Windows 11 Installation Stuck or Fails During Upgrade Process (How to Fix)

Upgrading to Windows 11 sometimes does not go as planned. Many users report the installation getting stuck at a certain percentage, freezing on a black screen, or failing and rolling back to Windows 10 without a clear error message. This issue usually happens due to driver conflicts, low disk space, corrupted system files, or background services blocking the upgrade.

Why Windows 11 Installation Gets Stuck or Fails

Before applying fixes, it helps to understand the most common causes:

• Incompatible or outdated drivers
• Insufficient free space on the system drive
• Third-party antivirus or security software
• Corrupted Windows system files
• External devices interfering with setup
• Background services blocking the upgrade process

Fix 1: Wait and Confirm the Upgrade Is Actually Stuck

Windows upgrades can appear frozen while performing background tasks.

What to do

• Wait at least 90 to 120 minutes
• Check if the hard disk LED is blinking
• Press Caps Lock to see if the keyboard responds

If there is no disk activity and no response for over two hours, proceed to the next fix.

Fix 2: Disconnect External Devices Before Upgrading

External hardware is a frequent reason for upgrade failures.

Steps

1. Shut down the PC completely
2. Disconnect all non-essential devices:
   • USB drives
   • External hard disks
   • Printers
   • Game controllers
3. Keep only the keyboard and mouse connected
4. Restart the Windows 11 upgrade

This prevents driver conflicts during setup.

Fix 3: Free Up Space on the System Drive

Windows 11 requires at least 25–30 GB of free space on the C: drive.

Steps

1. Open Settings → System → Storage
2. Turn on Storage Sense
3. Remove:
   • Temporary files
   • Windows Update cache
4. Empty the Recycle Bin
5. Restart the system

Low disk space often causes the upgrade to stall silently.

Fix 4: Disable Antivirus and Device Encryption Temporarily

Third-party security tools can block system file changes.

Do this temporarily

• Disable any third-party antivirus software
• Turn off BitLocker or device encryption
• Pause real-time protection

After Windows 11 installs successfully, you can enable everything again.

Fix 5: Repair Corrupted System Files

Corrupted Windows files frequently cause upgrade failures.

Steps

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Run:

sfc /scannow

3. After it completes, run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

4. Restart your PC

These commands repair system files required for a successful upgrade.

Fix 6: Perform a Clean Boot Before Running the Upgrade

Background services may interfere with Windows setup.

Steps

1. Press Win + R, type msconfig
2. Go to the Services tab
3. Check Hide all Microsoft services
4. Click Disable all
5. Restart the PC
6. Start the Windows 11 upgrade again

This ensures only essential services run during installation.

Fix 7: Upgrade Using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant

Windows Update sometimes fails silently.

Recommended approach

• Download the official Windows 11 Installation Assistant
• Right-click and choose Run as administrator
• Follow on-screen instructions

This method bypasses many Windows Update–related problems.

Fix 8: Update Storage and Chipset Drivers (Advanced)

Outdated drivers can prevent Windows 11 from completing setup.

Only if needed

• Update chipset drivers from your PC manufacturer
• Install the latest Intel RST or NVMe storage drivers
• Avoid third-party driver tools

Incorrect or missing storage drivers often cause installation freezes.

Fix 9: Check Windows Upgrade Logs for the Exact Failure Reason

If Windows 11 fails repeatedly, logs reveal the cause.

Log location

C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther

Important files:

• setupact.log
• setuperr.log

These logs usually show blocked drivers, services, or compatibility issues.

FAQs

Why is my Windows 11 installation stuck during the upgrade process?

Windows 11 installation can get stuck due to incompatible drivers, insufficient disk space, antivirus interference, corrupted system files, or background services blocking the upgrade.

How long should I wait if Windows 11 installation is stuck?

You should wait at least 90 to 120 minutes. If there is no disk activity or progress for over two hours, the installation is likely stuck and needs intervention.

Is it safe to restart my PC when Windows 11 installation is stuck?

Yes, it is generally safe to restart if the system shows no activity for a long time. Windows will usually roll back changes automatically without damaging your data.

Can low disk space cause Windows 11 installation to fail?

Yes, insufficient free space on the system drive is a common reason why Windows 11 installation gets stuck or fails during the upgrade process.

More Tech Fixes

1. 01How to Fix Windows 11 HYPERVISOR ERROR BSOD on Boot or Resume From Sleep→
2. 02Windows Upgrade Error 0x8007042B-0x2000D When Updating From 23H2 to 25H2 (How to Fix)→
3. 03How to Fix Windows 11 Version 25H2 Update Error 0x8007001F→
4. 04How to Enter Old PC Name in Windows Backup to Restore Files Successfully→
5. 05How to Fix “Install Driver to Show Hardware” Error During Windows 11 Installation→
6. 06How to Fix Windows 11 Update Error 0x800f0983 (KB5066835 Failed)→
7. 07Windows 11 Activation Internet Verification Error: How to Fix It→
8. 08Windows 11 Dump File Location and Analysis: How to Find and Fix Crash Errors→

Will my files be deleted if Windows 11 installation fails?

No, a failed Windows 11 upgrade does not delete personal files. Your system normally reverts back to Windows 10 with all data intact.