Windows 11 Update Not Showing Up? Try These Fixes

Windows 11 is Microsoft’s newest operating system and has been released as a free upgrade to users who meet particular requirements. If you’ve been anticipating this newest update but can’t seem to find the proper links to it, then you’re not alone.

In this article, we’ll show you how you can solve the Windows 11 update not showing on your PC. We’ll also detail the particular reasons why this error happens in the first place.

Common Reasons for the Missing Update

The Windows 11 update should be available for all systems that meet the necessary prerequisites, but errors can happen. The most common reasons for the Windows 11 update not showing for your OS are the following:

1. Incompatible Temporary Files
   The temporary files needed to upgrade your system from Windows 10 to 11 may be incompatible with your system. This can happen if you’ve previously downloaded the Windows 11 update files but experienced an error during the download. The files may be missing important sections or may have been corrupted during the process.
2. Wrong Current OS
   The Windows 11 update is available for users who are currently using the Windows 10 OS. Users that have Windows 8, 7, or XP will not be able to update to Windows 11 for free as it is not the required OS.
3. System Incompatibility
   Windows 11 has minimum system requirements that must be met if you wish to run the OS. If your current computer doesn’t meet these standards, then it might be the reason why your update is missing from your system. The minimum system requirements for Windows 11 are as follows:
   • Processor with 1 GHz or faster speed, with 2 or more cores and 64-bit compatibility.
   • At least 4 GB of RAM.
   • At least 64 GB of disk storage space for installation. More space may be required for regular updates.
   • Secure Boot Capability.
   • Trusted Platform Module 2.0 enabled.
   • Compatibility with Direct X 12 or later.
   • WDDM 2.0 driver.
   • 9-inch 720p HD display.
   • Internet connectivity.
4. Error in the Windows Update Service
   If you’ve turned off Windows updates or have recently used software like a registry cleaner to disable update messages, then you will not see the update message. You will have to manually re-enable the update system, or it will remain deactivated in the background.
5. Not Logged in to Admin Account
   If you’re using a machine with multiple accounts, you might be using a non-admin profile. Windows OS updates require the approval of a system administrator to continue. If you’re not the current system admin, you will not be able to install the update.
6. Package Systems
   Some pre-built computers like laptops require OS updates from the original equipment manufacturers. This means that any Windows 11 update will come from the manufacturer’s website and not from Microsoft itself. You may have to wait for driver upgrades before the update notice begins to show up.

Known Fixes for the Missing Windows 11 Update

If you’re having trouble finding the Windows 11 update link or are experiencing errors during the update process itself, these quick solutions might solve the issue:

1. Restart Your PC
   
   Sometimes, the easiest solution is the most obvious one. If your update files are corrupted, or the download experienced an error in the middle of the process, a quick restart may solve the problem.
   Don’t do a hard reset by pressing the power button. Go through the Start menu in the lower-left corner of the screen, or press “Win + X” then choose “Shut Down”. Allowing the system to turn itself off will prevent further file corruption and should allow you to redownload updates without additional errors.
2. Meet System Requirements
   
   If your PC doesn’t meet the minimum requirements as given above, or in Microsoft’s Windows 11 System Requirements list, the update will not appear. This is to prevent the system from crashing once installation has ended.
   Make sure that your computer meets all the minimum requirements for the update link to start appearing. This may involve both hardware and software upgrades.
3. Enable Secure Boot
   Secure Boot is an important feature that prevents malicious software from starting whenever you boot your device. Most computers are capable of running this security feature and must be enabled if you want to install the Windows 11 update. To manually turn on Secure Boot, you must access your system BIOS menu. This can be done by following these steps:
   • Click on the Windows Menu icon on the bottom left of the screen.
     
   • Click on Settings.
     
   • Click on Windows Update.
     
   • And then select Advanced Option.
     
   • After you scroll down choose Recovery.
     
   • Under the Advanced Startup tab, click on Restart Now. Note that this will restart your computer.
     
   • On the screen, choose Troubleshoot.
     
   • Choose Advanced Options.
     
   • Select UEFI Firmware Settings
     
   • Select Restart.
     
     If your particular computer has a different method of accessing the BIOS menu, refer to your manufacturer’s webpage for specific instructions.
4. Enable TPM 2.0
   Windows 11 requires that your computer has the 2.0 version of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). Most computers that were manufactured within the last five years are already TPM 2.0 compatible. To check if you have the correct version of TPM, follow these steps:
   1. Click on the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the screen.
      
   2. Choose Settings.
      
   3. Click on Privacy & Security.
      
   4. On the left menu, choose Windows Security.
      
   5. On the right menu, click on Open Windows Security.
      
   6. The right menu should have a tab for Security Processor. If it doesn’t then it may be disabled or you may not have a TPM for your system. If you do see a Security Processor tab, click on it.
   7. You’ll now be able to see the version of your TPM.
      If your TPM is not version 2.0 or higher, then your system isn’t compatible with the Windows 11 update. To upgrade your TPM, please consult your PC’s manufacturer’s website for details.
5. Enable Windows Update
   Sometimes, you might not be seeing any update messages because the update features have been turned off either manually or by cleanup software. You can easily turn the updates back on by doing the following:
   • Click on the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the screen.
     
   • Click on Settings.
     
   • On the left menu, click on Windows Update.
     
   • Check to see if updates have been paused. If it is, click on Resume Updates.
     
   • If the upgrade has been manually paused, there should be a message on the right corner of the screen that allows you to check if the Windows 11 upgrade is ready to install.
     
6. Install Windows 11 Manually
   
   If Windows 11 is already available for your device and it meets all the minimum requirements, you can install the upgrade manually. Simply head over to the Microsoft Windows 11 Installation Assistant page and download the updates from there.
   You have three options for downloading the update: you can use direct download, create a USB or DVD installer, or download a .ISO file to mount a virtual disk.
7. Wait for the Rolling Update
   Another possible reason why the Windows 11 update hasn’t appeared on your system yet is that Microsoft hasn’t released a compatible version for your PC. The rollout for the Windows 11 upgrade has been steady, but it’s in no way complete.
   A full rollout isn’t expected to be completed until the middle of 2022, and there might be nothing you can do but wait for a compatible version.
8. Sign Up for Windows Insider Program
   If you still can’t update your Windows operating system despite having all the requirements to do so, you can sign up for the Insider Program instead. This allows you to use the beta version of Windows 11 and gives you access to dev builds before they are officially released.
   Of course, this could mean that you experience a few bugs, but if you’re willing to risk it, this can be the last resort if you want to try out Windows 11. To sign up for the Insider Program, do the following:
   • Click on the Windows button in the lower-left corner of the screen.
     
   • Click on Settings.
     
   • Choose Privacy & Security.
     
   • If you’ve turned off optional diagnostic data, you’ll be prompted to turn them back on.
     
   • Under the Windows Insider Program banner, click on Get Started.
   • Choose an account to link with the Insider Program.
   • Choose a particular channel that you want to use. Each channel will have its own beta builds for you to try.
   • Click on Confirm.
   • Restart your PC.
   • Go back to the Updates & Security page, then click on Windows Update.
   • After another Restart, your PC should be running the latest Windows 11 beta build.

The Latest OS

If you’re excited about the latest Windows OS, the Windows 11 update not showing up on your PC will be rather annoying. Knowing how to take care of this error will grant you the latest access to Microsoft’s most streamlined operating system to date.

Do you know of other ways to fix the error when the Windows 11 update doesn’t show up? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.