Windows update failed to install

Recently Microsoft has released Windows update KB5021233 for devices running the latest Windows 10 version 22H2. Installing KB5021233 bumps OS to Windows 10 Build 19045.2364 that focuses on security and non-security fixes. But several windows users report windows 10 update KB5021233 fail to install with different errors 0x800f0922, 0x8000ffff, 0x800f0826.

1 Windows update failed to install2 Why does Windows update fail to install?3 How to fix windows update problems?3.1 Check internet connection3.2 Free up some disk space3.3 Try to install the windows update again3.4 Start windows Clean boot State3.5 Try Windows Update Troubleshooter3.6 Reset Windows Update3.7 Switch google DNS3.8 Repair Corrupted Windows System Files3.9 Update Windows 10 Offline

Many users describe the problem on Microsoft’s forum

Why does Windows update fail to install?

There are many possible things that can cause Windows Update to fail over and over. Slow internet, lack of disk space, corruption on system files, update service not started or security software or VPN are some common. Free up some disk space on the system drive, disabling the firewall or antivirus, running the windows update troubleshooter or resetting windows update components helps fix most of the windows update problems on windows 10.

How to fix windows update problems?

The first thing we recommend is reboot your PC, check for and try to install the windows update again. When you reboot your PC, not only refresh the operating system but also clear temporary glitches present there that prevent windows updates download or apply. Open the command prompt as administrator and run this command SC config trustedinstaller start=auto Now try to install the windows update again.

Check internet connection

The next thing you need to check your internet connection. Yes, make sure you have a stable internet connection to download windows update files from the Microsoft server.

You can check your internet speed at fast.com or speedtest.net.Press Windows key + R, type ping google.com -t, and click ok to check if continuously getting ping replay from the Google server.

If ping replay breaks you need to troubleshoot the internet connection before download or installing windows updates. In addition, disconnect the VPN if configured on your device and temporarily disable security software before trying to install windows updates.

Free up some disk space

Next, you need to check and make sure you have enough free space on the system drive to download and apply the latest windows updates. It’s important especially if you have SSD drive installed.

Press the windows key + E to open files explorer then click on This PC,Look at the system drive (usually C) minimum 10 GB of free space there. If not you need to free up some disk space.

To Free up disk space on your system drive, you can move some download files to an external drive.You can also reclaim a lot of storage by uninstalling apps and Games you rarely use.In addition run Disk clean up or read how to delete temporary files automatically on windows 10. 

Pro tip – Disconnect nonessential devices such as USB flash drives or external HDDs, headphones or printers before checking for windows updates.

Try to install the windows update again

As per Microsoft experts, the most common cause of windows Update failed messages is that there are two updates waiting. If one is a servicing stack update, it has to install first, and the machine has to restart before it can install the next update. Restart windows and try running Windows Update again, yes this is very effective for most users.

Press the Windows key + X and select settings,Click on Update & security the hit check for updates button,Also, make sure to click on the download and install link under optional updates (If available)This will start the download and install windows  updates from the Microsoft server,You only need to restart your PC to apply windows updates.

Start windows Clean boot State

Clean booting your computer may also help. If any third-party software causes conflict to download & install windows updates. Here’s how to do this:

Go to the Startup tab > Open Task Manager > Disable all the unnecessary services running there. Restart your computer and check for updates.

Try Windows Update Troubleshooter

Run the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter that attempts to identify and fix any problems that exist which might prevent windows 10 from downloading and installing the latest Windows Updates. To run the update troubleshooter

Press Windows key + x and select settings,Go to Update & Security then Troubleshoot, Click on the additional troubleshooter link.

Locate Windows Update select it and then click on Run the troubleshooter.

The diagnosis process checks the status of Windows Update and its related Services, repair, and resets Windows Update components.In Addition, the troubleshooter clears the Windows Update related temporary files, checks for pending updates, and more.Once the troubleshooting completes restart your computer and checks for windows updates again.

Reset Windows Update

If the problem continues after running the troubleshooter, the windows update stuck download 100 or fail to install then reset windows update components following the steps below. If you are not comfortable with a command prompt then

net stop wuauservnet stop cryptSvcnet stop bitsnet stop msiserverRen C:\WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.oldnet start wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver

These commands will first Stop windows update service and its related services. Then rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to SoftwareDistribution.old (Where windows store update files, If any files in this folder get corrupted this may cause windows updates fails to install. ) After that restart the windows update and its related services.

Open the windows services console using services.mscStop windows update service and its related services (BITS)Now open file explorer using windows key + E and Go to the following location. C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DownloadNow delete everything in the folder, but do not delete the folder itself.To do so, press CTRL + A to select everything and then press Delete to remove the files.

Or rename the Software Distribution folder (C:\Windows) After that restart the services you previously stopped. and check for windows updates again.

Switch google DNS

If you notice Windows updates won’t download or are stuck downloading updates then change your DNS address following the steps below. Several users recommended this as a working solution when windows updates are stuck downloading.

Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and click ok,This will open the network connections window,Locate your active network adapter, right-click and select properties,Double-click on Internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to open its properties,Select the radio button, use the following DNS server address then set preferred DNS server 8.8.8.8 and Alternate DNS server 8.8.4.4.Checkmark on validate settings upon exit, click ok, apply and ok

Now try to install windows updates again and check its status.

Repair Corrupted Windows System Files

Corrupted system files might prevent new windows updates to apply and result windows updates fail or stuck install. Run DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and sfc (System file checker) utility helps detect and repair missing system files automatically.

Open the command prompt as administrator,First, run DISM command DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /RestorehealthOnce the command is executed run sfc /scannow commandBoth commands check system image health, and check for corruption in system files if found it will restore them with the correct one.Let the scanning process complete 100%, Once done restart your PC and try to install the windows update again.

Update Windows 10 Offline

Also, you can resolve windows update installation problems by manually installing the latest Windows 10 updates.

Visit the Windows 10 update history webpage where you can notice the logs of all the previous Windows updates that have been released.For the most recently released update, note down the KB number.Now use the Windows Update Catalog Website to search for the update specified by the KB number you noted down. (for example KB5021233) Download the update depending on if your machine is 32-bit = x86 or 64-bit=x64.Open the downloaded file in order to install the update.

That’s all after installing the updates simply restart the computer to apply the changes. Also If you are getting Windows Update stuck while upgrading the process simply use the official media creation tool to upgrade to Windows 10 version 22H2 without any error or problem. Did these solutions help to fix “Windows 10 update error 0x800f0900“? Let us know in the comments below. Also, read

Windows 11 upgrade or installation failed? 9 Things to TrySolved: Windows 10 black screen with cursor after sleepSolved: An operating system wasn’t found on Windows 10/8.1/7Solved: Windows 10 start menu search not working after updateWindows 11 Photos App not opening or Not working? Try these solutions Windows 10 update KB5021233 fail to install or Won t Install  Solved  - 67