Fix Error Code 0x800f0988 on Windows 10 [Solved]

• System files Corruption.
• False Time & Date.
• Windows update components corrupted.
• When there are no spaces inside the WinSxS folder.
• Outdated Graphics Drivers, so Update Graphics Drivers

Methods to Fix Error Code 0x800f0988 on Windows 10

If this Error Code 0x800f0988 occurred, that means the system is not working. It is necessary to update the Windows again. The Error code sometimes appears like 0x800f0988(-2146498168). There are several methods to resolve this, but you need to use the step-by-step procedure to fix it.

Method #1. Again Update the Windows

Usually, the Error Code 0x800f0988 issue occurs when you update Windows 10/11. If the update is corrupted or any files are missed, you have to update again from another source.

• Press and hold the Windows Key+ i from the keyboard.
• Immediately, you can see the Windows Settings window.

• Here you have to choose the Update & Security tab.

• Select the Windows update category from the left menu and click on it.
• Click on the Check for Updates option; This will update the Windows.

• The process will take a lot of time, and you have to wait and follow the on-screen instructions.
• After completion of the updating process, you have to restart the system and use it again.

Method #2. Clear the WinSxS Folder

You have to clear the WinSxS folder. If it is cleared, the Error Code 0x800f0988 will be resolved. 0x800f0988 Windows Update 20H2 is also needed to clear the folder.

• Type CMD in the search bar and Open the Command Prompt as an Administrator.

• Right-click on it and choose the option Run as Administrator.
• On the command prompt window, you have to type the command:

 dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup                          

• Now press the Enter button.

After this command executes, the Error will be eliminated. Just boot the system, and after restarting the system, the Windows will update soon. This is a simple way to resolve the Error Code 0x800f0988.

(or)

• Press and hold the Windows Key+ i from the keyboard.
• Now Windows Settings window will appear on the screen.
• You have to choose the Update & Security tab and tap on it there.

• Tap on the Troubleshoot tab present on the left side menu panel.
• You can tap on the Other Troubleshooters.

• Search for the Windows update, and Tap on the Run Button.
• Wait a while to complete the process, reboot the device, and use it.

Method #4. Remove Other Languages to Fix Update Error 0x800f0988

Windows 10 default language is English; if you have selected any prefix languages, that will create the error codes like 0x800f0988. So, you follow the process to set English as a primary language.

• Press the Windows Key + i keys at a time from the keyboard.
• Now Windows Settings window will appear on the screen.

• You have to choose the Time & Language tab.

• Choose the Language from the left side menu.
• Change the preferred Language to English (United States) in the right-side panel.
• Check if it has any other language as default; Just remove it.

• After completing the process, reboot the device to apply the changes. Install the Windows update patches, then you can use it usually.

Method #5. Reset the Windows Update Components

If the Error Code 0x800f0988 is unresolved, you must reset the Windows update components. This will clear the cache.

• Initiate the Run by pressing the Windows & R keys at a time.
• Type cmd on the text boxes and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys from the keyboard. Then, you can open the command prompt with admin privileges.

(or)

• Type cmd on the search bar.
• The Command Prompt icon appears as a search result.
• Right-click on it and choose the option Run as Administrator.

• On the command prompt window, type these commands one after another separately. Block the Background Intelligent Transfer service (BITs), and then block the Windows Update and cryptographic services. Prevent the Server once. The commands are:

net stop bits

net stop wuauserv

Also,

net stop cryptSvc

net stop msiserver

• Change the name of the SoftwareDistribution folder to the croot.
• Execute the below commands to do this:

ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak

ren %systemroot%\system32\croot croot.bak

• Now, the folder name is changed to croot. Go to the C:\Windows\System32 and confirm that the name is changed.
• Now, restart the services which are stopped previously.

net start bits

net start wuauserv

Also,

net start cryptSvc

net start msiserver

• Execute these commands one after another. The services are started one after another.

After completing the resetting process, the update components of the system are completed, and the Error may be resolved.

Method #6. Reset Windows

Sometimes you have to reset the windows when the Error Code 0x800f0988 is not resolved after following the above methods. Error 0x800f0988 on Reddit was also discussed.

• Tap on the Windows Key+ i keys at a time from the keyboard.
• The Windows Settings window will be opened.
• Choose the Update & Security tab.

• Pick up the Recovery tab in it.
• Just tap on the Get Started button under the Reset PC category.

• A popup will ask you to Remove data or Keep your data,
• Keep Your Data means apps are removed, but your data stays safe. At the same time, the Remove data option will also remove your apps & files.
• So you have to choose the option Keep Your Data. Next, follow the instructions on the screen.

This will set the PC to the previous state with default settings. This step will erase all your data files, so Remember that you will lose your apps along with your data.

Method #7. Resolving using the Services window

You can resolve the Error Code 0x800f0988 by using the services window. Make sure you are acknowledged technically, and then you can try this method. Follow these simple steps:

• Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously from the keyboard; This will open the RUN.
• Insert services.msc on the text box and hit OK.

• This will navigate you to the Services Window.

• There, Choose the Windows update option and right-click on it.
• Tap on the Stop option in it; This will prevent the Windows update.

• Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously from the keyboard to open the RUN.
• Type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore and hit the OK button.
• This will navigate to Windows Explorer to the correct place.
• Remove all the data present there.

Go to the Services window again. And restart services.

• Again, search for Windows Update.
• Right-click on it and tap on Start option.

• Mostly this method will resolve the issue.

Method #8. Apply SFC Scan and Repair

You must apply the SFC scan, which will deeply scan and repair your PC to Fix the Error Code 0x800f0988 issue.

• Type cmd on the search bar near.
• The Command Prompt icon appears as a search result.
• Right-click on it and choose the option Run as Administrator.

• Just type the sfc/scannow command onto the Command Prompt and press enter button from the keyboard.

• Scanning and repairing will take some time; wait until the process is complete.
• This will also be repaired.
• Just reboot the PC after the completion of the process. The windows are updated successfully.

Method #9. Clear Downloading Path Using Registry Editor

If you have enough technical knowledge, then only apply this method. Be careful while working since it will delete the system files.

• Press and hold the Windows + R keys simultaneously from the keyboard to open the RUN.
• Type regedit in the text box and hit OK.

• This will navigate you to the Registry Editor.

• Observe the window, and there are folders on the left side panel. Just click on them by following the below path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

• Just tap on the arrow mark before the directory to open it.

• After reaching the path, search for the WUServer and WIStatusServer on the right-side panel
• If you find them, then just clear both of them. Otherwise, you cannot clear the downloading path.
• After deleting them, Restart the PC.

Suppose the above methods do not resolve the issue. Then, you can clear the issue with an In-Place Upgrade. This tool will upgrade the current system to the latest or same edition. With this tool, you will not lose any data or apps.

Method #12. Run the Start Component Cleanup Task using the Task Scheduler

Using Task Scheduler, you can quickly run the start component cleanup task; it remains in the Operating system and offers some time like almost 30 days, before uninstalling the previous component after installing the latest component.

Task manager: You can also do the process with the DISM tool.

Follow the below simple steps to run the start component cleanup task using Task Manager.

• Press the Windows + R keys at a time on the keyboard to launch Run Utility.
• Then enter taskschd.msc and press OK to launch the Task Manager.

• Now move to Library\Microsoft\Windows\Servicing\
• Next, choose the StartComponentCleanup right-click on it, and choose Run.

• It takes some time to complete the process.
• After completion, you need to check for updates and whether the Error is solved.