Samsung Update Stuck at 0%: Why It Happens and How to Fix It

When your Samsung update gets stuck at 0%, it feels like you’re trapped in a tech limbo. You feel frustrated, so you tap the “Download” or “Install,” again but the progress bar refuses to budge, and your phone stays stuck. This can happen during system updates, security patches, or One UI upgrades. Fortunately, most causes are harmless and fixable without losing data.

This article breaks down why your Samsung update is stuck at 0% and walks through effective fixes that actually work.

Why Samsung Updates Sometimes Get Stuck at 0%

Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand the common reasons updates stall:

Updates fail to start when the system can’t reach the update servers, when storage is too full, when the network connection is unstable, or when background processes interfere. Sometimes a minor software glitch prevents the update service from initializing, causing the progress to stay at 0%.

Knowing the cause points you to the right solution without unnecessary resets.

Check Your Internet Connection (Yes, It Matters)

Most updates require a steady Wi-Fi connection. If your connection is weak or keeps switching, the update may never start.

Make sure you’re on a stable Wi-Fi network (not mobile data, unless the update supports it). You can also toggle Wi-Fi off and back on to refresh the connection. In many cases where a Samsung update is stuck at 0%, improving the network connection alone gets the download moving.

Restart Your Phone

Restarting your phone clears temporary files and refreshes system services, including the update manager. It’s the simplest fix and often the most effective.

If your update is stuck at 0%, a reboot forces the system to start the update process fresh. After your phone restarts, reopen Settings > Software update and try again.

Free Up Storage Space

Samsung updates need storage space to download and extract files. If your internal storage is nearly full, the update can sit at 0% forever.

Go to Settings > Battery and device care > Storage and check how much space you have left. If it’s low, delete unused apps, large videos, and old files. Once you free up enough space (at least a couple of gigabytes), the update should start progressing.

Clear System Cache (Not Your Data)

A corrupted system cache can interfere with update services. Clearing the cache partition refreshes core system files without deleting your data.

Power off your phone, then hold Volume Up + Power until recovery mode appears. Select Wipe cache partition, confirm, and reboot. This process often fixes stuck update issues, especially after repeated failed attempts.

Try Updating Over a Different Network

If your Wi-Fi network has restrictions or slow speeds, download can fail before it starts. Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network (a friend’s, public hotspot, or mobile hotspot) to see if the update begins.

In many cases where a Samsung update is stuck at 0%, simply switching networks makes the difference.

Reset Network Settings

If your phone connects to Wi-Fi properly but the update still doesn’t start, corrupted network settings might be the cause.

Go to Settings > General management > Reset > Reset network settings. This clears all Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data settings, forcing a fresh connection. After the reset, reconnect to Wi-Fi and try the update again.

Update via Smart Switch (Alternative Method)

If the update still refuses to start on the phone itself, you can update using Samsung Smart Switch on a computer. This bypasses on-device update issues and often works even when the phone’s updater is stuck.

Connect your phone to your PC, open Smart Switch, and follow the prompts to update, this is one of the most reliable alternatives when a Samsung update is stuck at 0%.

One Key Question Before the Conclusion

Does a Samsung update stuck at 0% mean your phone is broken?

Not at all. Stalled updates are almost always caused by network, storage, or software conflicts—not hardware failure. With the right steps, the update usually completes without needing repairs.

Conclusion

A Samsung update that’s stuck at 0% is annoying but not usually serious. Start with basic fixes like checking your internet connection, rebooting the phone, and freeing up storage space. If it still won’t budge, clear the system cache or reset network settings. As a final option, use Samsung Smart Switch on a computer.

With these steps, most stuck updates move forward and install successfully without data loss.