During an SCCM upgrade, you might encounter a failure in the prerequisite check due to a pending system restart error. In this article, I’ll explain the reasons behind this error and provide solutions to resolve it.

When you run a prerequisite check for a new current branch upgrade, Configuration Manager performs a series of checks to determine if the upgrade can be successful. Read this article for a detailed overview of the prerequisite checks involved in installing or updating Configuration Manager.

Fix SCCM Pending System Restart Error

The prerequisite check: pending system restart error occurs when another program requires the server to be restarted before the upgrade can happen. To resolve this issue, you must manually restart the server once.

Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC
Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC

In the below screenshot, we see that there is an error during the prerequisite check. The update pack installation status reveals that the system restart is pending.

Prerequisite Check - SCCM Pending System Restart Error
Prerequisite Check – SCCM Pending System Restart Error

There can be many reasons why a system restart could be pending. To see if the computer is in a pending restart state, it checks the following registry locations:

  • HKLM:Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\RebootPending
  • HKLM:SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update\RebootRequired
  • HKLM:SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager, PendingFileRenameOperations
  • HKLM:Software\Microsoft\ServerManager, CurrentRebootAttempts

If you see a pending system restart error, the update won’t install. Restart the server first, then launch the SCCM console. Post the restart, launch the SCCM console. Go to Monitoring > Overview > Updates and Servicing Status. Now right click Configuration Manager Update and select Retry Installation.

Fix SCCM Pending System Restart Error
Fix SCCM Pending System Restart Error

You will now see a dialog box “To install the update pack again, click OK“. Click OK to install the update pack. The update should now be installed without any issues.

Fix SCCM Pending System Restart Error
Fix SCCM Pending System Restart Error

Further Reading

Listed below are some common reasons why the upgrade prerequisite check fails and the solution to those errors and warnings.

  • The site database has a backlog of SQL change tracking data: Solution
  • SQL Server Native Client Version: Solution
  • SCCM Update Stuck at Downloading State: Solution
  • Enable site system roles for HTTPS or SCCM Enhanced HTTP: Solution
  • Recommended version of the Microsoft .NET Framework. Warning: The Configuration Manager 2503 update requires at least DotNet version 4.6.2 but recommends the latest version 4.8: Solution
  • ConfigMgr Database Upgrade Error 0x87d20b15: Solution
  • Co-Mgmt slider is not pointed to Intune: Solution
  • SQL client prerequisites are missing for Config Manager setup: Solution

Still Need Help?

If you need further assistance on the above article or want to discuss other technical issues, check out some of these options.

Prajwal Desai

Prajwal Desai is a technology expert and 10 time Dual Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) with a strong focus on Microsoft Intune, SCCM, Windows 365, Enterprise Mobility, and Windows. He is a renowned author, speaker, & community leader, known for sharing his expertise & knowledge through his blog, YouTube, conferences, webinars etc.