How to fix Windows Update error 0x800f0988

What is Windows Update error 0x800f0988

If you stumble upon 0x800f0988 error when trying to update the system, then this post will help you fix this issue. Users reported that the problem pop-ups when installing KB4512508 Cumulative Update for Windows 10. Sometimes the error code may vary from 0x800f0988; 0x0xc1900223223; 0x80240034; 0x8007000E, to others. However, all of them have the same reason for the occurrence. Usually, failed Windows updates happen due to corrupted/missing files or interfered settings (especially by malware) that affect Update Services. In this article, we have presented a deck of steps that will resolve this annoying error.

Automatic Repair

Download Windows Repair Utility

1. Free up disk space

At first glance, this method may look ridiculous, however, if your local disk is running low on memory, then there is a credibility that Windows does not have enough space for installing an update. Have you ever spotted that your disk gives away a couple of gigabytes after updating – probably yes!. This is why you should clear up your disk by deleting unnecessary files (images, videos, apps, etc.) or download IObit Uninstaller utility that will eliminate long-term files like cache, junk leftovers, and others that may store up a lot of space. After doing so, try running the update once again. If this method did not help, then go to the next one.

2. Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Windows provides a variety of in-built tools to resolve the issues. One of them is TroubleShooter that allows automatically scanning for glitches and rectifying them as a result. And here is how:

1. Left-click on the Start Menu button in the bottom left corner of the screen and choose Settings. You can also use Windows key + I combination.
2. Then select Update & Security.
3. In the opened tab, go to the left-pane menu, find and click Troubleshoot.
4. After that find Windows Update and click on it.
5. In the drop-down click on the Run the TroubleShoot button.
6. Let Windows scan for the issues and fix them. After finished, restart your pc and try to install the update again.

3. Download Servicing Stack Updates

If none of the previous methods helped you, then you can try downloading Servicing stack updates (SSU). SSU makes sure that you have the latest servicing stack so that your computer can receive and install Microsoft updates properly. You can safely download them from Microsoft Update Catalog.

4. Run an System File Checker (SFC) scan

When it comes to damaged or missing files, then Windows has an in-built recovery tool that allows restoring lost or corrupted files in just a couple of steps that are 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. Once the console is opened, type the sfc /scannow command and click Enter.
4. When the fixing process is done, restart your computer.

5. Stop Automatic Updates

There is no doubt that keeping your PC updated will ensure a more stable and safe experience (not always), however, your computer still can operate without them. If you are tired of constantly receiving new updates that load up your system, then you can disable them for some time by following this:

1. Open Settings as we did previously.
2. Then click on Update & Security.
3. Choose Windows Update on the left pane.
4. And click the Advanced options button.
5. Scroll down to Pause Updates and choose the time range to delay automatic updates under Pause Until.

Finally, Windows Updates will not disturb you for the selected period of time.

6. Clear up Windows components

Overwhelmed components database can also hinder the installation of updates. This is why you should try executing the StartComponentCleanup option either via Task Manager or DISM. Both methods are discussed below:

By using Task Manager

1. Press Windows key + 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 purpose, 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.

7. Reset Windows Update service

In this particular method, you can try resetting Windows Update Service since it can be malfunctioned. Do not worry, these manipulations will not cause any damage, on the contrary, they will possibly solve the 0x800f0988 error.

1. Open Command Prompt as we did previously.
2. Then type the following commands one-by-one and hit Enter after each command.

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

3. Wait until Windows resets your settings and close the console. Now try to install the update once again.

8. Install Updates manually

Not excluded that Windows fails to install the update because vital components were damaged or missed whilst downloading. Sometimes poor network configuration may be a reason for it. Thus, you should check the number of conflicting updates and download them from this Catalog.

9. Scan for Malware

Last but not least is keeping your system clean and virus-free. Different infections can become a reason for multiple errors since they can damage important files and alter settings that result in various problems like 0x800f0988. We recommend regularly scanning your device for threats with some anti-malware utility that will prevent you from cyberattacks. To find out whether your PC is infected or not, you can use SpyHunter 5 that is free of charge and can detect Potentially Unwanted Programs and other viruses that interact with your components.

Download Norton Antivirus  
In conclusion, update problems appeared a long time ago and still target lots of users these days. However, with the set of right and contemporary tools, solving error 0x800f0988 is not a huge problem. We hope you no longer experience this issue and continue using your computer without discomfort.