Fix 0x800f0838 Windows Update Error

In this post, we will see how to fix Windows Update error 0x800f0838. It is fairly common to encounter errors while installing Windows updates. Some users have encountered error 0x800f0838 while installing updates using the Windows Update Standalone Installer in Windows 11.

What is error code 0x800F0838 on Windows Update?

Error 0x800F0838 is an installation error that occurs if Windows Update cannot access a folder required by the package during installation, or if dependencies on the servicing stack are not met. It usually appears while manually installing a post-checkpoint cumulative update (via .msu or PowerShell) on a system that has a Feature on Demand (FoD) or Language Pack (LP) installed from a local source (no WSUS or Windows Update access).

Starting with Windows 11 version 24H2, Microsoft introduced Checkpoint Cumulative Updates. These updates are foundational packages required for future updates to install correctly. If a checkpoint update like KB5043080 is missing, subsequent updates like KB5051987 will fail with error 0x800F0838.

Fix 0x800f0838 Windows Update Error

To fix 0x800f0838 Windows Update error, use these solutions:

1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
2. Install the required Checkpoint and Cumulative Updates (.msu)
3. Install the updates using DISM
4. Reset Windows Update components

Let us see this in detail.

1] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Start by running the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

Press the Windows icon and select Settings. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Click Run next to Windows Update.

The troubleshooter will start running in the Get Help app. Select the issue you’re experiencing and follow the prompts. The Windows Update Troubleshooter will either run the automated diagnostic or redirect you to the appropriate help link.

2] Install the required Checkpoint and Cumulative Updates (.msu)

Since the error occurs when a system is missing a required Checkpoint update, installing that update resolves the dependency issue, allowing the new update to install successfully. For this particular error, you need to manually download and install both the checkpoint update (KB5043080, released on September 10, 2024) and the failing cumulative update (KB5051987) as .msu files.

Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog and search for the KB5043080 update. Click Download next to the version that matches your system architecture (e.g., x64 for most modern systems).

A new window will open showing a direct link to the .msu file for that specific KB. Click the link to download the file. Repeat the same process for KB5051987.

Next, create a new folder, such as C:\Updates, and save only the downloaded .msu files there. Make sure the folder does not contain any other .msu files.

Next, open PowerShell as Administrator and execute the following command to install the checkpoint update first:

Add-WindowsPackage -Online -PackagePath "C:\Updates\windows11.0-kb5043080-x64_*.msu"

If the command doesn’t work, use the full file name instead of the ‘*’. For example: windows11.0-kb5043080-x64_953449672073f8fb99badb4cc6d5d784b9c83e8.msu

Next, execute the following command to install the cumulative update that was failing:

Add-WindowsPackage -Online -PackagePath "C:\Updates\windows11.0-kb5051987-x64_*.msu"

After both updates are installed successfully, restart your system to complete the update process.

3] Install the updates using DISM

Microsoft’s Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool supports servicing system packages, including .cab and .msu files. It can be used to install or remove updates, language packs, and even enable or disable Windows features from the command line.

Download the required updates (e.g., KB5043080 and KB5051987) from the Microsoft Update Catalog and save both .msu files in a single clean folder like C:\Packages as explained above.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and execute the following commands one after the other:

DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\Packages\windows11.0-kb5043080-x64.msu
DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\Packages\windows11.0-kb5051987-x64.msu

Once installed, restart your PC.

4] Reset Windows Update components

If none of the above solutions work, try resetting the Windows Update components. Open an elevated command prompt and run the following commands:

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

Try installing the update again and see if the error is gone.

Read: Fix 0x8024000B Windows Update Error.

How do I fix a Windows Update installation error?

To fix a Windows Update installation error, run the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter. It will help identify and resolve common issues with the failing update. If the error persists, manually install any missing prerequisite updates using .msu files. You can also try resetting Windows Update components to clear the corrupt cache or services.

Read Next: Windows Update fails to install or will not download in Windows.