The error usually happens when you’re trying to update Windows or any Windows drivers using Windows Update. The updates won’t be downloaded and installed, and it may happen that you get this error no matter how many times you try. Microsoft has acknowledged this error, and it should be fixed in an update for Windows, but until that happens, there are a few things that you can try to help fix it and update Windows and the drivers.
Method 1: Use an Elevated Command Prompt
This error can sometimes be solved by manually starting the Windows Installer service. The steps to do that are as follows:
Method 2: Restart the Windows Update service
Stopping the Windows Update service, deleting the temporary update files, and restarting the service can also help. You will delete any temporary files that might be the culprit of this issue, and therefore Windows Update will be able to proceed without any problems. Note that you will need to be logged on as an administrator to be able to perform the steps. Given that this is a known error to Microsoft, you would be right if you’re expecting them to fix it. However, as there is no time frame in which the error will be fixed, if you’re one of the many frustrated users who are experiencing the issue, use the aforementioned methods to get rid of it.
Method 3: Clean the SoftwareDistribution folder
The aforementioned SoftwareDistribution folder contains a number of files that are unfortunately fairly easy to corrupt. If they get corrupted, you will get a huge number of errors with Windows. However, deleting certain folders in the SoftwareDistribution folder will fix these issues.
Method 4: Running SFC and DISM commands
If the error still persists, then you can run System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), which are Windows built-in tools to check your Windows Operating System files to see if there are any missing or corrupted files. If any missing or corrupted files are found, then it will fix them. Keep in mind that this process will take time.
Method 5: Update manually from Microsoft’s website
There are some situations where Windows Update simply refuses to work even though you’ve tried the methods above, and in those situations, you can always try to manually update your OS using Microsoft’s website. This site always has the latest updates, and if you install them right away, you will have the latest features and bug fixes that Microsoft offered.
