Fix Windows 11 Error: Something Went Wrong - 7 Easy Solutions

There are several reasons why you may be encountering the "Something Didn't Go as Planned" error when trying to update Windows 11. One common cause, as reported by many users, is an incorrect ID for the system partition. This can be due to the ID being altered or erased, preventing the updates from installing properly.

Other potential causes include Malwarebytes interfering with the update process, insufficient free space on your disk, issues with Windows' update cache, and corrupt system files on your PC.

Try the following solutions in order to fix a “Something Didn’t Go As Planned” error on your Windows 11 PC. By following these steps, you can resolve your problem and successfully install your updates.

- Remove Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is an anti-malware app that can interfere with your Windows updates, causing them to fail. Removing the app from your PC is the first recommended solution because interference from Malwarebytes is a common cause of update failures. You can reinstall the app after fixing the issue, so there’s no harm in trying this solution.

To remove the app, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features. Find “Malwarebytes,” click the three dots, and select “Uninstall.” Then, select “Uninstall” in the prompt that appears.

If you encounter issues with installing your Windows update, it might be due to the "Something Didn't Go As Planned" error message displayed by Windows 11. This error message can occur if the ID of your system partition is not correct. To resolve this issue, it is recommended that you re-assign the correct ID to the partition.

While there are other simpler solutions available, it is advised to try this method first as it has proven to be effective in fixing the error for many users. If this solution does not work, you can proceed to the next step.

To utilize the solution, simply follow these steps:

1. Open the "Start" menu.

2. Search for "Command Prompt".

3. Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as Administrator".

4. In the "User Account Control" prompt, click "Yes".

5. Once in Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: "diskpart".

6. Then, type "list disk" and press Enter to list all available disks.

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Find the disk where Windows 11 is installed by noting the number displayed in the "Disk ###" column for that disk. Then, select the disk by entering the command "select disk 0" and replacing "0" with your noted number.

Once your Windows 11 disk is selected, view your disk partitions by running the command "list partition".

Locate the partition in the list that displays "System" in the "Type" column. Next, execute the command below while replacing the number "1" with the number assigned to your system partition.

select partition 1

To allocate the appropriate ID to your system partition, utilize the following command:

SET ID=c12a7328-f81f-11d2-ba4b-00a0c93ec93b

After successfully correcting the ID of your system partition, it is important to reboot your PC before proceeding with the installation of your Windows update. This ensures that any changes made to your system are properly implemented and your update can be installed without any issues.

- Free Up Your Disk Space

Insufficient free disk space is a common reason why Windows 11 may fail to install system updates. To resolve this issue, it is important to free up storage space on your device. You can do this by removing unnecessary files, uninstalling unused programs, or transferring files to an external storage device. Once you have freed up enough space, you should be able to install your system updates without any problems.

RELATED: How to Free Up Space in Windows 11

To free up space on your PC and make room for updates, try removing any unwanted files such as photos, videos, documents, and apps. Additionally, clearing your Windows 11 cache can help eliminate unnecessary files taking up valuable disk storage. Once you've completed this step, run your Windows update again and it should go smoothly.

- Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter

If you encounter any issues updating your system, Windows 11 offers a built-in troubleshooter to help resolve the problem. Simply navigate to Settings, then System, Troubleshoot, and select Other Troubleshooters. From there, click on "Windows Update" and select "Run" to utilize the tool.

To fix your update issue, simply follow the on-screen instructions.

- Clear Your Windows Update Cache

One common reason for failed updates on Windows is a corrupt update cache. Luckily, this can be easily resolved by clearing out the cache files. The good news is that this process won't delete any of your personal files or impact other functions of Windows.

To get started, open the "Run" dialog by pressing Windows+R. Then, enter the following command and hit Enter:

To delete the update files, you need to first stop the "Windows Update" service. To do this, open the "Services" window, find the service, right-click it, and select "Stop."

To proceed with deleting the files, keep the "Services" window open and launch the "Run" dialog by pressing Windows+R. In the dialog box, type "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution" and press Enter.

Delete all files in the Windows Update cache folder by selecting them all with Ctrl+A and then right-clicking on one and selecting "Delete" (a trash can icon).

After deleting the files, return to the "Services" window and right-click on the "Windows Update" service. Choose "Start" to retry installing your Windows updates.

- Fix Corrupt Windows Files

If you continue to see a "Something Didn't Go As Planned" error, it's possible that your system's core files are corrupt. Malicious items such as viruses may have caused damage to these files, rendering them unusable.

To effortlessly fix any corrupt files on your PC, use the SFC (System File Checker) tool that is built into your computer. This tool automatically scans and repairs all the files for you, eliminating the need for any manual intervention.

To initiate the tool, simply open the "Start" menu, search for "Command Prompt," and right-click to select "Run as Administrator." When the "User Account Control" prompt appears, click "Yes" to continue.

Once you are in the Command Prompt, type in the following command and hit "Enter." This command will instruct Windows Update to download the necessary files to repair any broken files on your system.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

If none of the previous solutions have resolved your Windows update issue, you can try resetting your PC to its factory settings. This will erase all custom configurations, including any that may be causing the problem, and allow you to start fresh with various setting options.

When you decide to reset your PC, it's important to note that your personal files won't be lost in the process. However, your apps and settings will be reset to their default configurations.

To initiate the reset process, simply navigate to Settings > System > Recovery. From there, select “Reset This PC” and click on the corresponding button.

Once you're on the “Reset This PC” window, choose the option labeled “Keep My Files.” This will ensure that your personal files remain intact during the reset process.