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In this guide, you will find several effective methods to troubleshoot and resolve the error ‘0x800f0831’ in Windows Update.
Symptom: After downloading and attempting to install an update and usually near the end of the installation process (about 98-99%), Windows Update displays the error “There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep to seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x800f0831)“.
Cause: Windows Update error 0x800f0831, can be caused by various reasons, e.g. corrupt update files, corrupted system files, missing previous update packages required to install the update, etc.. To fix the issue, use one of the following methods.
How to Fix Windows Update error 0x800f0831 in Windows 11/10.
MPORTANT: Before applying the methods mentioned below to troubleshoot the installation error 0x800f0831 on Windows Update, do the following and try again to upgrade your system:
- Make sure you have more than 64 GB of free space on your C: drive before you install the update.
- Delete the useless files with Disk Cleanup. by using the instructions in this tutorial: How to Free Up Disk Space with Disk Cleanup.
- Disable -or better- temporarily uninstall all non-Microsoft security software (antivirus, antimalware, firewall, etc.), to avoid installation problems during the upgrade.
Method 1. Force Windows to re-download and install the update from scratch.
The first method to fix Windows Update 0x800f0831 is to force Windows to re-download and install the update from scratch. To do this, go ahead and delete the “SoftwareDistribution” folder where Windows stores updates so that it can recreate it and re-download the updates from the beginning.
+ R keys to open the Run command box.
1b. In run command box, type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Windows Services control panel.
2. Right-click on Windows Update service and select Stop.
3. Then, open Windows Explorer, navigate to C:Windows folder and open it to explore its contents.
4. Select and Delete the “SoftwareDistribution” folder. (Click Continue at “Folder Access Denied” window).
* Notes:
1. After deleting this folder, the next time the Windows Update will run, a new empty “SoftwareDistribution” folder will be automatically created by Windows to store updates.
2. If you cannot delete the folder because of error “Folder in use – try again”, then delete it after starting Windows in “Safe Mode”.
5. Restart your computer and then try to install updates.
Method 2. Fix Windows Update Error 0x800f0831 by repairing system files.
The next method to fix the error 0x800f0831 in Windows update, is to repair the Windows installation and System Files using the DISM and SFC tools.
1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. (To do that, type “cmd” in Search and then at “Command Prompt” result, select “Run as Administrator”)
2. At the command prompt window, type the following command & press Enter:
- dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
3. Be patient until ‘Deployment Image Servicing and Management’ (DISM) tool repairs the component store.
4. When the operation is completed, give the command below to repair the system files and press Enter:
- sfc /scannow
5. When SFC scan is completed, restart your computer.
6. After restarting try to install the update again.
Method 3: Fix Windows Update 0x800f0831 Install error by installing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
While the .NET Framework 4.8 feature is enabled by default on Windows 11/10 computers, the .NET Framework 3.5 (.Net 2.0 and 3.0) feature is not enabled, but is needed for some updates to install correctly.
1. On the Search box type “windows features“, and then click on Turn Windows features on or off.
2. On the “Window Features” window, check the .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) checkbox and then check also the following features:
- Windows Communication Foundation HTTP Activation
- Windows Communication Foundation Non-HTTP Activation
3. When done, click OK to save the changes.
4. Now wait for Windows to install the selected features and then restart your computer.
5. After restarting try to re-install the update again.
Method 4: Reset Windows Update Components.
Update errors are often caused by corrupted Windows Update components. To fix them, do the following:
1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands in order (hit Enter after typing each command):
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop cryptSvc
- net stop bits
- net stop msiserver
- Ren %systemroot%SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
- Ren %systemroot%System32catroot2 catroot2.old
- net start bits
- net start wuauserv
- net start appidsvc
- net start cryptsvc
3. After giving the above commands, restart your computer and see if you are able to install updates.
Method 5: Manually Install the Failed Windows Update
Another method to fix the Windows update error 0x800f0831, is to download and install manually the failed update.
1. In Windows Update, notice the KB number of the failed update. (e.g. “KB5022845″).
2. Then navigate to official Microsoft update catalog website and search for the KB number of the failed update.
3. From the list of updates, locate the one that corresponds to your Windows version and click on the Download button next to it.
4. On the popup window, click on the link to download the update.
5. When the download is completed, double-click at the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.
Method 6. Repair and Upgrade Windows using ISO file.
Another method to solve the mentioned problem is to repair & upgrade Windows from a Windows ISO file. For this task, read the instructions in the following article:
Method 7. Clean Install Windows.
The final method to fix the mentioned problem, is to backup your files and to perform a fresh installation of Windows. For this task, read the instructions in the following article:
That’s it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.