How to fix Windows Update error 0x800f0900

What is Windows Update error 0x800f0900

With the installation of Cumulative Update (both KB4493437 and KB4499167) for Windows 10 Version 1803 x64-based Systems, some users were forced to witness the error code named 0x800f0900 after failing to install the pending update. Usually, such updates are meant to fix previously existing bugs or errors, however, there are many cases when fresh patches bring new problems instead of solving the old ones. In most cases, users struggle to get rid of the issue for such reasons: missing or corrupted files, malfunctioned services, configuration issues, and other problems prompting the error. To solve it, we have prepared a list of instructions approved in rectifying the 0x800f0900 issue effectively.

1. Use Windows Update Troubleshooter

Whenever you face off update-related issues, a great tool ready to help is Windows Troubleshooter, a special utility already in-built to your system. This is the first method to try before moving to more advanced solutions. In order to launch the utility, here are the simple steps to do it.

1. Open settings as we did above and navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. On the right pane, locate Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter.
3. Finish the process following the on-screen instructions and restart your PC.

2. Run a System File Checker (SFC) scan

As we mentioned in the description of the error, some update problems can pop due to missing or damaged files. Usually, these files are essential system components ensuring the proper connection between different processes. If some of these files fall out of the list, more likely it will raise up the error. Below, we are going to use System File Checker (SFC), which will detect and restore absent components. Here is how:

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching box next to the Start Menu button.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Once the console is opened, type the sfc /scannow command and click Enter.
4. When the fixing process is done, restart your computer.
5. After you finish this step, try to install the update again. If the error still reminds about itself, continue reading this guide to try other options below.

3. Run DISM

Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is similar to running an SFC scan. However, it uses different algorithms to find the problem and fix corrupted data that SFC could miss. Therefore, let’s try to run it using Command Prompt as we did already.

1. Open Command Prompt as we did in the previous step.
2. Copy and paste this command DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth.
3. Click Enter and wait until Windows ends the scanning and fixing.
4. Once done, restart your PC and install the update again.

4. Clear up Windows components

The 0x800f0900 issue may appear due to overloaded libraries. It is possible that they may become junked with unnecessary components over the usage. As a result, this has the potential to lead to unstable behavior of different services. Below, we show how to clear them out via Task Manager and DISM.

By using Task Manager

1. Press Windows + R combination to open run prompt, then paste taskschd.msc and click OK.
2. On the left pane, navigate to Library > Microsoft > Windows > Servicing.
3. Once done, right-click on StartComponentCleanup and choose Run.
4. Wait till the process is finished, restart your computer, and try to install the conflicting update once again.

By using DISM

This method does exactly the same as above, so you can choose any of them.

1. Open Command Prompt as we already did before.
2. Now paste this command: dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup and hit Enter.
3. Once completed, restart your PC and check if the error persists.

5. Restart Windows components and Update service

If none of the previous methods worked out, you can try using this one. It will help us reset and restart Windows Update settings. The whole process consists of restarting BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update services as well as renaming some update folders (SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2). These folders contain special signatures for Windows Updates. Based on this, we will force Windows to delete corrupted elements and create update components from scratch. For this, we are going to use the console to run the necessary commands. This method is quite advanced, but can easily be handled using the steps listed below:

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching box next to the Start Menu button.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Copy-paste this list of commands one by one clicking Enter after each. (This action will disable services responsible for Windows Updates)

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver

4. Then, type this command and hit Enter.

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"

5. After this, we have to rename the above-mentioned folders. Simply paste these commands by clicking Enter after each.

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

6. Now copy-paste these two commands to reset BITS and Windows Update service to the default security descriptor. Click Enter after each.

sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)

7. Next, type this command and click Enter.

cd /d %windir%\system32

8. The penultimate and very important step is to reregister BITS and Windows Update files. Simply type this long list of commands hitting Enter after each.

regsvr32.exe atl.dll
regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
regsvr32.exe wups.dll
regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll

9. Reset Winsock by using this command.

netsh winsock reset

Finally, all left to do is to turn the disabled services back. So apply these commands likewise previously.

net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

6. Turn off/delete third-party software

Third-party software like antivirus has a tendency to cause malfunctions in some services. It can both suspect and mistake suspicious processes happening in your system. For some reason, even Windows services may be blacklisted and restricted by anti-malware software. Because we do not know whether it is a case or not, try to disable a non-native antivirus if you have it installed. Besides antivirus being a culprit for such errors, unwanted or malicious programs can cause the same effect as well. If you remember installing a new piece recently, try to delete it and see the difference. Maybe it will resolve the issue.

7. Clean up unnecessary system files

Some users reported that running a cleanup of system files can resolve the issue. This means that you will have to delete recovery copies and cached files stored by your PC. It may be quite risky, as there will be no way to roll back to the previous version backed up on your system. Despite this, some users say it helped immensely in dealing with the update issue.

1. Open This PC.
2. Right-click on your main disk and choose Properties.
3. Find and click on Disk Cleanup.
4. Then select Clean up system files, check all the boxes, and click OK.
5. Once done, restart your PC and try to install the update again.

Hopefully, this method helped you tackle the 0x800704c7 code. If not, and it still puts up a headache on regular usage, proceed to the last 2 methods of this article.

8. Try to download a conflicting update from Microsoft Catalog

If there is a problem receiving a KB update from the server, you can try to install it manually. Before doing so, we will have to note which update you need to install. For this:

1. Press Windows + I keys at the same time.
2. Then navigate to Update & Security.
3. On the right side of the window, choose View update history.
4. After this, find and note the most recent KB update (on top of the list).
5. Once done, search and download the noted update in the Microsoft Update Catalog.

9. Use Media Creation Tool

Another option to install conflicting updates is via Media Creation Tool. It allows users to upgrade the system to the latest version available. Don’t worry, this procedure will not touch your personal data but simply update the PC. In order to do it, follow the steps outlined below:

1. First, you have to download the utility from the Microsoft website.
2. Then, execute the downloaded file.
3. After agreeing with the Terms of use, there will be two options to choose from. Select Upgrade this PC now.
4. Choose Keep Personal Files to ensure they will be untouched.
5. Finally, launch the process and wait until it ends.

Summary

Whilst receiving update-related issues is not the fault of users in most cases, at the end of the day they are the ones to search for the solutions. It is great that we have many web resources united to test and deliver effective solutions. We hope that our guide has helped you dissolve the 0x800f0900 problem eventually. You can also rely on other articles published on our website if there is anything else causing the problem.