How to fix
KB5055612 fails to install
on Windows

KB5055612 is not installing for me. I never had to deal with any installation problems with Windows updates (including Preview updates) - it would be nice to get some tips on this.

KB5055612 update is a Preview update for Windows 11, version 24H2, published on April 11, 2025, as part of Windows Insiders' Beta Channel. The update brings the operating system to build 26120.3863 and includes enhancements such as improved Windows Search on Copilot+ PCs, where users can input settings in the taskbar search box using natural sentences such as "change my theme" without using quotes of exact names.

It also deploys an enhanced image description feature in the Edge browser with detailed descriptions on photos like stock market charts. To date, such features are released on Snapdragon-based Copilot+ PCs, and on AMD and Intel-based processors next.

However, KB5055612 fails to install for some, and that can be discouraging since it prevents people from getting to use new features and features. When KB5055612 does not install, it may cause repeated update requests or system slowdown due to the failed installation attempt.

The common suspects are an unstable internet connection that prevents the download of update files, corrupted system files that disrupt the installation process, or a corrupted update cache in the SoftwareDistribution folder, where temporary update files are stored. Other potential causes may include conflicts between third-party software or a shortage of disk space on the system drive.

The best part is that there are several solutions to this issue. If the error is network-related due to an unstable network connection, a rebooted network or router reset should rectify it. In the case of system file corruption, SFC and DISM scans can repair the corrupted files. Clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder will resolve update cache issues by forcing Windows to download new files. Third-party software conflicts or disk space may need to be examined in some instances.

The instructions below provide eight detailed fixes to help resolve the issue of KB5055612 failing to install, starting with simpler steps like checking your internet connection and progressing to more advanced solutions like performing a clean update. For a faster and more automated solution, we recommend using [d1], a PC repair tool that can address system issues potentially causing KB5055612 to fail to install, along with other common Windows problems.

Fix 1. Run relevant troubleshooters

• Type Troubleshoot in Windows search and hit Enter.
• Select Other troubleshooters.
• Find Network & Internet from the list and select Run.
• Repeat this with Windows Update troubleshooter.
• Wait till the scan is finished - you will be provided with potential causes so you can proceed with fixes.

Fix 2. Check the services

• Type Services in Windows search and press Enter.
• In the Services window, locate and double-click on the following services one by one (if these are already running, right-click and hit Restart):
  • Windows Update
  • Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
  • Cryptographic Services
• For each service, ensure that the Startup type is set to Automatic. If it's not, select Automatic from the drop-down menu.
• Check the Service status. If the service is not running, click the Start button to start it.
• Click Apply and then OK for each service.
• Close the Services window and restart your system.

Fix 3. Repair corrupted system files

• Type cmd in Windows search bar.
• Right-click on the Command Prompt result and select Run as administrator.
• Click Yes when prompted by User Account Control.
• Then, copy and paste the following command, pressing Enter after:
  sfc /scannow
• Wait till the scan is finished. If Windows finds system file integrity violations, it will attempt to fix them. After this, use the set of the following commands, pressing Enter each time:
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  
• (Note: if you get an error executing this last command, add /Source:C:\RepairSource\Windows /LimitAccess to it and try again).
• Close down the Command Prompt and restart your system.

Fix 4. Perform a Disk Cleanup

• Type Disk Cleanup in Windows search and hit Enter.
• If your Windows is installed on drive C, pick it from the list (it should be by default) and press OK.
• Click Clean up system files.
• Select your main disk again and click OK.
• Here, select the largest portions of the data used - these typically include Temporary Internet Files, Windows Update, Temporary Files, Recycle Bin, Delivery Optimization Files, and others.
• Click OK - the process should be finished shortly.

Fix 5. Perform Check Disk

• Type cmd in Windows search.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
• When User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
• In the new window, type in the following command and press Enter after:
  chkdsk c: /f
  (Note: use chkdsk c: /f /r /x command if you are using SSD as your primary partition)
• If you receive an error, type in Y, close down Command Prompt, and restart your device.
• Wait until the scan is finished - you can find the results in the Event Viewer.

Fix 6. Run Clean Boot

• Type msconfig in the Windows search box and press Enter.
• Pick the Services tab.
• Mark Hide all Microsoft services and select Disable all.
• Select the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
• In the Task Manager, right-click on each of the items and select Disable, then close the Task Manager.
• Go to the Boot tab, mark the Safe Boot option, then click Apply and OK.
• On the System Configuration window, click OK.
• Restart your computer and attempt the update.

Fix 7. Reset Windows update components

• Type cmd in Windows search.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
• When User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
• Stop the Windows Update and related services by running these commands one by one:
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver
• Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders with these commands:
  • ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
  • ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
• Restart the stopped services:
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start cryptSvc
  • net start bits
  • net start msiserver
• Try installing the update again.