How to successfully install Windows 10 Mobile build 14951 (workaround)

Microsoft recently began the rollout of Windows 10 build 14951 to the Fast ring. The new release includes some subtle improvements and fixes, and a few features for both PC and Mobile.

Although users quickly began updating their PCs to the latest version without a glitch, users running Windows 10 Mobile on their phones have been reporting getting stuck at zero percent while trying to download build 14951 on their handsets. Thankfully, there's a few workarounds.

Microsoft quickly acknowledged the issue and now has already narrowed down the problem to an issue that is only affecting phones which have been previously updated to Windows 10 Mobile 14946. The company says that is currently making the necessary changes to properly publish build 14951, and the same changes will be part of future flights to prevent users hitting this issue again.

In the meantime, the company is now offering a few workarounds to help Insiders successfully install Windows 10 Mobile build 14951 on their devices.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the four available paths to download and install the latest test Windows 10 Redstone 2 update on your mobile device.

How to install Windows 10 Mobile build 14951

Currently, there are four different ways to try and download the latest Insider preview build on your phone.

Fastest: Force the update session to time out

  1. Plug your device into a charger.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Tap on Update & Security.
  4. Tap on Windows Insider Program.
  5. Change your device to "Slow" and then back to "Fast".
  6. Go to Network & wireless.
  7. Tap on Airplane Mode, and turn on airplane mode.
  8. Go to Time & Language.
  9. Tap on Date & Time.
  10. If On, turn Set date and time automatically to the Off position.
  11. Change the date on the device to 7 days in the future.
  12. Return to the home screen.
  13. Reboot your phone.
  14. After the reboot, open Settings.
  15. Tap on Network & wireless.
  16. Tap on Airplane Mode.
  17. Turn off airplane mode.
  18. Go to Update & Security.
  19. Tap on Phone update.
  20. Tap the Check for updates button. As expected this process will fail with an error code.
  21. Go to Time & Language.
  22. Tap on Date & Time.
  23. Change the device date back to the current date.
  24. Go to Update & Security.
  25. Tap on Phone update.
  26. Tap the Check for updates button. This check may fail again, but it's expected.
  27. Return to the home screen.
  28. Reboot your phone.
  29. Open Settings.
  30. Tap on Update & security.
  31. Tap on Phone update.
  32. Tap the Check for updates button and now Windows 10 Mobile build 14951 should begin to download.

Microsoft also notes that users may run into an error code 80242006 after this last update check, and to fix the error users need to use additional steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on Update & Security.
  3. Tap on Windows Insider Program.
  4. Change your device to "Slow".
  5. Go to Phone update.
  6. Tap the Check for updates button and wait until you get the message that your device is up to date.
  7. Go back to Windows Insiders Program.
  8. Change back to the Fast ring.
  9. Go to Phone update.
  10. Tap the Check for updates button, and your phone should now update.

Easiest: Wait

If your phone is already stuck at 0% trying to download build 14951, it will timeout after five days. After the update times out, your phone will get updated metadata, which will allow the device to download Windows 10 Mobile build 14951.

Medium: Reset to factory and update

You can always reset your device currently running Windows 10 Mobile build 14946 to factory default settings.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on System.
  3. Tap on About.
  4. Tap the Reset you phone button.

Once the reset is completed, you should now be able to download build 14951 without getting stuck at 0 percent.

Hard: Less optimal

In the case you already rolled back to a previous build, including Windows 10 version 1511 or Windows 10 Anniversary Update using the Windows Device Recovery Tool, you can easily download and install build 14951 without running into issues.

Wrapping things up

Although Microsoft has isolated the issue, keep in mind that these instructions are still being validated. However, if your device is stuck at 0% downloading the update, and you can't wait until the timeout expires or the company releases the next build, you can use these options to install the latest flight on your phone.

Finally, remember that some of this options will wipe out your phone, and as always, it's recommended to make a backup your data before proceeding.

Did, any of these options, work to install Windows 10 Mobile build 14951 on your device? Tell us in the comments below.

More Windows 10 resources

For more help articles, coverage, and answers on Windows 10, you can visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.