Microsoft’s newest operating system, Windows 11, offers a number of features and improvements over its predecessors. Although it is not without its quirks and issues, it is nonetheless a somewhat reliable piece of software.
There are some users who experience problems with the “GP Update Force” command not working as intended. Group Policy (GP) is essential for managing user and computer accounts and their working environments.
Especially in a corporate environment, the failure of “gpupdate /force” can disrupt the smooth operation of the system. So, let’s check out the method that will help you fix the GP Update force not working issue on your Windows 11 PC.
What is Group Policy and GPUpdate Force?
- Group Policy lets Active Directory administrators manage user and computer configurations in an Active Directory environment. It manages the user experience, enforces security settings, and installs software across networks.
- gpupdate /force updates Group Policy settings immediately using command-line arguments. The gpupdate /force command forces an immediate update, ensuring that any changes made to Group Policy are applied immediately. Normally, Group Policy updates are performed at regular intervals or at startup/login, but with this command, changes are applied right away.
Common Reasons for GPUpdate Force Not Working
In some cases, the “gpupdate /force” command may not work correctly. To troubleshoot, it is helpful to understand these reasons:
- Network Connectivity Issues: When the computer is unable to access the domain controller, it won’t be able to get the most recent Group Policy settings.
- Permissions Issues: Group Policies can be prevented from updating due to insufficient permissions.
- Corrupted Group Policy: Group Policy objects (GPOs) can become corrupted from time to time.
- Service Issues: Group Policy-related services might stop working or not function properly.
- DNS Issues: Configuring the DNS correctly is crucial to locating domain controllers and deploying group policies.
- Software Conflicts: It is possible for third-party software to interfere with Group Policy update operations.
Fix GPUpdate Force Not Working Issue on Windows 11
To resolve the problem, let’s walk through the troubleshooting steps.
Fix 1: Check Network Connectivity
To begin, you must ensure that your device can communicate with the domain controller and has a stable network connection.
- Ping the Domain Controller: To check connectivity, open Command Prompt, and type ping [domain controller IP address or hostname].
- Check Network Cables and Wi-Fi: Make sure that network cables are securely connected, and make sure that Wi-Fi is strongly signaled.
Fix 2: Verify User Permissions
If you want to update the Group Policy, you must have the appropriate permissions.
- Administrative Privileges: Make sure you are logged into the computer with an account that has administrative privileges.
- Check Group Membership: Make sure the domain administrator and local administrator groups are the correct ones for your user account.
Fix 3: Perform DISM and SFC Scan
You should run the SFC and DISM scans on your computer, as this issue might be caused by corrupt or missing system files.
By using this method, you will be able to resolve the problem of GPUpdate Force not working by repairing the system. To perform the scans, follow these steps:
- To open the Windows Search, press Windows + S.
- Thereafter, in the search box, type cmd and click Run as administrator.
- When the Command Prompt opens, type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each. sfc /scannow
- Please make sure you have an internet connection when you run the following command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- To find out if the solution worked, close the Command Prompt and run the gpupdate/force command.
Fix 4: Restart Group Policy Service
If your PC’s Group Policy service malfunctions, the gpupdate force command may not function. To see if the problem is resolved, you should restart the service.
- To open services.msc, press Windows + R, and type services.msc.
- Right-click Group Policy Client in the Windows Services window.
- Thereafter, from the drop-down menu that appears, select Properties.
- Afterward, on the General tab, select Automatic as the Startup type.
- On the same dialog box, tap Start, then Apply and OK.
Fix 5: Reset Group Policy
If this issue persists, you can also reset your computer to a Group Policy.
- Type cmd into Windows Search.
- Select Run as administrator.
- In the next step, type the commands below one after the other and press Enter after each command.
RD /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers" && RD /S /Q
"%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy"
gpupdate /force
- Restart your computer to see if it works.
Fix 6: Update Windows
It’s often possible to resolve a variety of issues by updating Windows, including issues with Group Policy updates.
You can ensure that you have the latest fixes and improvements by updating your Windows 11 device as follows:
- Check for updates: Open Settings > Windows Update and install any available updates.
Fix 7: Check Event Viewer Logs
It is possible to identify Group Policy updates-related issues by checking the Event Viewer logs.
In addition to errors and warnings regarding Group Policy, the Event Viewer also provides detailed logs of system events.
- To open the Event Viewer, press Windows + X. Click on Windows Logs > System.
- In this section, look for errors related to Group Policy.
Fix 8: Delete & Recreate the missing registry.pol file
There is a registry.pol file that contains all Group Policy settings. This file must exist for any changes to be pushed to the client.
Without it, none of the changes will appear on the client. It’s a good thing you can recreate it. It is still a good idea to delete the file, even if it already exists.
- Go to C:/Windows/System32/GroupPolicy/Machine.
- Look for the registry.pol file. You can delete it permanently by pressing Shift + Delete.
- For the purpose of creating it again, run the following command to refresh Group Policy settings: gpupdate /force
Fix 9: Rename the Group Policy Machine Folder
Group Policy updates can be fixed by renaming the Group Policy Machine folder, especially if the content of the folder has become corrupted.
The process involves forcing Windows to recreate the folder with the default settings, which can resolve a number of issues. To do this, follow these steps:
- Initially, to open File Explorer on your computer, press Windows + E.
- To locate the disk where the operating system is saved, select This PC.
- Next, click Windows > System32 > GroupPolicy.
- You can now right-click the Machine folder and select Rename from the menu.
- Make sure you save the folder with the name Machine.old.
If the command doesn’t work, you can restart your computer and try again.
So, that’s all we have for you regarding how to fix it if the GP update force is not working on your Windows 11 PC.
Thank you for reading this guide. We hope it was helpful to you. Let me know if you need more information in the comments.
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