9 Fixes For Windows 10 update error 0x80080008

Updating the Windows OS is a very important process that has to be carried out regularly, for being able to use the newly-included features and for a bug-free user experience.

However, several users complained that they couldn’t install the updates for their Windows 10 Operating System (OS) and that they received an error message with the code update error 0x80080008.

They also reported that the update process crashes or does not progress when the system files are being downloaded. 

If you have faced this issue or are currently experiencing the update error 0x80080008 on your Windows 10 PC, this article should be able to get your system out of this inconvenient spot you were or are in. 

What Does The Update Error 0x80080008 Mean?

The update error 0x80080008 usually appears on your computer when you attempt to install a newer version of the Windows 10 OS. This is a direct reference to the CO_E_SERVER_STOPPING error code, which stands for the object server being stopped by force when the OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) service is started through the object server. 

This issue occurs on your computer, because of the incorrect or incomplete placement or installation of the most recent release of the Wups2.dll file on your PC. 

If you run into this error, you will see an error message dialog box that contains the following message –

Windows Update

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 (0x80080008)

Cases Of The Update Error 0x80080008

There are two variants to the update error 0x80080008 on your computer. 

• 0x80080008 Server 2016

This variant of update error 0x80080008 can be seen mostly on the computers that use the Windows server 2016 version. There aren’t any exclusive set of solutions for fixing this issue on the Windows Server 2016, but it can be solved with the usual steps that we’ll use to fix this error on any Windows 10 PC. This mainstream server should be around for another year or so until Microsoft shuts it down, the probability of the ser

• Windows Update Failed

When your Windows update service fails, your updates will stop working on your system. This simple issue can be fixed by downloading the OS updates, manually or turning the antivirus software on your computer, just while downloading the OS update. 

Do I Need To Update My Windows Computer?

Yes, it is very important to download and install updates for your Windows OS. A Windows Update can contain the fixes to a bug or glitch in the system. The addition of new features is only possible by downloading updates on your computer.

An update can also improve the system’s security and protect it from malware attacks and even, hackers. Microsoft releases new patch updates on the second Tuesday of every month. These days are fondly known as patch Tuesdays. 

However, updating the OS can bring in new issues to your computer. There is no way of knowing this as only the bug fixes and new features are mentioned on the Windows Update settings page. We cannot do anything about it unless we know about it beforehand though some forums

Solutions To Fix The Update Error 0x80080008 On Windows 10

These are the different techniques that we’ll be using to resolve the update error 0x80080008 on your Windows 10 PC. 

1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
2. Turn Your Antivirus Off Temporarily
3. Register The Wups2.Dll
4. Run The SFC And DISM Scans Through The Command Prompt Tool 
5. Restarting The Windows Update Service On Your PC
6. Restart The Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) 
7. Download The Windows Update Manually
8. Try An In-Place Upgrade  
9. Boot Your PC Up In Safe Boot Mode And Download Updates

Fixing The Update Error 0x80080008 On Your Windows 10 PC

There are a few workarounds like restarting the system, but many users reported that this caused an error message to appear, that goes like this – “Service Registration is missing or corrupt.”

Solution 1: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

The first option to troubleshoot any issue on your computer is to troubleshoot it. This will not only find the source of the issue but also fix it, under most circumstances. The troubleshooter will make adjustments in the configurations of the computer to make the system function normally. 

In the case of an update error 0x80080008, the Windows Update troubleshooter is not very useful. It can only offer you a temporary fix to this issue. However, this is nothing to be disheartened about as this can give you the time gap that you need to find a permanent solution to this issue. 

These are the steps to troubleshoot any errors regarding the downloads or installation of Windows Updates on your Windows 10 computer. 

1. Launch the Windows Settings application on your computer. You can either press the Windows key and I, together simultaneously and also interact with the gear icon on the left side of the start menu, to open the Settings window.
2. Select the Updates & Security settings tile to open the Windows Update page. This is where you have to initiate a download for an update.
3. Now, go into the Troubleshoot tab and the User Interface (UI) will display a list of all the troubleshooters that have been executed on the computer.
4. It is highly unlikely for the Windows Update troubleshooter to be used and therefore, you will have to look for it inside the Additional troubleshooters link, under the Get up and running section.

5. Expand this Windows Update troubleshooter option and click on the Run the troubleshooter button to bring it up.
6. You might have to make some choices. If so, make the correct choices and wait for the troubleshooting operation to end.
7. If there is, click on the Apply this fix option when the process completes.

Rebooting your system after troubleshooting any aspect of your computer is recommended as it helps in saving the new configurational changes made in the system. 

Note: Troubleshooting a Windows Update is not a definite solution to this issue. Though you’ll be shown a satisfactory result and a solution to your issue, most of the time, the chances of this issue reappearing are not reduced. You could be looking at one or two update downloads before this issue comes up again.

Solution 2: Turn Your Antivirus Off Temporarily

Antivirus programs are quite useful when they carry out the tasks they are instructed to. For instance, they are good at keeping harmful files at bay. However, they suspect legitimate files and in the case of an update error 0x80080008, the antivirus program can detect the updated files to be viruses. 

Disabling the antivirus till the update is complete is a recommended workaround for you. You do not have to worry about the system’s safety as the Windows Defender takes over the security. Users can disable their third-party antivirus apps with the help of its shortcuts in the task tray or through the main application itself. The options to do this, precisely, will differ from each antivirus program.

Make sure to disable the antivirus temporarily. If you did disable it for an indefinite period of time, make sure to re-enable it once the Windows update download is complete.

Solution 3: Re-Register The Wups2.dll

The update error 0x80080008 issue is caused by a corrupt Wups2.dll file or when it is not detected by the OS, most of the time. Registering it again can help the system detect this file and thereby let you be able to download updates again. This is your solution if you see the missing service registration error message. 

To do this, you have to launch an elevated command prompt window and execute all the below-stated commands. 

• REGSVR32 WUPS2.DLL /S
• REGSVR32 WUPS.DLL /S
• REGSVR32 WUAUENG.DLL /S
• REGSVR32 WUAPI.DLL /S
• REGSVR32 WUCLTUX.DLL /S
• REGSVR32 WUWEBV.DLL /S
• REGSVR32 JSCRIPT.DLL /S
• REGSVR32 MSXML3.DLL /S

Solution 4: Run The SFC And DISM Scans Through The Command Prompt Tool

There are two scans that we generally recommend for any issue that arises from the Windows OS. They are effective for fixing any corrupt file that is present in the computer’s storage drives. By fixing the missing or corrupted system files, they get rid of the update errors, especially the update error code 0x80080008 that has occurred. 

These are the SFC and DISM scans. To run these, you will need a command prompt window with admin rights.

System File Checker (SFC)

A System File Check scan (SFC) is a scanning tool that is used to find file damage and replace them with a fresh and compatible copy of the same file so that the computer runs without any major errors. 

1. Type in cmd in the search bar at the left side of the taskbar and choose Run as Administrator from the search results. This will open Command prompt on your computer, with the system administrator privileges. You can also open the quick link menu and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Now, enter this command line in the script window and hit Enter to execute it:

sfc /scannow

Deployment Image Servicing And Management (DISM)

The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is an in-built system scanning utility that is used to make adjustments in the installation media for the Windows 10 OS or detects and resolves issues that can be caused in the Windows image file. 

1. Enter cmd in the search bar at the bottom of your screen and select Run as Administrator in the search results. This will open Command prompt with admin privileges. 
2. The DISM tool comprises of a set of commands. You have to run all the following commands in the specified order:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

This command-line scans the system for corrupt files and any sign of damage.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Checkhealth

This line is used to test the health of the image files ie. If they are normal or corrupt.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

You can use this to fix the corrupt file or replace it with a new one.

3. Hit the Enter key to run these commands.

Solution 5: Restart The Windows Update Service On Your PC

There are two ways to restart the Windows Update service on your computer. This will reset this service and maybe, you will be able to run the update downloads on your computer. This should fix the Windows error 0x80080008 on your system and let you download your Windows update. 

These are the two steps reset/restart the Windows Update components. 

Method 1: Command Prompt

Launch the Command Prompt window as a system administrator. Once the window is open, type in these command lines and hit the enter key. 

The commands you should execute are as follows – 

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Method 2: Services Window

1. Open the Microsoft Services box on your computer. To do this, you can either execute the ‘services.msc’ command in the Run dialog box (press Windows + R) or simply browse for it in the search bar and open it through the search results.
2. Press the W key on your keyboard to navigate to the processes, the names of which start with the letter W. From this list, locate the Windows Update process and right-click on it.
3. From the context menu, that pops up in response, choose the Restart option.
4. Reboot your system after restarting the update service.

Solution 6: Restart The Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)

1. Open the Services window. If you do not know how to, check the previous solution for the steps to launch this window. 
2. From the list of all the services in the system, scroll down to the Background Intelligent Transfer Service option. 
3. Open the Properties for the BITS service. Double-click on it or open the context menu and choose the Properties option. 
4. Check the status of the service. If it has been stopped, click on the Start button again to launch the process again. 

Restart your computer and check if this can fix the Windows Update error on your computer. 

Solution 7: Manually Download The Windows Update 

You can download the Windows Update through the Microsoft update catalog, manually if you can’t use it the normal way. 

1. Make note of the KB number of the update that you want to download on your computer. This should be available on the Windows Update page.
2. Go to the Microsoft update catalog website on your browser and use the KB number to find Windows updates. 
3. From the list of Windows updates, find the correct one and click on the Download button. 

4. Install these Windows update files. 

If the auto-update feature is enabled, you need to have the newest version of the Windows Update agent.

Solution 8: Try An In-Place Upgrade  

An In-place upgrade is a simplified terminology for installing the latest version of the OS, with the help of a complicated media creation tool for Windows. You will basically be installing the Operating System again, but you will be replacing the existing OS with a newer version. 

Solution 9: Boot Your PC Up In Safe Boot Mode And Download Updates

Booting up your system in safe mode allows only the most important 

1. Open the Run tool, type in the msconfig command and hit Enter.

This is the command phrase for bringing the System configuration window up.

2. Go into the General tab and click on the Load Startup items option under the Selective Startup radio button.

3. Move to the Services tab and enable the Hide all Microsoft services option. After this, click Disable all, at the lower-left portion of the window.  

4. Click on the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager.
5. In the Task Manager window, go into the Services tab and disable all the processes, which are enabled.

6. Quit the Task Manager and the system configurations windows.
7. Restart your PC to perform a clean boot of your PC.
8. Once the system boots up, download the updates through the Windows Settings. 

These are the ways you can fix the Windows error 0x80080008. You can always talk to Microsoft customer support and see if they have got a solution for you.