[Fix] Windows Updates Fail to Install with 0x800f081f Error Code

If you are getting 0x800f081f or similar error codes while trying to download and install updates in Windows and the update fails to install in your computer, this article will help you in fixing the issue and install the Windows update successfully.

Problem Symptom: Unable to Install New Updates in Windows

Many times when you try to install a particular update in your Windows device (Windows 7, 8, Windows 10 or Windows 11), the update fails to install and you receive 0x800f081f or other different error codes.

Recently I encountered this issue while trying to install a new update KB5026372 in one of my Windows 11 devices. KB5026372 is a new cumulative update for Windows 11 operating system. It was released on May 09, 2023 as a part of Patch Tuesday. It brings a new toggle control option “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” on Settings > Windows Update page to get the latest non-security updates, fixes and enhancements immediately as they roll out. We posted about it in our exclusive Important Security News and Updates article.

In my Windows 11 device, whenever I tried to download and install the new update, it always failed with an error code 0x800f081f as shown in following screenshot:

Sometimes Windows displayed different error codes such as 0x8024a206, 0x80070002, 0x8007054f when the update failed to download or install.

I tried to install the update numerous time but it failed to install each time with 0x800f081f or similar error messages.

Problem Reason: Corrupted or Missing System Files and Registry Keys

When some important system files or registry keys are corrupted or missing in Windows, the updates might fail to download and install. Windows requires these system files and registry keys to check and install new updates and if some files or keys are missing, Windows will throw these kind of error codes and messages and the update installation will fail.

System files and registry keys become corrupted when we install 3rd party software specially tweaking or customization tools. These 3rd party software programs modify many system files and registry keys to tweak and enhance Windows functionality. When Windows detects modified or missing system files and registry keys, it halts the new updates download and installation and displays error codes.

NOTE: I have also observed that installing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 using DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) command may also cause 0x800f081f error code while trying to install updates. If you also installed .NET Framework 3.5 offline using DISM method, there are high chances that you receive 0x800f081f or similar error codes while installing updates in your Windows device.

Solution 1: Uninstall Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, If Installed Previously

If you installed Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 offline in past using DISM command method, it might cause Windows updates failed installation issue. Many software require .NET Framework 3.5 to run and Windows 8 and later do not come with .NET Framework 3.5 preinstalled. So many Windows users install it offline using DISM command as mentioned here.

If you also installed .NET Framework 3.5 offline using DISM command previously, uninstall it and it should resolve the Windows update issue.

1. To uninstall Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, you’ll need to open “Turn Windows features on or off” window. You can direct open it using optionalfeatures.exe command in RUN dialog box or search box. Alternatively, you can open it from Control Panel -> Programs and Features.

2. Now at the top of “Turn Windows features on or off” window, you’ll see “.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)” option selected.

Uncheck or disable the option and click on OK button. Windows will take some time in applying the changes and will restart the device.

After restarting, try to download and install the Windows update again and now it should install without any problem or error code.

Solution 2: Try Microsoft Official Windows Update Troubleshooter

Microsoft also provides official troubleshooter tool to fix issues present in Windows Update program. The troubleshooter tool comes preinstalled with Windows 11 operating system. In older versions of Windows, users need to manually download and install the tool.

If you are using Windows 11, open Settings app by pressing WIN+I keys together, go to System -> Troubleshoot -> Other Troubleshooters page and click on “Run” button given next to Windows Update option.

In previous Windows versions such as Windows 10, you can download the same official Windows Update troubleshooter tool from Microsoft website. Following article contains the download link and more information about the troubleshooter tool:

[Tip] Use Windows Update Troubleshooter to Fix All Problems

Run the troubleshooter tool and it’ll automatically detect the issues and fix them.

Restart your computer and check for updates again. Now updates should install without issues.

Solution 3: Use Our Automatic Windows Update Reset Script

We also provide an automatic script to reset Windows Update cache to fix all kind of problems related to downloading and installing updates in Windows. This automatic script checks and restarts required Windows Update services and creates Windows Update system folders from scratch in Windows.

You just need to run the script and it’ll automatically perform all required steps.

You can download the reset script from following article:

Fix Windows Updates Problems and Issues Using Automatic Reset Script

After running the reset script, restart your computer and check for updates again using Windows Update. Now the new updates will install without any error code or issue.

Solution 4: Manually Download Windows Update Using Microsoft Catalog Website

Microsoft provides direct download of all Windows updates on its official Catalog website. You can manually download the update which is causing issues in your device from Microsoft Catalog website and install it directly.

First visit Microsoft Catalog website, then search for the update such as KB5026372 using the search box given on the website. You’ll get a page to download the update. Click on “Download” button and it’ll download the .MSU file on your device.

After downloading, run the .MSU file and it’ll install the update successfully in your device.

Solution 5: Use DISM Cleanup Image Command

You can also try to run following commands one by one in Command Prompt as Administrator or PowerShell:

These commands will take a few minutes to finish. After running the commands, restart your computer and it should fix the problem.

Solution 6: Use SFC /SCANNOW Command

You can also try the sfc /scannow command in Command Prompt to launch “System Files Checker” tool which will scan and restore all default system files. It may also fix Windows update related issues.

To learn how to use the command, check out METHOD 4 mentioned in following tutorial:

How to Remove or Uninstall 3rd Party Transformation Packs (or Skin Packs) in Windows

Solution 7: Run an In-Place Upgrade Installation of Windows

In-place upgrade reinstalls Windows with latest updates without removing any personal file or 3rd party software programs. It keeps all installed software, user documents and customized settings. It just upgrades Windows to the latest version and repairs corrupted or missing system files, settings and registry keys.

Following guide will help you in learning how to perform an in-place upgrade of Windows:

[Tip] How to Perform In-Place Upgrade of Windows without Formatting

After in-place upgrade, you’ll not face any error code or issue while trying to install new updates in your Windows device.

Solution 8: Use Reset This PC Feature to Restore Your PC to Factory Settings

If everything fails and you are still unable to install updates in your Windows device, it might be a major issue in your Windows installation and you may need to format and clean install Windows in your device. Don’t worry! You can try the “Reset This PC” feature present in Windows to restore your PC to factory settings.

Resetting the PC will uninstall and remove all 3rd party software programs and will reinstall Windows with clean settings and files. You can select the option to keep your personal files or documents while using Reset PC feature.

To use the tool, open Settings app (WIN+I) and search for Reset This PC.

Following articles contain details about Reset PC feature:

[Tip] What is Cloud Download Feature in Windows 10? How to Use it?

How to Perform Clean Installation of Windows 10 with Activation?

Also Check:

What is Windows 11 Configuration Update? How to Download and Install It?

How Many Types of Windows Updates are There? Microsoft Explains

Fixing Windows 10 Automatic Updates Installation Problem