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

Tak 15 Reputation points
2025-10-16T16:03:22.2233333+00:00

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...?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

9 answers

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  1. great one 15 Reputation points
    2025-10-21T21:46:33.1866667+00:00

    i am having the same exact issue since yesterday

    discovered it with the kb5070773 update ( still having it as i type)

    my only conclusion is a bug is the oct update, not had this issue ever before

    and like you everything shows good and run everything no problems

    yet the problem exists

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  2. Максим Копытко 10 Reputation points
    2025-10-21T16:57:12.57+00:00

    та же история но с KB5070773

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  3. nima kh 0 Reputation points
    2025-10-19T07:34:15.4666667+00:00

    Hi Carl,

    Thanks again for your detailed guidance. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve gone through every step you suggested — disabling antivirus and VPN, running the Windows Update troubleshooter, restarting services via services.msc, manually installing KB5066835 from the Update Catalog, and even running DISM with a local install.wim source.

    Unfortunately, even the Repair Install itself failed. When I tried reinstalling Windows through Settings > System > Recovery > Reinstall Now, the process didn’t complete successfully and threw an error during setup.

    If you have any other ideas, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks again for your support 🙏 Best regards, Nima

    Let me know if you'd like a more technical or formal version for posting in a Microsoft forum or support ticket.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-10-16T16:41:33.21+00:00

    Hi Tak,

    Thanks for sharing the details! Error 0x800f0983 usually occurs when Windows Update components or system files are corrupted. Since you’ve already tried SFC, DISM, and resetting update components, here are the next steps:

    First, disable any third-party antivirus or VPN as these can interfere with updates. Second, run the Windows Update Troubleshooter under Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and restart the Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Service from services.msc. Last, if the issue persists, try manually installing KB5066835 from the Microsoft Update Catalog: https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx or perform a repair install by going to Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update > Reinstall now. This keeps your files and apps intact while refreshing system components.

    If this helps, please mark the answer as accepted so others can find it easily.

    Best,
    Carl

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