Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected: Get Some Comprehensive Guidance

Windows Update is a complimentary service offered by Microsoft. It helps the Windows users to avail the bug fixes, feature enhancements, drivers, newest security updates as well as another update. This service also holds Microsoft Windows OS as well as some other products of Microsoft. All Windows OS can utilize the Windows Update. The only necessary things are an internet connection and a running Operating System.

To keep your Operating System up-to-date is essential, especially when you wish to stay secured with the newest security enhancements. Despite this, sometimes the update procedure becomes problematic with several errors attacking in there. These errors prevent the update procedure. ‘Potential Windows update database error detected’ is one of those common errors faced by several users while running the Update procedure. This error normally happens when the user is tried to run the Windows Update troubleshooter with damaged system files.

If you are in the same condition, then nothing to be getting worried about this. There are various ways to fix this issue. Here in this article, we are going to present some of the easiest solutions to fix this annoying issue. Hence, you are advised to have a look at the article given below. So, let’s start.

Amazing Tips and Tricks to Fix the Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected

There are several causes behind this issue. The corrupted registry files can cause the ‘potential Windows update database error detected.’ When you are trying to update your computer manually, then you can also face the same issue. However the reason behind the error, you need to fix the error to up-to-date the Operating System. Hence you need to have a glance at the troubleshooting methods given below. Before going to perform the troubleshooting steps you need to create a backup of the essential files of your computer. So learn to do it via the simple steps mentioned:

Solution 1: Run the SFC or System File Checker

The first method you should try to fix this issue is to run the System File Checker. You need to try this process before going to perform other methods. SFC checks the computer for corrupt or faulty system files as well as it repairs them automatically. To run this, you need to follow the steps given below:

1. At first, open the Start menu.
2. Then, type ‘cmd’ in the search field. Right click on the search result and choose the ‘Run as administrator’ option from the list. It will launch the ‘Command Prompt’ with the administrator privilege.  
3. Now, you have to type ‘sfc/scannow’ in the Command Prompt window.
4. Hit the Enter to execute the command.
5. Next, you have to wait until the process completed.
6. After that, restart the system to save the changes.

Now, try to run the Windows Update to check whether the windows update database error still occurs or not. If you see that the error is not gone, then go to the next method.

Solution 2: Using DISM Tool

DISM or Deployment Image Servicing and Management is a tool that can help the user to repair as well as service the Windows images. To use the DISM tool you need to perform the steps as follows:

1. At first, you have to open the Command Prompt with administrator privilege by going to the Start menu as we mentioned earlier.
2. There are two different commands that you have to use to complete the procedure:

1st: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /scan health

2nd: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

1. After that, you need to wait for a few seconds until the procedure is finished.  

Now, check that the error continues or not. It the issue still occurs then go to the next method.

Solution 3: Reset the Components of the Windows Update

This method is somewhat more reliable as well as it indicates that you will reset the whole update utility manually as well as initiate the updating process. To perform this, you need to execute the steps given below:  

1. At first, you have to go to the Start menu.
2. Then, launch the Command Prompt with the Administrator privilege.  
3. Now, you have to use the commands that are given below to prevent the processes of Cryptographic, BITS, MSI Installer as well as Windows Update Services:

1st: net stop wuauserv

2nd: net stop cryptSvc

3rd: net stop bits

4th: net stop msiserver

1. Now, you need to rename two folders, they are Catroot2 and Software Distribution. To rename those file manually, you need to go to the location given below:  

1st: ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

2nd: ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

1. Next, start the methods we stopped in the 2nd step by executing the commands given below:

1st: net start wuauserv

2nd: net start cryptSvc

3rd: net start bits

4th: net start msiserver

1. After that, you have to restart the system to save the changes.

Now, run the Windows Update to check that the windows update database corruption is gone or not. If you still face the same issue, then you should try the next method.

Solution 4: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows comes included with an in-built troubleshooter specially designed to fix similar problems as well as it can help you to get rid of another problem. To run this, you should perform the steps as follows:

1. First, go to the Start menu.
2. Look at the left pane of the Start menu.
3. Click on the Control Panel.
4. Then, go to the option ‘Troubleshooting.’
5. Select the ‘System and Security’ option from the Troubleshooting window.
6. Now, tap on the ‘Fix problems with Windows Update’ option.
7. After that, you have to follow the on-screen guidance.

After performing the above steps, if you still face any trouble, then go to further solution.

Solution 5: Delete Some Folders

Now, you need to try to delete some folders from your computer to check if it can fix your issue. To delete some folders, you need to have a look at the steps given below:

1. At first, go to the ‘C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download’ location.
2. Then, you have to remove the files inside it.
3. Open the ‘C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution’ file.
4. After that, you have to remove the ‘Download.old’ file that you see in the C drive.

Now, you need to try to initiate the window update. If you face the same error, then go to the next step.  

Solution 6: Reset the Windows

When other solutions become fail, then the last bet is to reinstall the windows without utilizing any files. Because you do that with the Windows 10 Operating System. First, you need a DVD or a USB to install the latest version Windows 10. To perform this, you need to follow the steps given below:

1. At first, you have to insert the USB or DVD into the CD drive of your computer. Then, you have to turn the computer on.
2. Tap on the option ‘Troubleshoot’ by going to the Choose an option screen.
3. Then, click on the Advanced Options.
4. Next, you have to choose the ‘Reset this PC’ option.
5. After that, tap on the ‘Keep My Files’ option.

Now, you have to check that the potential Windows update database error detected 2018 persists or not. If you see that the error is not gone, then go to the solution given below.

Solution 7: Perform a Clean Boot

After starting the windows utilizing a usual startup process, different apps and services begin automatically as well as they started to run in the background of the system. These apps and services include some fundamental system processes such as system utility apps, antivirus program, and other software that you installed on your computer previously installed. Such services and apps can create conflicts of software, including the ‘potential Windows update database error detected’ error. You can easily perform a clean boot to begin windows by utilizing a minimum set of startup programs and drivers. This will help you to remove the software conflicts that happen when you install any update or program, or when you run an application in windows.

1. At first, you have to navigate to the Start menu.
2. Type ‘system configuration’ in the search field. Tap on the option ‘System Configuration.’  
3. Navigate to the Services tab under the System Configuration window.
4. Now, you have to tick the ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ option and tap on the ‘Disable all’ option.
5. Go to the Startup tab. Tap on the ‘Open Task Manager’ option.
6. Select all the applications that are enabled on your system one-by-one by going to the Task Manager Startup tab.
7. Now, tap on the ‘Disable’ option. Exit from the Task Manager window and tap on the Ok button from the System Configuration Startup tab.
8. After that, you have to restart the system to save the changes.

Now, check that the ‘potential Windows update database error detected’ continue while you are attempting to troubleshoot the Windows Update.  

Solution 8: Refresh the System

Now, you should try to refresh your computer to check if it can solve the error. To perform this, you should follow the steps stated below:

1. At first, go to the Start menu.
2. Then, click on the gear-shaped Settings icon.
3. Look at the upper left side of the display. There you will see the General option. Click on it.
4. Now, you have to navigate to the listed window and click on the option ‘Refresh your PC without affecting your files feature.’
5. Windows will prompt for the confirmation. Click on the option ‘Get Started.’  
6. Now, you have to follow the on-screen instruction and wait for a minimum of 30 minutes until the process to complete.
7. After completing this procedure you need to restart the PC to save the changes.  

After that, you need to check again if you still face the ‘potential Windows update database error detected’ error notification. If the error persists then follow the next procedure.

Solution 9: Reset the Catroot2 Folder of your Computer

After trying all the solutions given above, if you are still unable to update the system, then you should try to reset the Catroot2 folder of the system. To reset the folder, you should perform the steps mentioned below:

1. At first, you have to launch the Run command box. To open this, you need to hit the Windows key and R both at the same time from the keyboard.
2. Then, type ‘cmd’ in the Run dialog box and tap on the Ok button or hit the Enter key from the keyboard.
3. Or if you prefer you can also open this by going to the Start menu.
4. Now, right click on the Command Prompt. Choose the option ‘Run as Administrator’ to run the Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
5. When it will open a Command Prompt window, then you have to type the commands given below. Press the Enter key after each and every command.

1st: net stop cryptsvc

2nd: md %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old

3rd: xcopy %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old /s

1. It will navigate you to the Catroot2 folder. Remove all the files from the Catrool2 folder.
2. After that, you have to type ‘net start cryptsvc’ in the Command Prompt window and press the Enter key to execute this.

Now, try to start the Windows Update to check whether the Windows update database corruption error has been fixed.

On the Whole

In the above discussion, we have provided some of the easiest solutions to fix the potential Windows update database error detected. We hope if you implement the above methods in their respective order, then it will definitely help you to put an end to this error. After successfully implementing the above steps if you face any kind of trouble, then you should connect with a tech expert. In addition, you can also share your queries and valuable feedback through the comment box given at the end of this post.