Antivirus Is Blocking Windows Updates
General by admin

If you’ve been dealing with failed or delayed Windows updates, you might be asking yourself, “Is my antivirus causing this?” You’re not alone. A growing number of users are experiencing issues with “antivirus is blocking Windows updates”, and it’s often one of the last things people think to check.

In this article, we’ll walk through how antivirus software can interfere with the Windows update process, what signs to look for, and how to solve the problem without putting your system at risk.

Can Antivirus Software Really Block Windows Updates?

Yes, it can. While antivirus programs are designed to protect your system from harmful files, they can sometimes be a little too aggressive. In an attempt to secure your computer, your antivirus might misinterpret update files as threats or interfere with essential update processes.

This is especially true with third-party antivirus software that includes firewall tools, behavior blockers, or real-time protection modules that actively monitor system activity. These features may flag normal update behavior—like registry edits or driver installations—as suspicious, preventing the update from completing.

1. Updates Consistently Fail or Freeze

One of the first signs your antivirus might be the issue is when updates always get stuck at the same percentage or fail to complete. If Windows gets through the download but freezes during installation, it’s time to suspect interference.

2. You Receive Frequent Error Codes

Error codes like 0x80070020 or 0x800705b4 are common when background software is interfering with the update process. These codes often point to access being blocked, especially when an update tries to install system-level files.

3. Windows Update Only Works With Antivirus Turned Off

If you’ve disabled your antivirus temporarily and Windows updates suddenly work, that’s a major red flag. It clearly shows your antivirus is blocking Windows updates, even if the software doesn’t explicitly tell you so.

4. Antivirus Quarantines or Flags Update Files

Some antivirus programs will block parts of Windows Update without alerting you. You might see system files or services related to updates in your antivirus quarantine or log history.

5. Behavior Shields or Firewalls Are Enabled

If your antivirus includes features like behavior monitoring, intrusion prevention, or a firewall, these can stop update processes from writing to system folders or contacting Microsoft’s update servers.

6. Antivirus Logs Show Interference with System Processes

Many security suites let you view logs of blocked processes or activities. If you notice entries related to wuauclt.exe, wuauserv, or Windows Update, you’ve found your culprit.

7. You Recently Installed or Switched Antivirus Software

Installing a new antivirus program before Windows updates started failing could mean the software is misconfigured or incompatible. It’s common for new installations to apply default strict rules that block update-related activity.

8. Your Computer Shows Signs of Conflict After Each Update Attempt

Does your system freeze, restart unexpectedly, or behave strangely after an update fails? This could be a deeper sign of a security conflict. You may also want to check out our complete guide on why Windows updates take so long to rule out additional causes.

How to Confirm Your Antivirus Is the Problem

To verify if your antivirus is blocking Windows updates, try the following steps:

  • Temporarily disable antivirus and rerun the update

  • Check for quarantined update files in your antivirus logs

  • Use Windows Update Troubleshooter and review reports

  • Attempt to install updates in Safe Mode with Networking

If the update works when antivirus is off, you’ve found your issue.

Fixing Antivirus Interference Without Compromising Security

You don’t have to remove your antivirus entirely. Instead, you can:

  • Add exceptions for wuauclt.exe, wuauserv, and Windows update folders

  • Use “silent mode” or “game mode” during update installation

  • Disable only behavior shields or firewalls temporarily

  • Keep your antivirus updated to the latest version

  • Switch to Microsoft Defender temporarily for major updates

Is It Safe to Disable Antivirus During Updates?

Briefly disabling your antivirus is usually safe if you’re disconnected from the internet or only connected to trusted sources. However, you should re-enable protection immediately after updates finish. Some antivirus programs allow you to pause real-time protection safely without turning off the entire system.

When to Seek Help

If updates still fail, you may need a deeper repair. Use the built-in tools like:

  • Windows Update Troubleshooter

  • SFC Scan: sfc /scannow

  • DISM Repair: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

If you’re not comfortable doing this or nothing seems to work, we’re here to help.

Need Professional Help?

If your antivirus is blocking Windows updates and you can’t figure out what’s going on, it’s time to get professional help. Don’t waste hours guessing what went wrong. Let the experts at Computer Emergency Room handle it for you. Whether it’s an antivirus conflict, a stuck update, or a full system crash, we offer fast, reliable solutions to get your computer back to peak performance.

Call us today or stop by—we’re here to help.