For an optimum and smooth user experience, Microsoft releases updates to their software versions frequently. Though these releases are supposed to be automatically downloaded and installed on your system, the process isn’t always as direct as one might expect. Many users experience different kinds of Windows Update errors with the basic know-how of fixing them. One such error is the Couldn’t install update date & time problem on Windows 11. Now, it’s important to know that incorrect date and time is not always the cause behind this error. Other reasons include misconfigured settings, wrong active hours, expired IIS or root certificates, third-party antivirus interference, and so on. So let’s take a look at how to resolve this error.
1. Ensure the Date & Time Is Correct.
Since the error states your system is encountering an issue with date & time, let’s first make sure they are correct. The time you set on your computer must sync with the Microsoft time server and your region. Here’s what you need to do:
2. Set Active Hours to Automatic.
The Active Hours feature lets you decide when your system should install the update so that the reboot doesn’t interfere with your work and force-closes all tasks midway. You can set the setting to automatic, which lets your computer calculate your daily activity to determine your work hours. We recommend you set the Active Hours option to automatic so that no application or service gets in the way of correct update installation. Here’s how to do it:
3. Pause Other Updates.
If several updates are running on your system, they might interfere with and hinder each other’s functionality. This mainly happens when installed applications automatically update themselves and prevent system updates from completing. Therefore, if other updates are running side-by-side, you must pause, cancel, or complete their installation before proceeding with the Windows update. Follow the steps below to do it:
4. Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus Program.
Some third-party antivirus programs are extremely overprotective and even prevent default processes like Windows Update from running on your system. Therefore, if you think the Couldn’t install update date & time problem on Windows 11 results from third-party antivirus program interference, temporarily disable it to see if that resolves the issue. Here’s how to do it: Afterward, try installing the updates and check if this method fixed your issue.
5. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
As the name suggests, Windows Update Troubleshooter scans your computer for any potential causes behind Windows Update errors. Then, it provides you with instructions to follow that will help you resolve the issue. Follow the steps below to run the specified troubleshooter: After the process is complete, try installing the updates again.
6. Install Update Via Microsoft Update Catalog.
An alternative method to install the troublesome Windows update is to do it manually through the Microsoft Update Catalog. It is a dedicated website for all Microsoft releases. Before proceeding, you need to note down the Knowledge Base reference for the update giving you an error. Afterward, follow the steps below:
7. Run DISM & SFC Scan.
Corrupted, damaged, or missing system files lead to all sorts of errors, including the Couldn’t install update date & time problem on Windows 11. This mostly gets resolved by running a DISM followed by an SFC scan on your computer. Follow the steps below to perform this method:
8. Clean Install Windows.
If the Couldn’t install update date & time problem on Windows 11 persists, the issue might be related to your system rather than the update. In this situation, the best option you have is to clean install Windows. This will declutter your system, discarding all kinds of errors from your computer. Since this method deletes everything from your PC, we advise you to create a backup of your important data beforehand. This ends our guide on how to fix Couldn’t install update date & time problem on Windows 11. We hope you’ve successfully eliminated the root cause and resolved the issue. For more questions, head over to the comment section. If this guide helped you, please share it. 😊
