then choose System and scroll down to "About" on the left panel.
3. On the right panel, under Device Specifications > choose System Type to find what Windows version you are using.
    

After this, follow these steps to download the Servicing Stack Update:

1. Click here to download the latest servicing stack update (KB4456655) that matches your version of Windows from the Microsoft Update catalog.
2. Install it on your computer.
3. Reboot your computer and check whether or not the "we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down" error is fixed.

Sixth method: Fix Corrupted Windows Update Database

Resetting Windows Update Components will fix those corrupted Components and will help fix the "we could not complete the install because an update service was shutting down" error. To reset Windows Update Components, follow these steps:

1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator
      - Press Windows Key.
      - Type "cmd," right-click the Command Prompt tile, and then click Run as administrator
    

2. Stop BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer and Windows Update Services. To do this, type the following commands:
         - Net stop wuauserv
         - Net stop cryptSvc 
         - Net stop bits
         - Net stop msiserver
    

3. Rename SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folder.; type the following commands:

   1. Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

   2. Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
       

4. Restart BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer and Windows Update Services; type the following commands:

   1. Net start wuauserv

   2. Net start cryptSvc

   3. Net start bits

   4. Net start msiserver

   5. Reboot your computer and try to install Windows Update and the error should be gone by now.