Microsoft Office automatic updates are not happening automatically and results in other issues

Question

Microsoft Office automatic updates are not happening automatically and results in other issues

Mark_in_VA 1

Microsoft Office 365 does not appear to be automatically updating on my Windows 11 Microsoft tablet.

For me, it seems to be an ongoing issue.

I am supposed to have automatic updates on. In Account in my Office apps, it shows "Microsoft 365 and Office Updates" "Updates are automatically downloaded and installed."

However, for me, in order to see if I have an update needed, I have to go to Account (File > Account) in one of my Office apps, and then I can see if I am up to date, or if I have updates to install. If there are ones to install, I then have to do so.

Today, as it has in the past, not having the update appears to have caused a problem with printing, that prevented one printer from printing. I did not realize it was an Office issue, so ended up contacting Microsoft support, and the tech was going to have me repair Windows. I later checked Office and found once again there was an update that was not installed. After I did the update, the printer worked fine. By the way, in Windows updates, I have Receive updates for other Microsoft products = On.

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Stefan Blom 353.8K MVP Volunteer Moderator

In my experience, having to manually search for updates (via File > Account > Update Options > Update Now) isn't unusual. I rarely see a prompt telling my that an update is ready to install (unless I manually search). This could be caused by a user pattern. Maybe I use the Office apps "too much" during the working day, or there is another reason why the search for updates often isn't automatic. This is well worth reporting to Microsoft, for example in the feedback portal at https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/forum/fb6d67e3-301c-ec11-b6e7-0022481f8472 .

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Answer 2

Xavier-D 13,750 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Mark_in_VA

I can see that you are having issue with Microsoft Office automatic updates not happening automatically

Since Update Now works but Microsoft 365 does not update automatically, the next step is to check the component responsible for initiating automatic updates rather than repeating the manual-update steps.

Here are what you can do:

Check the automatic-update task

Press Windows + R, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.
Go to Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Office.
Locate Office Automatic Updates 2.0.
Confirm that:
- The task is not disabled.
- It has an active trigger.
- Last Run Result does not show an error.
Right-click the task and select Run.

Check the Click-to-Run service

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Find Microsoft Office Click-to-Run Service.
Make sure it is not disabled.
If it is stopped, start it. If it is already running, restart it.
Restart Windows afterward.

If the scheduled task is missing, repeatedly fails, or Office still updates only when you select Update Now:

Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Find Microsoft 365.
Select the three-dot menu and then Modify.
Select Online Repair > Repair.

Online Repair repairs the whole Office installation and may require you to sign in again afterward.

Please also provide the following information:

The complete Office version and build shown under File > Account > About Word
The update channel shown under File > Account
Whether Office Automatic Updates 2.0 exists
Its Last Run Time and Last Run Result
Whether this is a personal Microsoft 365 subscription or a device managed by an employer or school

I hope this helps narrow down why automatic updating is not starting.

Feel free reply back to this post and update me on this issue, I'll be happy to help.

Mark_in_VA 1 Reputation point

2026-09-15T19:56:33.1933333+00:00
Hello Xavier,

Everything was set up or ran the way you said it should. By the way, I restarted my computer today for a Windows update (2026-09 Security Update (KB5129195) (26200.9457)). When I checked Office for updates, it showed an update needed ,but when I tried to install it, it said it was updated already.

complete Office version and build: Microsoft® Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2608 Build 16.0.20326.20072) 64-bit

The update channel: Current Channel

Whether Office Automatic Updates 2.0 exists: Yes, it exists

Its Last Run Time and Last Run Result: Today at 3:33 pm local the operation completed successfully

Whether this is a personal Microsoft 365 subscription or a device managed by: Personal
Xavier-D 13,750 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-16T00:13:27.6333333+00:00
Hi Mark_in_VA

Thank you for providing those details. The scheduled task completing successfully confirms that the automatic update check is running.

However, there is an inconsistency: Version 2608 Build 16.0.20326.20072 is listed in Microsoft’s release history as a Current Channel (Preview) build, while your Office installation reports Current Channel. This may indicate that the update-channel configuration is not fully synchronized, which could explain why Office first reports an available update and then says it is already up to date.

Please check whether the Microsoft 365 Insider option appears under File > Account. If it does, let us know whether you are currently enrolled in the Insider program.

Also, have you already completed the Online Repair suggested earlier? If not, please try it:

Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.

Find Microsoft 365, select the three-dot menu, and choose Modify.

Select Online Repair > Repair.

Restart Windows, open Word, and check File > Account again.

Please let us know the Office version, build, and displayed update channel after the repair. If the mismatch remains, Microsoft Support may need to examine the Click-to-Run channel configuration and update logs on the device.
Xavier-D 13,750 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-16T23:53:45.1033333+00:00

Hi Mark_in_VA

I’m following up to check on the status of this issue.

Have you had an opportunity to review the answer shared earlier?

Any update you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Mark_in_VA 1 Reputation point

2026-10-02T17:05:18.36+00:00
Hello Xavier,

Sorry for the delay. I just had another instance where my Windows 11 Surface did not print to one printer, and I found an Office update was waiting for installation, so it did not install automatically.

Anyway, I did an Office repair, and installed the update. Here is what I have:

complete Office version and build: Microsoft® Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2609 Build 20430.20118)

The update channel: Current Channel
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Xavier-D 13,750 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-06T07:30:34.87+00:00
Hi Mark_in_VA

Thank you for the update. Version** 2609 Build **20430.20118 is a valid Current Channel build, so the earlier build/channel inconsistency is no longer present after the repair and update.

Since the Online Repair has now been completed, please monitor what happens when the next Office update is released. If Office again detects an update but does not download or install it automatically, the issue has persisted despite the scheduled task, Click-to-Run service, and Office repair working correctly.

At that point, I recommend contacting Microsoft Support so they can examine the Click-to-Run update logs and configuration on the device. Here is how to contact support:

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, are not allowed to directly interfere with Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. Our role is limited solely to providing technical guidance on reported incidents, requests, or ideas.

Open a website link - Contact - Microsoft Support

In the box below "We're here to help", type Microsoft 365, click "Get Help", and then click "Contact Support" below.

In this section, you will need to sign in to your Microsoft account.

Select "Microsoft 365 and Office" under Products & Services, select "Technical Support" as the category, and click to confirm

You can select " Chat with a support agent in your web browser " to access the chat window.

Regarding printing, I would avoid concluding that the pending Office update is causing the printer failure. The two events may be related, but the current information does not confirm that. If printing fails again, please check whether:

The issue affects only that printer or every printer.

Printing works from non-Office applications such as Notepad or Microsoft Edge.

Restarting the Print Spooler or the printer restores printing.

The Surface app reports any pending driver or firmware updates.

It's recommended that checking Surface driver and firmware status through the Surface** app > Help & **support or Windows Update.

If only one printer is affected while other printers and applications continue working, the printer driver or Windows printing system should be investigated separately from Office updates.