Are you facing problems while updating your Windows computer?
Usually, updating a Windows machine is as easy as pie. The operating system is designed to ensure minimal human intervention when updating or performing any other technical tasks. However, Windows does not always update smoothly.
When updating their Windows computers, some users get stuck as a result of Windows update error 80080005. A popup window displays this message and directs the user either to the login screen or the Microsoft Edge browser. Some users also get pointed to the web browser with the Google homepage initiated.
In this post, I have shared some easy-to-implement troubleshooting techniques to solve the Windows update error 80080005 issue forever. Bear in mind that this error also occurs in Microsoft’s older operating systems like Vista and XP. Hence, before going forward, make sure you have a system recovery disk ready.
The Quick and Easy Ways to Fix the Windows Update Error 80080005
1. Repair Missing or Corrupted System Files
It is possible that when updating the system, some of the files must have been corrupted or damaged. There can be several reasons behind this, and it does not make sense to speculate. Nevertheless, the System File Checker (SFC) tool will help you find these missing or corrupt files. The tool also comes with a repair utility. You don’t have to fiddle with these files yourself.
Step 1:
Click the Start button located at the bottom left corner of the screen. Here you can find a shortcut for the command prompt or simply type cmd in the search box.
Step 2:
Right-click on the cmd shortcut and select Run as administrator. Make sure you have logged in with the administrator account, or your current account has administrator privileges.
Step 3:
After the command prompt opens, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter key.
Step 4:
The System File Checker (SFC) tool will begin to scan the newly updated files. If it finds any issue, it will display the name and location of the missing or corrupted file.
Step 5:
Next, once the scan is done, you can update the Windows PC again to see if the Windows update error 80080005 reappears. If the problem persists, kindly try other techniques.
2. Update the Service Stack
Service Stack is one of the critical components of the Windows operating system. According to the experts at the Microsoft Corporation, a servicing stack is a component that installs Windows updates.
Microsoft sends regular Servicing Stack Updates (SSU) and patches, so the update process is always seamless and hassle-free for the end-user. Since you are having problems updating your operating system, there must be something wrong with the Servicing Stack Updates (SSU). In this section, I have shown how to update the Windows Service Stack.
Step 1:
Since you are not able to update your Windows operating system, it is unlikely that you have an updated Servicing Stack. You will have to download and install a stand-alone package for this particular module. Click here to go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website. Here you will find all the Service Stack Updates (SSU) for Windows 10.
Step 2:
If you are not able to find the relevant update on the Microsoft Update Catalog website, you can head to the Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) page. Although getting an update with this method is lengthy and is not recommended.
3. Download and Install the Latest Version of .Net Framework
A Windows system update does not update the .Net Framework. You need to manually update it by heading to the Control Panel or download the latest version from Microsoft’s official website. However, I prefer the first method. The newer setup would not override the previous version.
Step 1:
Open Control Panel. Select Programs.
Step 2:
Further, in the right pane, select Turn Windows options on or off. A new pop up window will appear.
Step 3:
Here check the box corresponding to the current .Net Framework version. Now select Download Files from Windows update. The system will download the latest version of .Net Framework and install it without you having to intervene manually.
Step 4:
Restart the computer.
4. Windows Vista Fix
If you use a Windows Vista machine and want to update it to the latest version, you may have to replace a particular “dll file” on the system. I understand that Microsoft has stopped providing updates for Windows Vista since April 11, 2017, but if the setup (Compact Disk or an ISO file) you have is way older than that, then you might want to update the operating system.
So, what is the fix to Windows update error 80080005 in Vista?
Step 1:
Copy and paste this location “C:\Windows\System32” on the top bar of any file system window in your Vista machine. Or you can search the System32 folder in the C drive.
Step 2:
In the System32 folder, try to locate the file “winhttp.dll.” It found, copy and paste the file in a separate backup folder somewhere on the desktop home screen.
Step 3:
Find another Vista machine and copy the same “winhttp.dll” file in a flash drive. Replace this new file with the old one on your Vista machine. This should do the job.
5. Removing Invalid Registry Entries
If none of the above troubleshooting techniques yield a positive result, you might have to remove certain registries. It is possible that you might have accidentally made some changes to the Windows update settings. A registry is a place where all the settings are stored. Bear in mind that deleting an incorrect registry may turn out to be fatal if you don’t know how to restore it. Hence, proceed with caution.
Step 1:
Open Run by typing the keyword “run” in the Windows search box. Type the command “regedit.exe” in the placeholder provided by Run.
Step 2:
Once the Registry Editor Window pops up, locate the relevant key by typing “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall” in the search box located on the top of the window.
Step 3:
Browse through the list of registries and try to locate the one by the name “NextQueueEntryIndex.” Once you find it, simply create a backup of this file by exporting it to a local folder. The file will have an extension “.reg file.” Make sure the file is stored safely as you might need it in case this method does not solve the problem.
Step 4:
Next, right-click on the registry key “NextQueueEntryIndex” and delete the file. Quit Registry Editor.
Step 5:
Restart the machine and try to update the operating system again.
What Are the Most Common Error Codes?
It is important to note that most of the error codes that you might encounter when updating a Windows operating system indicate a hardware problem with the hard disk or shortage of space. Hence, it is crucial to check the health of the memory devices first.
These are the most common error codes:
0x80080005
0x0xc1900223223
0x80240034
0x8007000E
0x80242006
0x80244018
0x80D02002
0x80246017
0x80240438
0x80070070
0x8007000D
0x80246008
0x80096004
0x80070020
Conclusion
Updating a Windows machine can be quite challenging sometimes. You are more likely to run into trouble if you haven’t updated the operating system for a long time, or you are using an outdated machine. In the comments section below, let me know if the above-mentioned troubleshooting techniques helped you get rid of the Windows update error 80080005.
