Solution to fix Windows update error 0x800f0845 on Windows 10

Facing issues while installing the latest update for your Windows system through Windows Update Utility? Are you getting the error code 0x800f0845 on Windows 10 while installing any new update? Here is a detailed solution for your latest Windows update problem.

The 0x800f0845 error code is not the regular one and falls under the Windows 10 update errors. As this error code is to the regular one, it cannot be overcome by restarting the Windows update service or resetting the Windows Update. 

Generally, you get the update error 0x800f0845 on Windows 10 while you install the Windows 10 Cumulative Update KB4056892. The windows update error 0x800f0845 does not allow you to install all other pending Windows 10 system updates.

Whenever you face such Windows update error 0x800f0845, you must verify whether your operating system can overcome this problem by running the Windows Update troubleshooter. If the system cannot handle this issue, you can reset all WU components Included in the update operation. 

If the windows update error 0x800f0845 is caused due to corruption of some system files, find that file and overcome the issue using DISM and SFC utilities. You get the error 0x800f0845 on windows due to insufficient hard disk space, corrupted files, damaged system drivers, or corrupted windows update components. Follow the below steps to fix windows update error 0x800f0845. 

Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

A dedicated tool that checks the fault affecting the Windows Update Utility is called the Windows Update troubleshooter. This troubleshooter software tool helps users to solve any problem occurring that makes the application uneasy to work.

When you run the troubleshooter, it will display all the issues occurring in the application and allow you to resolve them. Below are the detailed steps used for locating the Windows Update Troubleshooter. 

  • Firstly, click on the Start button. Once the start menu is displayed, click on the cogwheel icon to go to the Settings application. Another shortcut for opening the Settings application is to press the Windows + I button combined. 
  • Once you are directed to the Settings application page, click on the icon named Update and Security. This icon is present at the bottom of the window. 
  • After clicking the Update and Security icon, the page appears, and click on the Troubleshoot option, which is present at the left of the Window. 
  • After that, click on the Update option. 
  • When you click on the Update option, you will notice the Run the Troubleshooter option. 
  • After clicking on the Run the Troubleshooter option, the troubleshooter will scan all the issues affecting the Windows Update utility. 
  • If there are some significant fixes to apply, the troubleshooter will command you to do so once it finishes its scan. 
  • If there are fixes, click on the Apply button to fix issues. 
  • After the process of fixing issues completes, update your system. 

Use the System File Checker Tool

Another method to fix windows update error 0x800f0845 is using the system file checker tool for detecting the corrupted files and replacing them with good ones. We have seen that corrupted or missing files can be a hindrance to your system’s update.

When your system’s files are corrupted or missing, it will trigger an error while you wish to update your Windows 10 system. The system file checker tool will identify the infected files and replace them automatically. 

For Windows 10 systems, users need to execute the inbox Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool before using the system file checker tool. We have noted the detailed steps used for running DISM and SFC below. 

  • Go to the Start button and right-click on it. There you will notice the Run button. Click on that Run button. A dialog box appears. If you require a shortcut method to this dialog box, click Windows + R combined. 
  • When the dialog box appears, you have to type ‘cmd’ and click Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys at once. 
  • A dialog window appears displaying the User Account Control option. Here, click on the Yes button to grant permission for the Command Prompt to run as administrator. 
  • Therefore, the command prompt is now opened in an administrator mode. On the command prompt, type the below line and click on the Enter button. The DISM tool will start running.
ISM.exe/Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Once the tool starts running, it will fetch the files that are to be repaired through the Windows Update utility. As the files are corrupted, the Windows Update client will not work properly.

Hence, you will have to use another repairing source, like bootable Windows or Windows 10 DVD. Alternatively, you can use the virtual DVD, like Windows 10 ISO file, as the repair source. You must ensure that you have noted the path repair source’s Windows folder. 

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:X:\Source\Windows /LimitAccess

In the above line, X:\Source\Windows is the path to the repair source’s Windows folder. Use your system’s path here. It takes some time for the above command or line to execute. Let it execute completely. 

Once the above line runs completely, you have to type another command on the command prompt, “sfc/ scannow,” and press enter. 

When the “sfc / scannow” command finishes its execution, it will display the “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired” message on the screen. Later, restart your Windows 10 system. 

If there is a message, “Windows Resource Protection could not perform requested operation, you have to reboot your system in the safe mode. Run the above command after the system gets rebooted. 

You might be worried about how to reboot the system in safe mode. No worries. Below are the detailed steps guiding you to reboot the system in safe mode.

Press the Start button and click on the cogwheel icon to go to Settings. You can also press the  Windows + I buttons simultaneously. 

After the Settings application gets open, click on the Windows and Security icon. A screen appears displaying the Recovery option on the left pane of the window. 

Under the Advanced Startup option at the right pane of the window, press the Restart button. 

Later, you will notice the Choose an Option screen containing the Troubleshoot icon. Click on the Troubleshoot icon and later click on the Advanced Option. 

There you will see the Startup settings. Click on it, and the Restart button will appear. Go to the Restart button and press it. 

Your system will reboot in safe mode now. When the system reboots, click on the Safe Mode with Networking option. 

Lastly, run the system file checker tool. 

You must ensure that the drive you choose should be healthy, as it affects the system files. If the drive is not fragmented properly, it becomes difficult for the system to access the files. 

Restart the Windows Update Service

The Windows Update utility offers a broad set of services. Many times, you may notice that these services are currently inactive or unavailable. In such circumstances, you need to restart inactive or unavailable services to make them run properly.

You can restart these services using the Command Prompt or Services app. Let us discuss restarting these inactive or unavailable services using the Services app and Command Prompt in detail. 

Using the Services app

Here, we shall see how to restart inactive or unavailable services using the Services app. 

Go to the Start button, and right-click on it. Select the Run option and click on it. A dialog box appears. You can also pop-up the same dialog box by pressing the Windows + R buttons. 

Once the dialog box appears, type “Services.msc” in it and press the Enter button. 

The Service application gets started after pressing the Enter button. Here, you have to locate the below services:

  • Background Intelligent Transfer Service
  • Application identity service
  • Cryptographic service
  • Windows Update service

For locating these services, right-click on every service, select Properties, and press the Stop button. From the drop-down menu, you are supposed to select the Startup Type, click on Automatic, and later press the OK button. 

After doing the above step, try to run the update. 

Using the Command Prompt

This segment will discuss the steps for restarting inactive or unavailable services using the command prompt. 

Use the shortcut keys for starting the command prompt. Click the Windows and R buttons to pop-up the dialog box. Type “cmd.”. Alternatively, users can right-click on the Start menu, select the Run option, and type “cmd.”

Once you type “cmd,” click on Enter + Shift + Ctrl buttons simultaneously. 

The Account Control dialog window opens and requests permission. Hence, you have to click on the Yes button. 

Doing this will run the command prompt in administrator mode. Once you switch to administrator mode, type the below lines in it and click on the Enter button:

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc

After typing the above lines, type the following four lines and press the Enter button. 

net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc

 Once run all the above commands, stop the command prompt and run the Windows Update. You can check for errors while running the Windows Update. 

Check for Malware by scanning the system

Many times the system may suffer from malware infection. Therefore, the files stored in the system may get damaged or destroyed due to the malware program. Files that are associated with the Windows Update process may also get affected due to these malware programs.

You have to scan the system to detect the malware and resolve the issues. Make sure that you perform the full scan of the system. The advantage of performing the full scan is it will detect the malware from every corner of the system and will not leave a single place. 

For performing a full scan, you can click on the Scan menu of the antivirus software program. Another way for the full scan and system protection is by relying on Windows Security. Below are the steps for the full scan. 

Firstly, you have to open the Settings application. For this, click on the Start menu, and then click on the cogwheel icon. Alternatively, you can press the Windows + I buttons simultaneously. 

When the Settings application opens, you have to click on the Update & Security button present at the window’s bottom. 

After you press the Update & Security button, a screen displays the Windows Security label on the screen’s left side. Click on it, click on the Protection Areas menu, and later select the Virus & Threat Protection option. 

There you will notice the Scan options. Click on it, and you will see the Full Scan option. Select the Full Scan option and press the Scan button. 

For scanning the entire system, it may take an hour or more. You have to until the scan of the entire system is completed. 

Once the scan is finished, perform the instructed actions. Later, reboot the system and verify whether the error code 0x800f0845 on Windows 10 has gone. 

You can also use malware removal software tools for scanning the malware and removing them from the system. 

Renewing or Releasing the IP address and Flushing the DNS cache

You might be thinking about what actually the DNS cache is? The DNS cache consists of information required to map the human-friendly and alphanumeric domain names to their respective IP addresses in the number format. The DNS cache may become corrupted or may possess some wrong parameters.

In such circumstances, the connection problem arises, and you may get the error code whenever you try to update your Windows system. One solution to this problem is to clear all the DNS cache parameters or flush the DNS cache. Doing this will enable the Windows system to rebuild those parameters. 

After flushing the DNS cache, the next step is to renew or release the IP address. We know that any device supporting the internet connection, like a router, assigns a unique number to the system, called an IP address.

If the assigned IP address is wrong or unavailable, the system will establish an internet connection. Therefore, you will get the error code 0x800f0845, an update error code, whenever you try to install any Windows update

Let us know how to flush the DNS cache and renew or release the IP address. Below are the detailed steps for flushing the DNS and renewing or releasing the IP address. 

At the bottom of the system’s home screen, you will notice the search bar exactly beside the Start menu. Click on it and type “cmd” in the text field. 

When you observe the cmd in the menu, right-click on it and select the Run as Administrator option. 

The User Account Control confirmation window appears. Click on the Yes button to grat the Command Prompt administrative rights. 

The command prompt opens with the black screen. You have to type the below three commands on it and press the Enter button. 

Ipconfig /flushdns
Ipconfig /release
Ipconfig /renew

Make sure you add the space between the commands as shown above. 

Resetting the Winsock Component

What is the Winsock Component? The Winsock component is the significant element, which monitors all input and output requests coming to the system from multiple web-based applications.

You can find the Winsock component as a DDL file in the System 32 folder. This component is used for transmitting various information and configurations from several programs to the TCP/IP, the network interface. 

When the Winsock component holds wrong configurations or is corrupted, the Windows Update process might be stopped, and the error occurs. The only solution for overcoming this problem is to restart the Winsock component. For resetting this component, you need to enter a proper command on the command prompt. 

At the bottom of the screen, there is a Start menu, right-click on it, and select the Run option. The dialog appears. You can also use a shortcut, Windows + R buttons simultaneously. 

After the dialog box appears, type “cmd” in the text field and press the Enter + Ctrl + Shift buttons. 

Now you have to grant permission to run the command prompt as administrator. The User Account Control dialog box appears. You will see the Yes button and press it to grant permission. 

Once you hit the Yes button, the command prompt will run in administrator mode. Type the below command on the command prompt’s screen and hit Enter. 

netsh winsock reset

After running the above command, the Winsock component will reset by replacing the DDL file. 

You should restart your system after the command executes completely. After restarting the PC, try to update it. 

Resetting Windows Update Components

Only the Windows services are not responsible for running the Windows Update utility. Many other services are related to the Windows Update utility. These services are system files and folders and registry keys.

For resetting these services or components, follow the below guide. After resetting these services, the Windows Update utility should function properly. 

Action 1

Open the Run dialog box. At the bottom of the screen, there is a Start menu, right-click on it, and select the Run option. The dialog box appears. You can also hit the Windows + R buttons to open the Run dialog box. 

Action 2

When the Run dialog box appears, type the “cmd” keyword in the text field. After typing, hit the Ctrl + Shift + Enter buttons concurrently. 

Action 3

The User Account Control dialog box pops-up. Hit the Yes button on the screen to grant permission for running the command prompt in administrator mode. 

Action 4

Now the command prompt is running in administrator mode. You have to type the below commands on the black screen. Type each command in a single line. 

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc

Action 5

We have now stopped the Windows Update services by typing the above commands. After that, you have to type the below command in the next line and hit Enter. Doing this will remove the qmgr*.dat files.

Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat”

Action 6

We have to rename two files, Catrrot2 and SoftwareDistribution folders. There are two commands for two files. Press the Enter key after writing each of the below commands. 

Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
Ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

Action 7

After running the above commands, you have to reset the Background Intelligent Transfer services and Windows Update to their respective default security descriptors.

The following are the two commands that you need to type on the command prompt and hit the Enter button for resetting the Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer services. 

sc.exe sdset bits D:
(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)
(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)
(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU
(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:
(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)
(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)
(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)
(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)

Action 8

After resetting the above two services, go to the System32 folder by typing the below command in the command prompt and hit Enter. 

cd /d %windir%\system32

Action 9

When you move to the System32 folder, you have to type the below commands in the command prompt and hit the Enter button. Executing the below commands will help you to register the Background Intelligent Transfer Service elements. 

regsvr32.exe atl.dll
regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
regsvr32.exe wups.dll
regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll

You can see there are several commands. So type all these commands carefully and sequentially. 

Action 10

The next step is to delete the unwanted and unnecessary registry keys. For safety purposes, you must back-up all registry keys before applying any changes. Modifying the registry keys is a challenging task. Below are some significant steps required for removing the unwanted and unnecessary registry keys. 

Open the Run dialog box by typing the Windows + R keys parallelly. 

When the Run dialog box appears, type the “regedit” command in the text field. 

Now click on the Yes button when the User Account Control dialog box appears. It will grant permission to run the command prompt in administrator mode. 

The Registry Editor opens. At the left pane of the window, go to 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMPONENTS

When you go to the above option, check for the below components and delete them. 

PendingXmlIdentifier
NextQueueEntryIndex
AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

Action 11

The last step is to restart the services that you stopped at the beginning. For restarting the services, type the below command one after the other in the Administrator Command Prompt. 

net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc

When you run the above commands, reboot the system, and try to start updating. 

Resetting Hosts Files

Another method is resetting files. You can try this method if the above method doesn’t work. The system’s host files contain configurations required for enabling communication in the system.

The communication may not be established if the host files’ configurations are wrong or corrupted. So, you have to reset the host file to default and verify whether errors eliminate. 

At the bottom of the screen, there is a Search Bar beside the Start menu, click on it. You can even open the search bar by pressing Windows + S buttons together. 

Here, type “notepad” and hit the Enter button. You will notice the Notepad in the search results. Click on it to start the Notepad application. In the Notepad, type the below text. 

# Copyright (c) 1993-2006 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column, followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a ‘#’ symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host
# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
#       127.0.0.1       localhost
#       ::1             localhost

You have to save the file now. Press the Shift + S buttons together to save the file with the appropriate name. Alternatively, select the File menu and select the Save As option. 

The dialog box pops-up. Save the file in the Documents folder as the Hosts name. 

Later, open the File Explorer Window by searching it in the Search Bar or pressing the Windows +E keys together. 

When the Windows Explorer gets open, go to the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc folder, and keep the Hosts file in the ETC folder. You have to change the Hosts filename to “Hosts.old.” Accept the confirmation if any dialog box pops-up. 

Later, go to the Documents folder and keep the earlier Hosts file in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc directory.

Enter the administrator password and hit Continue. 

Conclusion

We have seen the two different solutions to fix the Windows 10 update error 0x800f0845. Try the first one initially. If it doesn’t execute properly, try the next one, i.e., resetting hosts files.

Both the solutions are explained in detailed steps. Carefully follow all the instructions and commands sequentially. If the second one also doesn’t work, you can download the updates manually from Microsoft’s website.