Fix: Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) Keeps Stopping

Abhishek stuck to the Windows operating system ever since he bought the Lenovo G570. As obvious as it is, he loves to write about Windows and Android, the two most common yet fascinating operating systems available to mankind. When he is not drafting a post, he loves to binge OnePiece and whatever Netflix has to offer.

Afam has been a content writer with Guiding Tech Media since August 2023. However, his experience in tech writing dates back to 2018, when he worked as a freelance writer for Make Tech Easier. Over the years, he has grown a reputation for publishing quality guides, reviews, tips, and explainer articles. His work is featured on top websites, including Technical Ustad, Windows Report, and Next of Windows. He has training as a Microsoft Certified Professional and has covered more Microsoft-related guides on these platforms.

Fix 1: Set Background Intelligent Transfer Service to Automatic (Delayed Start)

If the Background Intelligent Transfer Service or its related services are misconfigured, you must reset them to their default settings using the Services app. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1:Press theWindowskey to open the Start menu. Typeservicesin the search box and pressEnterto open the utility.

Step 2:Locate theBackground Intelligent Transfer Serviceand check itsStartup Type. If it is disabled, double-click on it to open its properties.

Step 3:Click on theStartup Typedrop-down list. Select theAutomatic (Delayed Start)option.

Step 4:Now, click on theApplybutton, followed byOK.

Step 5:Close the Services app.

Fix 2: Run the Background Intelligent Transfer Service Troubleshooter

Windows has a dedicated troubleshooter for the Background Intelligent Transfer Service. You must run this troubleshooter to identify and fix issues with the service. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1:Press theWindowskey and open theStartmenu. Typetroubleshooterin the search box and pressEnterto open the Troubleshooter section in the Settings app.

Step 2:Click on theOther troubleshootersoption.

Step 3:Scroll down to theOtherssection. FindBackground Intelligent Transfer Serviceand click theRunbutton.

Step 4:Click theYesbutton.

Step 5:Wait for the troubleshooter to find issues with the service and apply fixes accordingly. After that, close the troubleshooter window.

Fix 3: Run SFC and DISM Scans

If the BITS service doesn’t work properly, it could be due to missing or corrupt system files or a damaged Windows Component store. Run SFC and DISM scans one by one to fix both issues on your Windows PC. Here’s how:

Step 1:Press theWindowskey and open theStartmenu. Typecmdin the search box and press theCtrl+Shift+Enterkeyboard shortcut.

Step 2:The User Account Control window will pop up. Click on theYesbutton to open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.

Step 3:Type the following command and pressEnterto execute it:

Step 4:Typeclsand pressEnterto clear the Command Prompt screen.

Step 5:Execute the following commands sequentially:

Step 6:Close the Command Prompt window.

Fix 4: Reset Windows Update Components

If the BITS service keeps changing to manual and you face issues with Windows Updates and other app updates, you must reset the Windows update components on your PC. It is a series of commands that will reset all the services to normal, clear the software distribution folder, and reset network settings on your PC. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1:Press theWindowskey to open theStartmenu. Typecmdin the search box and simultaneously pressCtrl+Shift+Enterkeyboard shortcut.

Step 2:The User Account Control window will launch. Click onYesto open Command Prompt with admin privileges.

Step 3:Paste the following commands and pressEnterto execute them individually.

Step 4:Once done, typeyto stop the Application Identity service after executing the third command. Then, execute the command below to stop the Cryptographic service.

Step 5:Execute the following command to wipe the BITS files. TypeYand pressEnterto confirm the deletion:

Step 6:Execute the following commands one by one to remove the Catroot2 and SoftwareDistribution folder:

Step 7:After that, execute the following two commands to reset BITS and Windows Update services to default:

Step 8:Execute all the following commands to re-register all the DLL files and pressEnterafter each one:

Step 9:Reset the Winsock catalog and proxy settings by executing the following commands:

Step 10:Lastly, restart all the services that you stopped in the first step with the following commands:

Step 11:Restart your PC to apply the changes.

Windows will recreate the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders after the restart. If you face any error while executing the commands, stop all the services again using the first step and reattempt the commands.

Fix 5: Manually Install the Windows Update

If you cannot install a Windows update because the Background Intelligent Transfer Service keeps stopping, you must manually install the update on your Windows 11 PC. To do so, visit theMicrosoft Update Catalog websiteand search for the specific KB update you want to install.

Download the MSU package file and run the installer with administrator privileges. This way, you can manually install Microsoft’s latest update when the BITS service doesn’t work properly.

Fix 6: Run the System Restore Utility

You can use aSystem Restorepoint to revert to a point in time when the BITS service and other Windows features worked fine. It won’t affect your personal files. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1:Press theWindowskey to open theStartmenu. Typerstruiin the search bar and pressEnterto open System Restore.

Step 2:Click on theNextbutton.

Step 3:Pick a suitable restore point from the list. Click onNextand follow the on-screen instructions to apply it.

Your PC will restart and boot to the Desktop. It can take a while.

Fix 7: Do an In-Place Upgrade

The last resort for fixing problems with Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) on Windows is performing an In-place upgrade. This is better thanresetting your PCbecause it preserves all your installed apps, personal data, and settings. You mustdownload the Windows ISOfile on your PC, then follow the steps below.

Step 1:Double-click on the ISO file to mount it. Now, double-click on thesetup.exefile.

Step 2:The User Account Control window will launch. Click onYesto launch the Windows Installer.

Step 3:Click onNext.

Step 4:Click theAcceptbutton to agree to the End User License Agreement.

Step 5:Lastly, click on theInstallbutton.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the In-place Upgrade on your PC. It can take about 30 minutes to one hour to complete.

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Last updated on 26 April, 2024

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