Facing problem while downloading or installing new Windows Update. A message shows on your screen ‘Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected’. After that, you start picking up the solutions from troubleshooting, where you run Windows Update Troubleshooter or the WU Online Troubleshooter but still, that same message appears on your computer screen ‘Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected’ instead of resolving the problem.
Worry not, here we are with some of the solutions if you face any problem even after running Windows Update Troubleshooter or the WU Online Troubleshooter.
Before moving to the solutions let’s know more about “Potential Windows Update Database Error”.
What is Potential Windows Update Database Error
Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected message often appears while running or installing updates on your Windows PC due to some corrupted third-party applications, Corrupted Files or some other damaged files.
Performing Windows Update Troubleshooter
Before moving to the further steps, try to resolve this problem by performing Windows Update Troubleshooter. Follow the below steps:
Step 1: Move your mouse pointer to the bottom of the Windows Screen.
Step 2: Just after the Bar opens up, left click or go to the Search feature.
Step 3: Type Control Panel on the search board and click on the Control Panel to open it.
Step 4: Now, Select the Troubleshooting icon showing on your screen.
Step 5: Tap on the View All button situated on the left side of your Windows screen.
Step 6: Now scroll it down and select the option Windows Update at the bottom.
Step 7: Select the Next option shown at the lower side of the Windows.
Step 8: Finish the troubleshooting after a further step.
Step 9: After finishing the troubleshooting, reboot your PC.
If it shows the same message again, try these above steps again or you can try the solutions given below.
How to Fix “Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected”
Here are some of the solutions to get rid of this message:
1. Run System File Checker by performing SFC Scan
By performing an SFC scan, you’ll be able to fix corrupted or damaged files that might be causing this error. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Press Windows Key + X to open Window+X menu.
Step 2. Select Command Prompt Admin.
Step 3. Now type sfc/scannow and press Enter.
Note: If Command Prompt isn’t available, use PowerShell (Admin).
This will replace all corrupted and harmful Windows Operating files. After the scan is over, restart your computer.
2. Rename The Affected Files after restarting Windows Update Service
If it still shows up the message ‘Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected’, then sometimes you can just solve it by restarting your Window Update Service and renaming the affected files. follow these steps:
Step 1. Press Windows Key + X to open Window+X menu.
Step 2. Select Command Prompt Admin.
Step 3. Type:
Net Stop wuauserv
Net Stop bits
Net Stop msiserver
Ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution
SoftwareDistribution.old
Ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2
Catroot2.old
Net Start wuauserv
Net Start bits
Net Start msiserver.
Step 4. Now restart your pc.
3. Run DSIM
Dsim.exe tool is basically used in other situations but you can also use it to repair ‘Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected’ error or corrupted Windows Updates files. Perform these following steps:
Step 1. Press Windows Key + X to open Window+X menu.
Step 2. Select Command Prompt Admin.
Step 3. Type:
DISM.exe /online /cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C: \RepairSource \Windows /LimitedAccess
Now, you’ve replaced the C: \RepairSource \Windows placeholder with the location of the source of repair after the completion of the process, DISM create a log file in %Windows%/Log/CBS/CBS. This catches any issues and fixes it.
4. Run a Clean Boot
Sometimes, third-party applications interfere with Windows Updates and might be the cause of the error ‘Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected’. To get rid of this problem perform the Clean Boot step by step:
Step 1. Press Windows Key + R and enter msconfig. Press enter and click ok.
Step 2. Open Service Tab and select Hide All Microsoft Services. After this, click on the Disable button.
Step 3. Now click on the Startup tab. Now, Open the Task Manager.
Step 4. Right click on the first application shown in the list on the Task Manager and select Disable.
Step 5. Repeat the above step until it covers all files.
Step 6. Click on Apply to apply the task and click OK to save the changes.
Step 7. Now, restart your PC.
This could be helpful for troubleshooting the error showing ‘Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected’.
Also Read: Windows Update Stuck? Fix Here
If you’re still facing the problem regarding Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected message, uninstall the window and reinstall it.
So, here we are with our best solution for ‘Potential Windows Update Database Error Detected’ error. Hope we provided you with the helpful solutions. Let us know in the comment section.
