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

 

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.cmd
    • 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.

 

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.cmd
    • 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.

 

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.

 

Error -1002, -1011: Internet Connection Issues

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

Bitdefender update errors: -1002

 

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:

 

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 s 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:
  4. Retry Updates:
    • Attempt to update Bitdefender again.

 

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:

 

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 s 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 under 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.
  5. Save and Exit:
    • Click OK on all open windows and restart your computer if prompted.
  6. Retry Bitdefender Updates:
    • Attempt to update Bitdefender again.

 

 

Error -2002, -2009: Server Synchronization in Progress

These errors occur because 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. Retry Updates:
    • Attempt to update Bitdefender again after waiting.
  3. Still Not Working?
    • If the error persists beyond 24 hours, contact Bitdefender Support.

 

Error Code -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:
  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.

 

Other Bitdefender Update Errors

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