How to Fix Windows Update Errors 0x800f0988, 0x800f081f, or 0x800f08a

Some Windows users have had a problem downloading cumulative updates with error codes 0x800f0988, 0x800f081f or 0x800f08a. Here are the steps you need to resolve the problem.

Note that most Windows Updates errors use the same fixes.

1: Windows Update Error 0x800f0988, 0x800f081f, 0x800f08a - Run The Troubleshooter

Always try a troubleshooter when available first. Press Start > Settings > Update & security. Click on Troubleshoot on the left.

Scroll down and click on Windows Update, then Run the troubleshooter.

Follow the prompts and automatically repair any problems.

2: Windows Update Error 0x800f0988, 0x800f081f, 0x800f08a - Reboot

Often, a simple reboot will solve the problem. Windows sometimes requires a reboot to complete Windows Updates.

3: Windows Update Error 0x800f0988, 0x800f081f, 0x800f08a - Windows Repair

Windows Repair can reset all the Windows Update settings saving you a lot of work.

Download Windows Repair from MajorGeeks.

Boot into Safe Mode.

Select Preset: Windows Updates.

Reboot when completed.

4: Windows Update Error 0x800f0988, 0x800f081f, 0x800f08a - Clear SoftwareDistribution Folder

Open a elevated command prompt and type in the following two lines, and press Enter after each:

net stop wuauserv
net stop bits

Each command should take a few seconds, so wait until you see the messages that the services were stopped successfully. Leave the command prompt open for now.

Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and open the folder. Press CTRL + A to select all files and folder, then press the Delete key. All the files in the SoftwareDistribution should be deleted. We don't want to delete the folder itself.

Rebooting will start the two services we stopped, but if you don't want to reboot, open up the command prompt again and type in the following two lines, and press Enter after each:

net start wuauserv
net start bits

5: Windows Update Error 0x800f0988, 0x800f081f, 0x800f08a - Download Manually

You can download the update manually, as explained in this tutorial. List by date to find the most recent update you're missing.

Because these errors have come and gone over time, you will need to know the KB number or search by date.

6: Windows Update Error 0x800f0988, 0x800f081f, 0x800f08a - Reset Windows Update Agent

Reset Windows Update Agent is designed to reset Windows Update, but it can also run diagnostics and fix other typically related issues with Winsock, registry, and more. A video tutorial is available.

Download Reset Windows Update Agent here.

7: Windows Update Error 0x800f0988, 0x800f081f, 0x800f08a - Perform a Clean Boot

A Clean Boot is very similar to Safe Mode but specifically designed to narrow down a problem by allowing a certain number of drivers or startup programs and eliminate them until you find the problem.

Try running Windows Updates from a Clean boot.