Unable to update on Windows 11 issues... Error code: 0x800f0983

Question

Unable to update on Windows 11 issues... Error code: 0x800f0983

Tak 15

I received a Windows update, but when I tried to update it, the following image appeared and I couldn't update...

About:

OS: Window 11 Home
Device: Lenovo IdeaPad
Windows Update: KB5066835
Errors: 0x800f0983 - Installation Failure and error

What I've tried:

Running the sfc /scannow command with administrator privileges → No effect
Running the repair command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and the integrity check command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth → No effect
Running all of the following commands:

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc
Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader*.*"
rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q
rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q
regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
netsh winsock reset
netsh winsock reset proxy
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc

then reboot → No effect unable resolved issues.

How can I fix this...?

nima kh 0 Reputation points

2025-10-19T07:01:11.07+00:00

Windows Update issue summary

I have completed every step listed in the Microsoft Q&A thread, including SFC and DISM scans, resetting Windows Update components with the provided command sequence, and removing SoftwareDistribution and catroot2, but the update still fails with error 0x800f0983 for KB5066835; I also tested installing from the Microsoft Update Catalog and tried Windows Recovery repair options without any effect.
Dinesh Kalawatia 20 Reputation points

2025-10-22T14:54:19.1566667+00:00

"Reinstall now" Windows option in System->Recovery in settings is the one and only one solution. Files and apps are not affected.
chandra sekhar kanuri 0 Reputation points

2025-10-23T13:35:17.02+00:00

same issue how to resolve
Claire H 0 Reputation points

2025-10-29T03:18:35.2233333+00:00

I had the exact same error and I tried installing via the ISO file but it failed as I had a secure boot issue error. Eventually Windows rolled back. So I am stuck now. UPDATE: I did the Windows Update Recovery Install and this worked - KB5070773 installed coorectly along with the new Preview Update!!
great one 15 Reputation points

2025-10-29T21:17:24.99+00:00

im getting errors with the preview kb5067036 which according to the release notes is suppose to fix the error with 5070773 error

2 fixes for the october update none will install

9 answers

Your answer

nima kh 0 Reputation points

2025-10-19T07:01:11.07+00:00

Windows Update issue summary

I have completed every step listed in the Microsoft Q&A thread, including SFC and DISM scans, resetting Windows Update components with the provided command sequence, and removing SoftwareDistribution and catroot2, but the update still fails with error 0x800f0983 for KB5066835; I also tested installing from the Microsoft Update Catalog and tried Windows Recovery repair options without any effect.
Dinesh Kalawatia 20 Reputation points

2025-10-22T14:54:19.1566667+00:00

"Reinstall now" Windows option in System->Recovery in settings is the one and only one solution. Files and apps are not affected.
chandra sekhar kanuri 0 Reputation points

2025-10-23T13:35:17.02+00:00

same issue how to resolve
Claire H 0 Reputation points

2025-10-29T03:18:35.2233333+00:00

I had the exact same error and I tried installing via the ISO file but it failed as I had a secure boot issue error. Eventually Windows rolled back. So I am stuck now. UPDATE: I did the Windows Update Recovery Install and this worked - KB5070773 installed coorectly along with the new Preview Update!!
great one 15 Reputation points

2025-10-29T21:17:24.99+00:00

im getting errors with the preview kb5067036 which according to the release notes is suppose to fix the error with 5070773 error

2 fixes for the october update none will install

Answer 1

great one 15

so far its working i did a download from the catalog ( microsoft catalog site) saved it and than started it to install so far its problem free in the process

its at the install stage ( before restart ) see how goes here if it stops or gets me a error

about 25% installed

hmmm ok went thru the last install fast and gave me

some updates were not installed at top of the box

the following updates were not installed

update for windows (kb5070773)

no error code or reason just that wasnt installed

so by windows update itself or by the catalog not installing

0 comments

Answer 2

Максим Копытко 10

Опция "Переустановить сейчас" Windows в System->Recovery в настройках - это единственное решение.

подтверждаю.

0 comments

Answer 3

Dinesh Kalawatia 20

If "Reinstall now" Windows option in System->Recovery in settings doesn't work. Then

Download latest windows ISO 25H2 from https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows11?msockid=0cf43ee39b4b64a42c04286e9a4d656e

There go for Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices . read the instruction for your PC x64/arm64 and download it.

Then Mount the downloaded ISO file by right clicking the ISO file. Double click mounted ISO and run setup.exe from inside ISO and "Reinstall" it without affecting files and apps.

great one 15 Reputation points

2025-10-23T16:58:40.1+00:00

did that and also used the system recovery repair with windows update ( installs repair build) not worked for me

Answer 4

great one 15

the reinstall option mention by dinesh kalawatia doesnt fix the issue atleast not for me

Dinesh Kalawatia 20 Reputation points

2025-10-22T18:48:25.3033333+00:00

If "Reinstall now" Windows option in System->Recovery in settings doesn't work. Then

Download latest windows ISO 25H2 from https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows11?msockid=0cf43ee39b4b64a42c04286e9a4d656e

There go for Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices . read the instruction for your PC x64/arm64 and download it.

Then Mount the downloaded ISO file by right clicking the ISO file. Double click mounted ISO and run setup.exe from inside ISO and "Reinstall" it without affecting files and apps.

Answer 5

Dinesh Kalawatia 20

"Reinstall now" Windows option in System->Recovery in settings is the one and only one solution. Files and apps are not affected.

Syber Generation 0 Reputation points

2025-10-23T08:25:42.2066667+00:00

I've tried the same and it worked!
M C Shanks 0 Reputation points

2025-10-27T01:17:42.09+00:00

Reinstall = Nope that did not do it either