Quick Answer
The answer is to restart the device. The command output shows the Windows Update service is in a 'Stopped' state, which directly prevents the device from installing required updates and triggers the 'Not compliant' status in Intune. Restarting the device is the most direct fix because it restarts the service and triggers a fresh update scan, allowing the device to report compliance on the next Intune check-in. On the MD-102 exam, this scenario tests your ability to interpret command-line output and apply the simplest recovery step before escalating to service configuration or re-enrollment. A common trap is overthinking the solution—candidates often look for complex PowerShell commands when a simple reboot resolves the stopped service. Remember the memory tip: "Stop the stop with a restart"—if the Windows Update service is stopped, restarting the device is the fastest path to fix Windows Update service stopped for Intune compliance.
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage, maintain, and protect devices. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is troubleshooting a Windows 11 device that is enrolled in Intune. The device reports as 'Not compliant' due to missing required updates. The administrator runs the following command on the device and receives the output shown. What should the administrator do next to resolve the compliance issue?
Check for a policy conflict in Intune.
Why wrong: The issue is a pending restart, not a policy conflict.
Run a manual sync from the Company Portal app.
Why wrong: Sync will not complete the update installation; a restart is required.
Verify network connectivity to Microsoft Update.
Why wrong: Connectivity is not indicated as a problem.
Restart the device.
A pending restart is blocking the updates from completing.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Restart the device.
The command output indicates that the Windows Update service is in a 'Stopped' state, which prevents the device from installing required updates. Restarting the device (Option D) will restart the Windows Update service and trigger a fresh update scan, allowing the device to become compliant on the next Intune check-in. This is the most direct fix for a stopped service that is blocking update installation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Check for a policy conflict in Intune.
Why it's wrong here
The issue is a pending restart, not a policy conflict.
Run a manual sync from the Company Portal app.
Why it's wrong here
Sync will not complete the update installation; a restart is required.
Verify network connectivity to Microsoft Update.
Why it's wrong here
Connectivity is not indicated as a problem.
Restart the device.
Why this is correct
A pending restart is blocking the updates from completing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume a sync or connectivity check is needed, but the command output directly reveals a stopped service, making a restart the immediate and correct action.
Detailed technical explanation
The Windows Update service (wuauserv) is a critical system service that handles update detection, download, and installation. When this service is stopped, the Update Session Orchestrator (USO) cannot initiate update scans, and the device will fail compliance checks for missing updates. Restarting the device triggers a service restart and a subsequent update scan via the Windows Update Agent (WUA), which then reports the installed state to Intune during the next MDM policy evaluation cycle.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
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FAQ
Manage, maintain, and protect devices — This question tests Manage, maintain, and protect devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Restart the device. — The command output indicates that the Windows Update service is in a 'Stopped' state, which prevents the device from installing required updates. Restarting the device (Option D) will restart the Windows Update service and trigger a fresh update scan, allowing the device to become compliant on the next Intune check-in. This is the most direct fix for a stopped service that is blocking update installation.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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