Fix Bitdefender Update Errors -1002, -1004, -1011 and others on Windows

Here you will find troubleshooting steps for common Bitdefender update errors on Windows.

Important!

1. Check update error frequency: Open Bitdefender, click “Notifications” on the left-side menu, and select “All” tab. If you see occasional update error notifications followed by successful updates, no action is required — Bitdefender is up to date.
2. If no successful updates in 24 hours: Use the table of contents below to quickly jump to the solution for your specific update error.

 

Table of Contents

• Update error 3
• Update error 19
• Update error 21
• Update error -100
• Update error -1002
• Update error -1004
• Update error -1011
• Update error -1022
• Update error 1455
• Update error -2002
• Update error -2009
• Update error -2021
• Other update errors

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Error 3: Hard-Drive Error

This error means that a hard-drive issue is preventing Bitdefender from updating.

 

How to Fix It:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Click the Start button (Windows logo in the bottom-left corner).
   • Type cmd in the search bar.
   • Right-click Command Prompt from the search results and choose Run as Administrator.
   • Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
2. Run Disk Check:
   • In the black Command Prompt window, type the following command exactly:
     chkdsk c: /r

     (Make sure there is a space between “chkdsk” and “c:”, and another space before “/r”.)

   • Press Enter on your keyboard.
   • Type Y when prompted, to allow the disk check to run the next time your computer restarts.
3. Restart Your PC:
   • Save any open work and restart your computer. During the restart, Windows will scan and fix your hard drive.
4. Retry Bitdefender Updates:
   • Once your computer restarts, try to update Bitdefender again.

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Error 19, 21: System-Level Issues

• Error 19: This means the media is write-protected, preventing changes.
• Error 21: This means the device is not ready.

 

How to Fix It:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Click the Start button (Windows logo in the bottom-left corner).
   • Type cmd in the search bar.
   • Right-click Command Prompt from the search results and choose Run as Administrator.
   • Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
2. Run Disk Check:
   • In the black Command Prompt window, type the following command exactly:
     chkdsk c: /r

     (Make sure there is a space between “chkdsk” and “c:”, and another space before “/r”.)

   • Press Enter on your keyboard, type Y when prompted, and restart your computer.
3. Run System File Checker:
   • Open Command Prompt as Administrator again.
   • Type:
     sfc /scannow

   • Press Enter and wait for the process to complete. It may take several minutes.
4. Run DISM Tool (Windows 8/10/11 only):
   • In Command Prompt, type:
     DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

   • Press Enter and wait for the process to finish.
5. Restart Your PC and Retry Updates:
   • Restart your computer and attempt to update Bitdefender again.

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Error -100: Isolated Error

This is a rare and temporary update error that often resolves itself.

 

How to Fix It:

1. Check the Update History:
   • Open Bitdefender and go to Notifications on the left-side menu, and select All tab.
   • If you see successful updates after the error -100, no action is needed. If not, proceed to step 2.
2. Restart Your PC and Retry Updates:
   • Restart your computer and attempt to update Bitdefender again.

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Error -1002, -1011: Internet Connection Issues

These errors occur when your internet connection is unstable or temporarily unavailable.

 

How to Fix It:

1. Check Your Internet Connection:
   • Make sure your Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable is connected and working.
   • Open a browser and visit a website to confirm internet access.
2. Restart Your Router:
   • Turn off your router, unplug it, and wait 30 seconds.
   • Plug it back in, turn it on, and wait for the connection to stabilize.
3. Restart Your Computer:
   • Save your work and restart your PC.
4. Retry Updates:
   • Retry to update Bitdefender once your internet connection is stable.
5. Update Bitdefender Offline:
   • Still can’t update? Update Bitdefender offline if connectivity issues persist.

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Error -1004: Proxy Connection Issue

This error occurs if Bitdefender isn’t properly set up to use a proxy connection.

 

How to Fix It:

1. Check if You Use a Proxy:
   • Press Win + R on your keyboard, type inetcpl.cpl and press Enter. This opens the Internet Properties window.
   • Go to the Connections tab, then click the LAN settings button.
   • In the Local Area Network (LAN) Settings window:
     • If “Use a proxy server for your LAN” is checked and there’s an address and port listed, you’re using a proxy.
     • If unchecked, you’re not using a proxy server.
2. If You Use a Proxy:
   • Open Bitdefender.
   • Click Settings > Advanced.
   • Turn on Proxy server.
     • Bitdefender will automatically import your proxy settings from the default browser.
   • If manual settings are needed:
     • Click Proxy change and select Custom proxy settings.
     • Enter your proxy details.
3. If You Don’t Use a Proxy:
   • Open Bitdefender.
   • Go to Settings > Advanced.
   • Make sure Proxy server is turned off.
   • If the update error -1004 continues to occur, remove any proxy settings in your browser.
4. Retry Updates:
   • Attempt to update Bitdefender again.

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Error -1022: Server Response Issue

This error occurs if your internet settings are preventing Bitdefender from connecting to its update servers.

 

How to Fix It:

1. Restart Your Router:
   • Turn off your router, unplug it, and wait 30 seconds.
   • Plug it back in, turn it on, and wait for the connection to stabilize.
2. Restart Your Computer:
   • Save your work and restart your PC.
3. Retry Updates:
   • Attempt to update Bitdefender again.
4. Change DNS Settings:
   • If the update error -1022 continues to occur, change your DNS server on Windows.

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Error 1455: Low Virtual Memory

This error means your computer doesn’t have enough virtual memory to complete the operation.

 

How to Fix It:

1. Open System Properties:
   • Press Win + R on your keyboard, type sysdm.cpl and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Performance Settings:
   • Go to the Advanced tab, then click Settings under the “Performance” section.
3. Access Virtual Memory Settings:
   • In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab, then click Change in the “Virtual memory” section.
4. Enable Automatic Management of Virtual Memory:
   • Check the box Automatically manage paging file size for all drives at the top.
   • Click the OK button and restart your computer to apply changes.
5. Retry Bitdefender Updates:
   • Attempt to update Bitdefender again.

 

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Error -2002, -2009: Server Synchronization in Progress

These errors occur when Bitdefender’s update servers are synchronizing.

 

How to Fix It:

1. Wait for Server Synchronization to Finish:
   • These errors usually resolve themselves. Wait a few hours (2–4 hours) and try updating Bitdefender again.
2. Still Not Working?
   • If the error persists beyond 24 hours, contact Bitdefender Support.

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Error -2021: Missing Windows 7 Updates

This error occurs because Bitdefender requires specific Windows 7 updates that are missing on your system.

 

How to Fix It:

1. Check if you have a 32 or 64-bit Windows version:
   • Follow the steps in this guide to find out whether your system is 32-bit or 64-bit.
2. Download the Required Updates:
   • Download the missing updates for your system (32-bit or 64-bit) from the links below:
     • For 32-bit Windows: KB4490628 and KB4474419
     • For 64-bit Windows: KB4490628 and KB4474419
3. Install the Updates:
   • Double-click the downloaded files and follow the on-screen instructions to install them.
4. Restart Your Computer:
   • After installation, restart your PC.
5. Retry Bitdefender Updates:
   • Attempt to update Bitdefender again.

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Other Bitdefender Update Errors on Windows

If Bitdefender update encountered an error code not listed here, follow these troubleshooting steps.

 

How to Fix It:

1. Retry Updates Later:
   • Sometimes, update errors occur due to temporary server issues. Wait a few hours (2–4 hours) before trying to update Bitdefender again.
2. Restart Your PC:
   • Save your work and restart your computer. Then, check for Bitdefender updates.
3. Connect to Another Network:
   • Try connecting your computer to a different internet network (e.g., using your phone’s hotspot).
     • If updates succeed on the new network, there might be an issue with your original network.
       • Turn off any third-party firewall software running on your Windows computer or router.
       • Change DNS settings on Windows.
4. Reinstall Bitdefender:
   • If update errors persist, reinstall Bitdefender:
     • Open Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
     • Select Bitdefender and click Uninstall > Reinstall > Restart device
5. Contact Support:
   • If none of the above steps work, contact Bitdefender Support with the error code details.