Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) Windows 10 Problem [FIXED]

fix background intelligent transfer service bits problems windows 10

Do you have an issue or Problem With BITS Service Windows 10?

Is your Background intelligent transfer service windows 10 keeps stopping?


This article provides solutions for issues with the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) in Windows 10, covering its importance for system updates and file transfers using idle network bandwidth. It suggests troubleshooting methods like using Windows troubleshooters, system file checks (SFC), Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) commands, and manual updates to resolve common BITS problems. 


Before solving the BITS service problem in Windows 10, you need to know more about What is bits service Windows 10 & How to restart BITS service.

Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is basically a system component present in the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system that is capable to facilitate file transfer between machines using idle network bandwidth.

The service handles prioritized and throttled information by pausing and resuming the data transfers automatically. This background intelligent transfer service (BITS) is important for Windows 10 Updates to work efficiently.

If in any case, the service is disabled or Windows could not start the Background Intelligent Transfer Service, then applications that are dependent on BITS, like Windows Update or MSN Explorer, would be unable to automatically download programs and other information as well.

It is most commonly used by latest versions of Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services, and System Center Configuration Manager to deliver software updates to the clients, Microsoft‘s anti-virus scanner Microsoft Security Essentials (a later version of Windows Defender) to fetch signature updates, and is also used by Microsoft’s instant messaging products to transfer files

On Windows 10 Bits Service represents an essential component liable for assisting the device & applications during background downloads and uploads connecting the device as well as a remote server.

It’s not just the case that only BITS can affect the performance, there are outdated drivers that affect the overall performance of a computer as well. So, installing the latest drivers can fix this problem.

FixBit, a driver update software, is a one-stop solution for all your driver update needs for Windows. You will save your precious time and efforts. We offer easy Scan & Update Drivers for Windows 10, 8, 7 Vista & XP. It is a hassle-free way to download and update PC drivers.

Use this Guide to to fix common problems with the BITS on Windows 10?

Also read – How to Fix Mouse Cursor Disappears in Windows 10?

How Background Intelligent Transfer Service Windows 10 Works

The services provided can be classified into three forms:

Download service – downloads files to the clients

Upload service – uploads a file to the server

Upload-reply – uploads a file to the server and then receives a reply file from the server application.

How to Start or Restart BITS Service Windows 10

How do you know how to start or restart BITS Service, if in case background intelligent transfer service Windows 10 Keeps Stopping?

On Windows computer, at startup, the Background Intelligent Transfer Service starts automatically but in any case, if the service is not started, the users may face various issues.

So, to avoid yourselves from being getting frustrated you can manually check and then start up the BITS service. The steps include:

Press Windows + R key, type services.msc

Press enter key to open Windows services

Scroll down to look for Background Intelligent Transfer Service

If this service is Running simply Right click on it and select Restart

This will Restart the BITS service and fix if the service is stuck due to any reason.

If the service doesn’t start then double-click on it

A new popup under general tab change the startup type Automatic

and click on the start button the service next to service status as shown below image

restart Background intelligent transfer service manual or automatic

There may be cases when BITS stopped working properly so here we have listed three ways to troubleshoot and fix common problems to have smooth functions:

How to fix BITS problems via Troubleshooter

How to fix BITS problems using System File Checker (Sfc) and DISM

How to fix BITS problems using the manual update

Also Read –  How To Install Unsigned Drivers In Windows 10

A – How to Fix Windows 10 BITS Problems via Troubleshooters

To fix common problem with bits service windows 10, use these steps:

Open Control Panel.

Use the “View by” drop-down menu, in the top-right, and select the Large icons option

Click on the ‘Troubleshooting’ option

troubleshooting control panel windows 10

Click on the ‘Hardware and Sound’ option

hardware and sound troubleshooter windows 10

Under the “Windows” section, click the ‘Background Intelligent Transfer Service’ troubleshooter

bits troubleshooter windows 10

Click the Advanced option

Select the Apply repairs automatically option

background intelligent transfer service troubleshooter windows 10

Click the Next button

Click the View detailed information option

troubleshooter detailed information windows 10

Review the Detection details

bits troubleshooter review detection details

Click the Next button

Click the Close button

When the steps are completed, the troubleshooter will scan, detect, and fix any problems (including restarting the service as necessary) that may be preventing the BITS from working correctly.

 B – Fix BITS Problems Using SFC and DISM Windows 10

You can also use the SFC and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (Dism) command line tool to fix the issue

To use DISM and SFC for fixing problems with BITS, use these steps:

Open Start

Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result

Select the Run as administrator option

Type the following command to scan and repair any system file corruption and then press Enter

dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

fix bits dism command windows 10

Type the following (Sfc) Scannow Windows 10 command to run the tool and press Enter

sfc /scannow

fix bit system file checker scannow

After the completion of the steps, the DISM will scan, repair the system files, and the Windows 10 System File Checker tool will scan and try to resolve common issues with your Windows 10 installation. Get further help on recovering lost files.

C – Fix BITS Problems Using the Manual Update Windows 10

The latest quality update from the Microsoft Update Catalog website can also be of great help to fix the issue.

To Install Bits Windows 10, first you need to install the latest update, use these steps:

Determine the latest update

Before you can download the latest quality update, you need to determine its knowledge base (KB) reference name

Also Read – List of Windows 10 Blue Screen Error & Stop Codes (BSoD)

Check if Computer is Running a 32-bit or 64-bit Version of the Windows 10?

To find out whether your device needs a 32-bit or 64-bit version of an update, use these steps:

Open Settings

Click on System

Click on About

Under the Device specifications section, check the System type information

Confirm whether you need 32-bit or 64-bit updates

how to determine 32 or 64 bit windows 10

Steps to Download Windows 10 Update Manually

Open the the Microsoft Update Catalog website

Search for the update using the most relevant KB number. For example, KB4495667

Click the Download button for the 64-bit or 32-bit version of the update

download Windows 10 update manually

Click the .msu link

Fix BITS Error by Installing Windows 10 Updates Manually

Open Start

Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result

Select the Run as administrator option

Type the following command to run the tool and press Enter

wusa C:\FOLDER-PATH\UPDATE-NAME.msu /quiet /norestart

install windows 10 updates manually

After completing these steps, you can restart your system, and the system download manager service should start working again.

Also Read – How To Fix/Disable Driver Signature Enforcement Windows 10

You can refer this guide to fix BITS problems in Windows 10 . I hope this post helps you to know about Background Intelligent Transfer Service.

For any kind of technical help or assisstance, you can get in touch with our IT support department.