Although this problem is most commonly caused by a local inconsistency affecting the WU component, there are several scenarios where the problem can actually be traced back to some kind of system file corruption affecting Windows Updates or an associated system dependency. If you’re just starting to troubleshoot this issue, start by leveraging the built-in repair tools to see if you can fix the issue – Windows Update Troubleshooter, SFC (System File Checker), DISM (Deployment Image Servicing & Management). However, this problem can also be related to some kind of 3rd party interference. As you’ll find out below, there’s a sizable list of 3rd party programs that are confirmed to interfere with the WU component in different capacities. Another possibility is corrupted temporary data affecting a WU component or dependency – In this case, resetting the WU component or refreshing every Windows file are two reliable ways of fixing the 0x800f080A error. Below you’ll find a collection of confirmed methods that other affected users have successfully used to troubleshoot this issue.
1. Restart & Reinitiate the installation
Before you start following any of the other potential fixes featured in this article, the first thing you should do is reboot your system and retry the installation of the failing update after the next startup. A lot of affected users that started to experience this issue immediately after a feature or cumulative update failed to install have confirmed that the installation was completed successfully after the restart. Note: There’s no official confirmation on why this is effective, but the Windows community suspects that certain WU updates need to be installed right after a successful boot when there aren’t any potentially conflicting 3rd party services that could influence the installation. If you haven’t tried this already, initiate a system restart and re-try the installation of the failing update as soon as the next startup is complete.
2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
If you’re getting the 0x800f080a problem because of a typical WU discrepancy, running the Windows Update Troubleshooter and implementing the recommended fixing method should help. Most of the time, you don’t even have to do anything since most of the recommended fixes will be automated and require minimal intervention from your side. Note: The Windows Update Troubleshooter includes a set of automatic repair options that may be used to remedy the most common causes of a failing Windows update. If Windows Update Troubleshooter is able to pinpoint the source of the problem, follow the on-screen instructions to implement the recommended remedy. Follow these steps to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter and apply the recommended fix:
3. Install KB5000808 update manually
If you’re looking for a quick fix that will allow you to install the failing update without necessarily finding & fixing the root cause of the issue, utilizing the Windows Update Catalog is the easiest and quickest way of circumventing the 0x800f080a error. Important: Going this route will not address the root cause of this issue. Even if you are able to overcome the error and apply the faulty update, this will not fix the underlying source of the problem. Even if you manage to ‘sideload’ the failing update via the Windows Update Catalog, there’s a chance the problem will return with the next pending update from Microsoft. Our recommendation is to continue troubleshooting with the other ways below even if this method allows you to install the failing update. Update: A lot of users have confirmed that they used this method successfully to install the KB5000808 update after the conventional way of installing the WU update failed. To get around the 0x800f080a problem by utilizing Windows Update Catalog, follow the instructions below:
4. Perform SFC and DISM scans
The 0x800f080a Windows Update issue might potentially be caused by system file corruption affecting a system file. Fortunately, Windows has a set of tools (SFC & DISM) that allow you to identify common system file corruption and repair the great majority of them without any required intervention on your part. You may run both of these programs from an elevated Command Prompt window in fast succession to solve the underlying reasons for the 0x800f080a Windows Update error. Here’s a simple step-by-step approach to conducting System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing & Management scans:
5. Uninstall potential conflicting programs (if applicable)
Even though Windows Update is supposed to be an isolated OS component that can’t be affected by a 3rd party process or startup items, there are a lot of confirmed cases where 3rd party applications are actually responsible for the 0x800f080a error. Typically, security programs or system management programs are responsible for interfering with the installation of pending Windows updates. Here’s a short list of programs that other users have confirmed to cause this issue:
CCleanerTune Up UtilitiesWin OptimizerAdvanced System CareArgente UtilitiesSystem MechanicSimplitecReImagerAVG TuneUpGlary UtilitiesDaemon ToolsSpeccy
If you’re currently using any of the programs listed above, follow the instructions below to temporarily uninstall them and see if the failing update now installs without the 0x800f080a error:
6. Refresh every Windows Component
Another reason why you might experience this problem is an inconsistency related to Windows Update or an associated dependency. Before you move down to other methods that will produce ever-lasting effects on your system, a quick and effective way to make sure that no temporary WU files are causing the 0x800f080a error is to refresh every Windows Update component & download folder with a series of terminal commands (performed from an elevated CMD prompt). Note: Microsoft released several ‘bad’ updates in the past that ended up creating installation problems with certain builds. The problem with these bad updates is that even if Microsoft addressed the issue quickly, there’s a chance the ‘bad’ update installation files are already physically present in one of the two folders (catroot2 and SoftwareDistribution) that Windows Update is using to store temporary files. If you haven’t tried this yet, follow the instructions below to refresh every relevant WU component and clear the contents of the two Windows Update folders (Catroot2 & SoftwareDistribution):
7. Repair install or Clean install
If none of the solutions listed above were successful in resolving the 0x800f080a error while installing certain Windows Updates, you can assume that your problem is caused by an underlying system corruption issue that cannot be resolved without targeting the entire OS installation (with DISM and SFC scans). If you’ve come this far without a resolution, replacing every Windows file with a healthy equivalent is the only option left. This can be accomplished by either an in-place fix (repair install) or a clean install. A clean install is a simpler method, but the primary disadvantage is that you won’t be able to save your personal data (applications, games, personal media, etc.) unless you back them up first. If, on the other hand, you choose a repair install, the process is somewhat more time-consuming, but the key benefit is that you get to preserve all of your personal data, including apps, games, personal media, and even certain user settings.
