Top 7 Ways to Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected

Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected

Windows Update is an important part of the Windows operating system that helps keep your computer safe and up-to-date with the latest features and fixes. However, it is possible to get some problem when trying to update Windows 10/11. And when repairing Windows update, you might get the error message Potential Windows Update database error detected.

This error can prevent you from installing important updates, leaving your system vulnerable to security threats and preventing you from enjoying the latest features and improvements. Here are the possible causes of the windows update database error: the malfunctioning Update services, corrupted Windows Update files or database, third-party software conflicts.

Recommendation – Back up Important Files to Prevent Potential Risk

Before trying any of the solutions below, make sure to back up your personal files since many issues would occur when running Windows Update. To backup files, you can take advantage of a piece of third-party software. Here, the free Windows backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker is recommended.

MiniTool ShadowMaker is a user-friendly program. It enables you to backup system, files, folders, disks, and partitions with its various powerful features. It also supports syncing files to two or more locations so as to keep data safe.

Thus, you can download MiniTool ShadowMaker from the following button and install it on the computer to protect your data and PC.

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Now, we will show you how to back up your important files with MiniTool ShadowMaker. As a matter of fact, its instructions are pretty easy.

Step 1: Install MiniTool ShadowMaker, launch it and click Keep Trial to continue.

Step 2: After entering to its main interface, go to Backup tab and click on SOURCE > Folders and Files to select what you want to back up, and then click OK.

Step 3: Click on DESTINATION, choose a destination path to save the image file, and click OK.

Step 4: Go back to the Backup tab, select Back Up Now or Back Up Later.

How to Fix the Windows Update Error?

In this part, we will present seven fixes to repair Windows Update Database corruption. You can try them one by one.

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows 10/11 has an in-built troubleshooter to fix any issue related to Windows Update. If you have no idea what causing the problem, it’s a good way to find out the cause. Simply run this Windows Update troubleshooter and fix the Windows update error.

Step 1: Go to Control Panel > search Troubleshooting > System and Security > Fix problems with Windows Update.

Step 2: Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.

Step 3: Reboot the Windows 10 device after the troubleshooting process finishes.

Clear Windows Update Cache

If you have trouble running Windows Update, it is likely that there is a problem with the update file, or the file is not completely cleared for download or is damaged. Clearing the Windows 10 update cache manually might fix the Windows update error.

Step 1: Press Win + E to open File Explorer.

Step 2: Find and right-click Local Disk (C:) to choose Properties.

Step 3: Next, click Disk Cleanup. After that, click the Clean up system files option.

Step 4: Then, check the Windows upgrade log files and Temporary Windows Installation files boxes and click OK.

Step 5: Hit Win + R to open Run box.

Step 6: Type services.msc and click on OK to open Services.

Step 7: Scroll down to locate Windows Update, right-click on it and select Stop.

Step 8: Next, open File Explorer to go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete everything inside this folder.

After this, the update should start right away without the Windows Update database errors.

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Run System File Checker

The potential Windows Update Database error detected issue may occur when there is a corruption in system files. In order to repair Windows update, you can run System File Checker to check the status of system files and repair the corrupted ones.

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box to locate Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2: Input sfc /scannow and hit Enter to go on.

Step 3: After you see the message Verification 100% complete, close the command window and reboot your computer.

Run DISM

If the issue still persists, you might need to try using the DISM scan to check the system health and to try repairing the corrupted Windows update files instead. To do that, follow these steps:

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box to locate Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type the commands below and hit Enter to continue after each command.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /scanhealth

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

This process will take a long time, please wait patiently. When it is done, restart your computer to check if the Windows update problem disappears.

Reset Windows Update Components Manually

If the SFC scan and DISM scan is not working, you can manually reset the Windows Update components and run the Windows Update process again. Follow the instructions below very carefully.

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box to locate Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type the following commands one-by-one to stop the services related to Windows Update and hit Enter.

Net stop wuauserv

Net stop cryptSvc

Net stop bits

Net stop msiserver

Step 3: Rename SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folder by typing the commands one-by-one: 

Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

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

Step 4: Restart these services. To do this, type the following commands.

Net start wuauserv

Net start cryptSvc

Net start bits

Net start msiserver

Step 5: After the process is finished, exit the command window and try to reboot your computer to check whether the Windows update problem is gone.

Perform A Clean Boot

As mentioned earlier, this problem can appear due to third-party applications. For example, applications can interfere with Windows and cause this error message to be displayed. To find the conflicted applications, you need to perform a clean boot by doing the following instructions:

Step 1: Hit Win + R to open Run box.

Step 2: Input msconfig and click on OK to open System Configuration.

Step 3: Go to the General tab, choose Selective startup and uncheck Load startup items.

Step 4: Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services and click Disable all to continue.

Step 5: Navigate to the Startup tab, click on Open Task Manager.

Step 6: Then select any startup app you might think will interfere with your activity, and choose Disable.

Step 7: Close Task Manger and click Apply > OK, and then reboot your computer.

Reset the Computer

Here comes to the last solution to repair Windows Update Database corruption, you can try to reset your computer. To do this, follow the details.

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Step 1: Press Win + I together to open Settings.

Step 2: Click on Update & Security > Recovery > Get started under Reset this PC.

Step 3: There are two options including Keep my files and Remove everything in the popup window. The former is recommended since it can keep your personal files.

Step 4: Then you will see a list telling you which programs will be removed and you can reinstall them when the resetting process is finished. Then click Next to continue.

Step 5: In the next popup window, click Next to continue.

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Bottom Line

To be concluded, this post has introduced 7 methods to the potential Windows Update Database error detected issue. Since updating the operating system always leads to some problems, it is advised to back up the important files before solving the problem.

If you have any problem using MiniTool ShadowMaker, please feel free to contact us via [email protected].

Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected FAQ