How to Fix Windows Update Error 0xXXXXXXXXX on Windows PC (Step-by-Step Guide)

Windows Update error 0xXXXXXXXXX can appear during the installation of updates, cumulative patches, or feature upgrades. It’s usually caused by corrupted update components, missing recovery partitions, or blocked services.

Here’s all you need to know about how to fix it in no time.

Ways to fix Windows Update Error 0xXXXXXXXXX

🛠️ 1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter & Reset Components

What It Fixes:

Fixes common update failures caused by corrupted caches or stalled services.

Steps:

• Go to Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Windows Update
• Run the troubleshooter and apply any fixes it suggests
• Then, open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
  • 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

Now restart your PC and check for updates again.

🔗 Also read: Fix other update errors like 80073701 →

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🧱 2. Disable Third-Party Antivirus or VPN Software

What It Fixes:

Stops third-party apps from blocking update downloads or services.

Steps:

• Temporarily disable or uninstall antivirus software
• Turn off VPN or proxy connections
• Restart your PC and reattempt the update

✅ Tip: Users on Microsoft Q&A and Reddit confirm that disabling security software resolves the issue for many.

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💽 3. Extend or Restore the WinRE Partition

What It Fixes:

Some updates fail if the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) partition is too small or missing.

Steps:

• Run Microsoft’s Extend-WinRE PowerShell script (available via their support pages)
• Alternatively, use Disk Management or a partition manager to expand the recovery partition to at least 250 MB
  

Then, re-enable WinRE with: reagentc /enable

Many users on Reddit report success with this method for errors like 0x80070643 and 0x80246010.

📎 Also helpful: How to fix “something went wrong” errors in Windows 11 →

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📂 4. Copy Fresh WinRE Files from ISO

What It Fixes:

Resolves errors caused by corrupted recovery image files (Winre.wim or ReAgent.xml).

Steps:

1. Disable recovery:
   • reagentc /disable
2. Mount Windows 10/11 ISO (use Media Creation Tool)
   Export and mount the install.wim:
   • DISM /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:E:\sources\install.esd /SourceIndex:1 /DestinationImageFile:C:\install.wim /Compress:fast
     DISM /Mount-Wim /WimFile:C:\install.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:\MountDir /ReadOnly
3. Copy Winre.wim and ReAgent.xml from:
   • C:\MountDir\Windows\System32\Recovery to C:\Windows\System32\Recovery
4. Unmount with:
   • DISM /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:C:\MountDir /discard
5. Re-enable WinRE:
   reagentc /enable
   

🗣️ Reddit admins confirm this method resolves many 0xXXXXXXXXX-type update failures, especially when WinRE is corrupted.

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🔁 5. Use “Fix Problems Using Windows Update” in Windows 11

What It Fixes:

Automatically reinstalls update components without removing personal files.

Steps:

• Go to Settings → Windows Update → Advanced Options → Recovery
• Select “Fix problems using Windows Update” or “Repair Install”
• Let Windows apply the repair update (keep files and apps)

Many users confirmed this method resolved the issue without a full reinstall.

🔗 See more: Fix general update issues in Windows 11 →

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🔧 6. Perform a Repair Installation (In-Place Upgrade)

What It Fixes:

Resolves deep system file corruption or broken update mechanisms.

Steps:

• Use the Media Creation Tool → “Upgrade this PC now”
• Or go to Settings → System → Recovery → Reinstall Windows
• This keeps your files and apps while replacing all system components

Multiple reports on TenForums and Reddit confirm that this is a last-resort fix for stubborn update errors.

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🔍 FAQs

✅ Wrap Up

Fixing Windows Update Error 0xXXXXXXXXX depends on the root cause—corrupted cache, WinRE issues, or third-party conflicts. Start with the built-in troubleshooter, disable interfering software, then escalate to WinRE recovery or a repair install if needed.

If you’re still facing issues, refer to other related fixes for Windows update failures like this guide on generic error 0x80073701, or error 0x800f0831.