9 Fixes For ‘Background Intelligent Transfer Service Keeps Stopping’ Issue in Windows 10 and 11

Windows Services are background processes crucial for many operating system features to work. Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is one such service that handles file transfers via the internet, like Windows Updates. However, some users notice that the Background Intelligent Transfer Service stops stopping on their PCs and impacts the update process.

The main reasons behind this update include misconfigured Windows services, problems with BITS service, malware infestation, and corrupt or missing system files. We will discuss nine methods to fix problems with Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) on Windows.

1. Restart Your PC

If the Background Intelligent Transfer Service or any related service encounters an error, you will have to restart it. However, you can restart your PC to clear the memory, end all the glitched processes, and relaunch all the core system services, including the Background Intelligent Transfer Service.

Press the Windows key to open the Start menu. Click on the Power icon and then click on the Restart option. After your PC restarts, check whether the Background Intelligent Transfer Service encounters any error.

2. Check System Services

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 the Windows key to open the Start menu. Type services in the search box and press Enter to open the utility.

Step 2: Locate the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and check its Startup Type. If it is disabled, double-click on it to open its properties.

Step 3: Click on the Startup Type drop-down list. Select the Automatic (Delayed Start) option.

Step 4: Now, click on the Apply button. After that, click on the OK button.

Step 5: Close the Services app.

3. Use the Background Intelligent Transfer Service Troubleshooter

Windows 11 and 10 have a dedicated troubleshooter for the Background Intelligent Transfer Service. You must run this troubleshooter to identify issues with the service and fix it. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Press the Windows key to open the Start menu. Type troubleshooter in the search box and press Enter to open the Troubleshooter section in the Settings app.

Step 2: Click on the Other troubleshooters option.

Step 3: Scroll down to the Others section. Find the Background Intelligent Transfer Service option and click the Run button.

Step 4: Click the Yes button.

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

4. Run a Complete System Scan Using Windows Defender

If malware has crept into your system and made changes to processes and system services, it can result in abnormal functioning of the Background Intelligent Transfer Service. So, you must run a complete scan using Windows Defender. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Press the Windows key to open the Start menu. Type Virus & threat protection in the search box and then press Enter to open the Windows Security app.

Step 2: Click on the Scan options.

Step 3: Select the Full Scan option and then click on the Scan now button.

Step 4: Wait for the virus scan to complete and then restart your PC.

5. 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 the Windows key to open the Start menu. Type cmd in the search box and simultaneously press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keyboard shortcut.

Step 2: The User Account Control window will launch. Click on the Yes button to open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.

Step 3: Paste the following commands and press Enter to execute them one by one. After the Windows Update service and Background Intelligent Transfer Service commands execute, type y to stop the Application Identity service after executing the third command. Then, execute the fourth command to stop the Cryptographic service.

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
net stop appidsvc

Step 4: Execute the following command to wipe the BITS files. Type Y and press Enter to confirm the deletion:

Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader*.*"

Step 5: Execute the following commands one by one to remove the Catroot2 and SoftwareDistribution folder:

rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q
rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q

Step 6: After that, execute the following two commands to reset BITS and Windows Update services to default:

sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)

Step 7: Execute all the following commands to re-register all the DLL files and press Enter after each one:

regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
regsvr32.exe /s shdocvw.dll
regsvr32.exe /s browseui.dll
regsvr32.exe /s jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe /s vbscript.dll
regsvr32.exe /s scrrun.dll
regsvr32.exe /s msxml.dll
regsvr32.exe /s msxml3.dll
regsvr32.exe /s msxml6.dll
regsvr32.exe /s actxprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe /s softpub.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wintrust.dll
regsvr32.exe /s dssenh.dll
regsvr32.exe /s rsaenh.dll
regsvr32.exe /s gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe /s sccbase.dll
regsvr32.exe /s slbcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe /s cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32.exe /s oleaut32.dll
regsvr32.exe /s ole32.dll
regsvr32.exe /s shell32.dll
regsvr32.exe /s initpki.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wuapi.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wuaueng.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wucltui.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wups.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wups2.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wuweb.dll
regsvr32.exe /s qmgr.dll
regsvr32.exe /s qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wucltux.dll
regsvr32.exe /s muweb.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wuwebv.dll

Step 8: Reset the Winsock catalog and proxy settings by executing the following commands:

netsh winsock reset
netsh winsock reset proxy

Step 9: Lastly, restart all the services that you stopped in the first step with the following commands:

net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc

Step 10: Since you reset the Winsock catalog, you must 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 then reattempt the commands.

6. Manually Install the Windows Update

If you cannot install a Windows update due to the ‘Background Intelligent Transfer Service keeps stopping’ issue, you must manually install the update on your Windows 11 PC. All you need to do is visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website and search for the specific KB update you want to install.

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

7. 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 the Windows key to open the Start menu. Type cmd in the search box and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keyboard shortcut.

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

Step 3: Type the following command and press Enter to execute it:

SFC /scannow

Step 4: Type cls and press Enter to clear the Command Prompt screen.

Step 5: Execute the following commands sequentially:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 6: Close the Command Prompt window.

8. Apply a System Restore Point

You can use a System Restore point 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 the Windows key to open the Start menu. Type rstrui in the search bar and press Enter to open System Restore.

Step 2: Click on the Next button.

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

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

9. Do an In-place Upgrade

The last resort to fix problems with Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) on Windows is by performing an In-place upgrade. It is better than resetting your PC because it preserves all your installed apps, personal data, and settings. Here’s how:

Step 1: Download the Windows ISO file (Windows 10 or 11) on your PC.

Download Windows 11 ISO File

Step 2: Double-click on the ISO file to mount it. Now, double-click on the setup.exe file.

Step 3: The User Account Control window will launch. Click on the Yes button to launch the Windows Installer.

Step 4: Click on the Next button.

Step 5: Click on the Accept button to agree to the End User License Agreement.

Step 6: Lastly, click on the Install button.

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.

Fix Background Intelligent Transfer Service Issues

These were the nine methods to fix problems with Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) on Windows 10 and 11. Check the BITS service startup type, run a full virus scan, and reset Windows Update components. After that, manually install the update, run SFC and DISM scans, and use System Restore or In-place Upgrade.