Ways to fix error 0x800f020b

One of the frequent system problems on Windows 10 is download error 0x800f020b. It can occur during an OS update and is not uncommon for printer owners, but it can also be associated with other system problems.

Error 0x800f020b in Windows

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What Causes Error Code 0x800f020b

Error 0x800f020b is an Update Center error related to the inability to install the latest update (Windows Updates). If you can’t figure out how to fix it, read our article.

Solution for error 0x800f020b

We decided to figure out what causes error code 0x800f020b and listed the most known causes and solutions.

Removing all USB devices

Error code 0x800f020b refers to problems with external devices connected to the computer. Therefore, sometimes it is enough to simply remove the USB devices from the PC and reboot. If after this the update did not take place, then proceed to the next method.

Flash drive from laptop

Clearing the update cache

To clear the update cache, you need to open the service manager. To do this, enter the command services.msc at the command prompt (Win + R).

services.msc command in Windows

In the manager, right-click on the “Windows Update” tab and stop it.

Stopping the Windows Update service in Windows

Now open the DataStore folder containing the cache files (C:WINDOWSSoftwareDistribution) and clean it completely. Turn on the Update Center and try to run the update.

Windows SoftwareDistribution folder

Running the troubleshooter

If it was not possible to fix the error manually, trust the automatic system assistant.

Update & Security section in Windows 10

To do this, open the Options menu (Win + I) and go to the “Update and Security” section, and from there – to “Troubleshooting”.

Item "Advanced Troubleshooting Tools" in Windows

Select the “Advanced Troubleshooters” tab – a window will open with various system utilities, among which you need to find “Windows Update”. Click on Run the troubleshooter and follow the instructions.

Windows Troubleshooter button

Reinstalling the printer driver

One of the most common causes of this error is problems with printer drivers. You can reinstall them in Device Manager, which can be opened by typing devmgmt.msc at the command prompt.

Running the devmgmt.msc command on Windows

In the manager, find the “Print Queues” section, right-click on your device and click “Remove Device”.

Uninstalling the Windows Printer Driver

After that, you need to download new printer drivers from the official website of the manufacturer. When the installation is complete, restart your PC and check for the error.

Downloading the printer driver for Windows

Running the SFC and DISM utilities

Sometimes the error can be caused by corrupted Windows internal files. The solution to the situation can be the use of system utilities SFC and DISM. To use the tool, open a command prompt (WIN+R) and type sfc /scannow.

scannow command in Windows

A system scan will begin, during which you may receive a notification about restoring system files.

Result of running scannow on Windows

But if it does not appear, it does not matter: enter the following commands in the console

  • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth CheckHealth command in Windows
  • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth ScanHealth command in Windows
  • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth RestoreHealth command in Windows

After that, a long process of executing these commands will begin. Don’t worry, it’s completely normal. At the end of this process, the original versions of the system files should be restored, and the error 0x800f020b should disappear. But if this does not happen, more serious measures may be required.

Restarting the WU service

The problem may be more trivial: the WU (Windows Update) utility, that is, the Update Center, may simply not be running. To check this, open the Services Manager (services.msc on the command line) and double-click on Windows Update.

Windows Update service in Windows

It is necessary that the startup type be specified as “Automatic”. If the service is running, stop it and enable it again. Restart your computer.

Stopping Windows Update

Running Windows Update

WU base fix

If the restart did not help, then there is a chance that fixing the Update Center database with internal Windows tools will help.

Fixing the WU base on Windows

To do this, open a command prompt and enter the following commands one by one:

  • net stop wuauserver
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver
  • Ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.mvp
  • Ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.mvp
  • net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc
  • net start bits
  • net start msiserver

Commands to fix the WU base on Windows

Returning the PC to its original state

We have listed several ways to fix the problem with 0x800f020b. And if none of them worked, then there is nothing left to do but reset the system. Don’t worry, this isn’t about reinstalling Windows, it’s just about resetting to factory settings and keeping all files. Of course, all settings will be lost in this case, but this is a small loss compared to the inability to use the PC normally.

Options to disable Magnifier

So, to reset the system, you need to open the “System Settings” again – the “Recovery” window in the “Update and Security” section.

Windows Update & Security section

Starting Windows Recovery

Click “Start” and in the window that opens, check the boxes “Keep or delete personal files” of your choice.

Saving or deleting Windows files

After that, confirm your decision by clicking on the “Reset” button and wait until the utility finishes its work.

Preparing to restore Windows

When your computer restarts, be prepared to set up Windows 10 from scratch again.

Reset button in Windows

Update with MediaCreationTool

Launching the Media Creation Tool allows you to install updates manually. This program can be downloaded from Microsoft site.

Launch Media Creation Tool

At startup, select “Update this PC now” and the utility will download the update automatically, bypassing the Update Center.

Media Creation Tool License Agreement

"Upgrade this PC now" option in Windows

Skipping a problematic update

If all the previous steps did not help, you can refuse to install the update and work on a non-updated system. To do this, you need to download the wushowhide.diagcab utility and run it. You will see a window that says “Show or hide update”. Select the “Advanced” item and uncheck the “Automatically apply corrections” item.

Show or hide update window

Some time after the program scans the OS, click on the “Hide updates” button and find the problematic update in the list that opens. The program will save you from annoying update and allow you to start Windows even without it.

Disabling updates in "wushowhide.diagcab"

Did you experience error 0x800f020b on your computer? How did you manage to fix it? Share your experience in the comments.

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