How to fix
Windows update error 0x800f0990
on Windows

Hello, I am having trouble with the latest Windows updates. They were launched to be installed automatically (as they usually do) but came up with the error 0x800f0990. I tried running Windows update troubleshooter but to no avail. Are there any other solutions available?

By default, Windows is set to be updated automatically, hence users never have to worry about it. This is done for a reason - updates are extremely important for any system, as they patch important software vulnerabilities, improve stability and performance, fix bugs, implement new features, and much more. This is why you should not disable the automatic Windows 10 update feature (unless there is a big reason for it, e.g., feature-breaking updates).

However, not everything always goes smoothly, and users start experiencing issues. According to many user reports on various IT forums, they could not update Windows because of an error 0x800f0990. While the issue occurs with regular cumulative or security updates, some people reported that they were getting the error for Windows Insider Preview.

Users are not provided a proper explanation about why the error is occurring or how to fix it. Instead, the default message text is shown:

Windows Update
Error Encountered

There were some problems installing updates, but we'll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x800f0990).

While in some cases, the problem might go away on its own after some time passes (for example, Microsoft's servers might be overloaded, or the user's internet connection unstable), it does not work for most. Instead, users simply can't update their machines, regardless if it is standard Windows or Windows Insider Preview Build.

There could be many reasons for the error to occur, hence there is no universal solution. Some people named that update database corruption was at fault, while others managed to fix the 0x800f0990 error by simply downloading the update manually. This is why we provide several solutions below.

Some Windows update errors, such as 0x8024ce0e, 0x800f0900, or 0x800f0247, have been around for a while now and keep recurring from time to time. 0x800f0990, just like 0x80070541, is a relatively new issue that users started experiencing abruptly - it is especially prominent on Windows 10 21H2 versions.[ref en-2]

The good news is that the error can be fixed - in one way or another. Since the problem might lie within system file corruption or similar issue, we highly recommend you try an automatic solution with [d1]. This repair software has a unique ability to locate damaged system files and replace them with new ones without having to reinstall or reset the PC.

Method 1. Run Windows Update troubleshooter

If you still haven't done this, run a Windows Update Troubleshooter. It might not be able to solve your problem fully,[ref en-3] but it might at least point you in the right direction.

• Try Troubleshoot in Windows search and hit Enter
• Click Additional troubleshooters on the right if you can't see them all
• Here, find Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter

  

• Wait till the fixes are apply and try downloading the update once again.

Method 2. Run SFC and DISM

If broken Windows system files such as registries[ref en-1] are at fault, SFC and DISM scans could be useful:

• Type cmd in Windows search
• Right-click on Command Prompt and pick Run as administrator
• If User Account Control shows up, pick Yes
• Use the following commands, pressing Enter after each:
  sfc /scannow
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

  

Method 3. (Re)start relevant services

• Type in Services in Windows search and press Enter
• Locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
• If it is already running, right-click and select Restart
• if the service is not running, double-click it, select Automatic under the Startup type from the drop-down menu

  

• Click Start, Apply, and OK
• Do the same with Windows Update Service.

  

Method 4. Reset Windows Update components

If corrupted update database files were at fault, resetting them via Command Prompt should work:

•  Open Command Prompt as administrator as explained above
• Type in the following commands pressing Enter after each:
  net stop bits
  net stop wuauserv
  net stop appidsvc
  net stop cryptsvc
  Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\Application Data\\Microsoft\\Network\\Downloader\\qmgr*.dat”
  Ren %systemroot%\\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
  Ren %systemroot%\\system32\\catroot2 catroot2.bak
  cd /d %windir%\\system32
  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
  net start bits
  net start wuauserv
  net start appidsvc
  net start cryptsvc
• Restart your PC

  

Method 5. Install the update manually

• Type in Update in Windows search and press Enter
• Click View Update History on the right side of the window

  

• From the list of updates, note the KB number of the one that failed to be installed
• Go to Microsoft Update Catalog
• Type in the KB number and click Search
• Pick the version that is compatible with your operating system and select Download

  

• Proceed with on-screen guidelines and restart your PC once done.

Method 6. Use Media Creation Tool

Those who tried most of the solutions available online and nothing has worked said that they could fix the error after using Media Creation Tool's upgrade feature. Before you begin, make sure that all the external devices (printers, phones, cameras, etc.) are disconnected from your system. Also, backup your files just in case something goes wrong.

• Download the installer from the official Microsoft website 
• Launch it, agree to terms and click Next
• From the available options, select Upgrade this PC now and click Next

  

• The necessary files should be then downloaded
• Once the installation is complete, reboot your system.