Windows Update 0x800f0805 error for KB5071546

Question

Windows Update 0x800f0805 error for KB5071546

Stanley Quinn 25

I am running Windows 10 version 10.0.19045.6456 with ESU updates enabled.

Every time I run Windows Update it tries to get KB5071546 and it fails with this error:

There were problems downloading some updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this, try searching the web or contacting support for help. This error code might help: (0x800f0805)

I have run the Windows Update Troubleshooter which says:

Troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem

I have also deleted the SoftwareDistribution folder in the Windows directory and it did not help.

How can I resolve this issue?

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

David-M 128.2K Independent Advisor

In this case, I suggest you perform an In-place Upgrade. This procedure reinstalls Windows, which helps to fix problems.

It's a simple procedure, and you have the option to keep files, settings, and apps. Therefore, all your data is kept.

Download the ISO file to perform the procedure:

Access the link below and click "Download now" to download the Media Creation Tool.

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10

Run the tool and click "Accept" to accept the terms;
Select "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC" and click "Next";
In the "Select language, architecture, and edition" step, leave the "Use the recommended options for this PC" box checked and click "Next";
In the "Choose which media to use" step, select "ISO file", click "Next", select where to save, and click "Save".

After downloading the ISO, do the following:

Double-click the ISO file to run it.

(After running the ISO, you may need to double-click the "Setup" file to start the procedure.)

On the "Install Windows 10" screen, uncheck "I want to help make the installation of Windows better" and select "Change how Windows Setup download updates";
On the next screen, select "Not right now" and click "Next";
Accept the terms of use;
At the "Ready to install" screen, select "Choose what to keep" and select what you want to keep.

(In this step, select "Keep personal files and apps" so all your data is kept.)

Click "Install" and wait for the procedure to finish. Your computer may restart several times.

The update may be installed during the In-place Upgrade. Therefore, it may no longer appear in Windows Update. Still, check Windows Update for any pending updates and install them.

If you get any errors, please let me know.

Feel free to ask back any questions.

Stanley Quinn 25 Reputation points

2025-12-17T15:55:37.0933333+00:00
That took a while! So I:

ran the ISO and performed the in-place upgrade.

ran Windows Update and installed the 2025-10 Cumulative Update.

restarted

ran Windows Update again The 2025-12 CU was not offered. So I clicked the "ESU enrol" link and it said I was already enrolled.

So the issue has changed a bit. I am enrolled in the Windows 10 ESU program, but I am not being offered ESU updates.
David-M 128.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-17T16:09:12.05+00:00
Windows was reinstalled, but all settings and the ESU registration were preserved. After an in‑place upgrade and ESU enrollment, it's normal for the system to take some time before new updates are delivered. The behavior you're seeing is expected.

In a recent in-place upgrade I performed, it took a few days for the update to be offered.

Let me confirm your current Windows 10 OS Build.

Press "Windows + R", type winver, and click OK.

If you prefer, share a screenshot. Use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool.

Be sure to censor your email address if it appears. The Microsoft Q&A is public.

I await your reply.
Stanley Quinn 25 Reputation points

2025-12-17T16:36:06.6966667+00:00

You were right, the 2025-12 CU was offered a few minutes after your post and it has successfully installed. Now at version 10.0.19045.6691.

Given that (I think) it's now fully up to date, why is WU looking like this?

6 additional answers

Your answer

Stanley Quinn 25 Reputation points

2025-12-17T15:55:37.0933333+00:00

That took a while! So I:

ran the ISO and performed the in-place upgrade.

ran Windows Update and installed the 2025-10 Cumulative Update.

restarted

ran Windows Update again The 2025-12 CU was not offered. So I clicked the "ESU enrol" link and it said I was already enrolled.

So the issue has changed a bit. I am enrolled in the Windows 10 ESU program, but I am not being offered ESU updates.
David-M 128.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-17T16:09:12.05+00:00

Windows was reinstalled, but all settings and the ESU registration were preserved. After an in‑place upgrade and ESU enrollment, it's normal for the system to take some time before new updates are delivered. The behavior you're seeing is expected.

In a recent in-place upgrade I performed, it took a few days for the update to be offered.

Let me confirm your current Windows 10 OS Build.

Press "Windows + R", type winver, and click OK.

If you prefer, share a screenshot. Use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool.

Be sure to censor your email address if it appears. The Microsoft Q&A is public.

I await your reply.
Stanley Quinn 25 Reputation points

2025-12-17T16:36:06.6966667+00:00

You were right, the 2025-12 CU was offered a few minutes after your post and it has successfully installed. Now at version 10.0.19045.6691.

Given that (I think) it's now fully up to date, why is WU looking like this?

Answer 1

David-M 128.2K Independent Advisor

Thanks for the clarification.

Since the system is already up to date, the warning is most likely just a leftover glitch from Windows Update. If it were my PC, I'd leave it as is and wait to see if the message clears on its own. The warning doesn't make sense given that the system is fully updated.

However, if this bothers you, try this procedure:

Open Start and type cmd, right-click on "Command Prompt", and select "Run as administrator".
Run the following commands at the Command Prompt one at a time:

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc

After all these commands are completed, close the Command Prompt window, and restart your computer.

Feel free to ask back any questions.

Stanley Quinn 25 Reputation points

2025-12-17T17:30:21.29+00:00

The softwaredistribution & catroot2 trick didn't clear the warning message, but the main thing is that the PC is now up to date. I will keep an eye on it to make sure it's picking up future updates.

Thanks for all your help, very much appreciated.

Answer 2

David-M 128.2K Independent Advisor

If the system is already on build 19045.6691, which corresponds to the December 2025 Cumulative Update, then the update was successfully applied. The Windows Update alert may be caused by some residual or synchronization factors.

Try this:

Restart your computer. (This may help to finalize pending processes and synchronize the system status.)
Pause updates for a few minutes in Windows Update settings. Then, resume updates and click "Check for updates".
If the message persists, run the Windows Update troubleshooter: (This may fix detection inconsistencies.)

Let me know the result.

Feel free to ask back any questions.

Stanley Quinn 25 Reputation points

2025-12-17T16:53:21.29+00:00
Restart your computer - didn't fix

Pause updates - greyed out, cannot click

Windows Update troubleshooter - found errors but message persists even after reboot
David-M 128.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-17T17:04:08.8+00:00

Pause updates - greyed out, cannot click

Try going to "Advanced options". Then, in the "Pause updates" section, select the dropdown menu and specify a date.

Feel free to ask back any questions.
Stanley Quinn 25 Reputation points

2025-12-17T17:13:14.8933333+00:00

Also greyed out:

Answer 3

David-M 128.2K Independent Advisor

Thanks for the screenshot.

You are running Windows in 64-bit.

Perform a clean boot to see if any third-party programs in the background are preventing Windows from updating. Follow the instructions carefully.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd#ID0EBBD=Windows_10

After updating, or if this doesn't help, return to normal boot as instructed in "Reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting".

Let me know the result.

Feel free to ask back any questions.

Stanley Quinn 25 Reputation points

2025-12-17T12:34:53.2966667+00:00

I disabled 3 services and 3 items from startup and rebooted, but I still get this:

Answer 4

David-M 128.2K Independent Advisor

I suggest doing the following:

Use the system file checker to repair possible corrupted or missing system files.

Open Start and type cmd, right-click on "Command Prompt", and select "Run as administrator".
Run the following commands at the Command Prompt one at a time:

dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
sfc /scannow

Note: Pay close attention to the results of the commands. This will help you determine whether the procedure was completed successfully or if there was a problem. If you get any errors, let me know the error message that was displayed.

Then restart your PC and see if you can update.

If it persists, download and install the update that is having problems manually.

Download the installation package from the link below.

https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/d/msdownload/update/software/secu/2025/12/windows10.0-kb5071546-x64_0e78fb6e8fcade4a2c059de54ea2d31e707ea02f.msu

Source: https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB5071546

If the problem persists, please let me know, and I will provide another method.

Feel free to ask back any questions.

Stanley Quinn 25 Reputation points

2025-12-16T18:57:23.44+00:00

That took a while (it still has a slow HDD)! The results:

dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth

No component store corruption detected.

The operation completed successfully.

dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

The restore operation completed successfully.

The operation completed successfully.

dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup

The operation completed successfully.

sfc /scannow

Verification 100% complete.

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.

For online repairs, details are included in the CBS log file located at

windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For example C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For offline

repairs, details are included in the log file provided by the /OFFLOGFILE flag.

After a reboot, I still get the same error when running Windows Update.

Then I downloaded the file from your link and got this when executing:
David-M 128.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-17T12:08:11.11+00:00
Sorry for the delay in reply. I've been offline.

Are you running the 32-bit version of Windows 10?

If you're not sure, please share a screenshot of your system information.

Press "Windows + R", type msinfo32 and press Enter.

Maximize the window and use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool.

I await your reply.
Stanley Quinn 25 Reputation points

2025-12-17T12:19:59.7133333+00:00

No problem, thanks for the help so far.

I hope this is sufficient: