Solved Windows Update fails to update, error code 800F081F

[Mookeylee]

My Windows Update has been failing to update for a while now and I can't seem to find the solution. Here's the run-down of what happens step by step:

1. Launch an update scan for Windows Update
2. It scans for a few seconds then says:
   

   Install new Windows Update software
   
   To check for updates, you must first install an update for Windows Update.

3. Once I click Install it begins to "Install and Update," but then immediately returns to "Checking for Updates."
4. The next box I see says:
   

   Windows could not search for new updates
   
   An error occurred while checking
   for new updates for your
   computer.
   
   Error(s) found:
   Code 800F081F

This happens every time I've attempted to update. After looking up the error code, I found the main Windows site that gave me the following explaination:
If you receive Windows Update error 800F081F, it means that Windows Update or Microsoft Update cannot determine the cryptographic service provider, or a file Windows Update requires (named catalog store) is corrupted.

I've looked through multiple Windows forums and How-To's and have tried all the fixes I found. SURT, sfc/ scannow, the standalone download for WU, Windows Update Diagnostic, multiple malware scans, and Microsoft Fixit. Ultimately, I always get the same error code, (800F081F).

I should also say this problem has been here for a few months now, and it's becoming more worrisome as more time passes. The longer I wait to get this fixed, the more I fear I will be hurting my computer.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated, and I will do my best to cooperate with any instructions or requests.

Thank you.

Mookey

 

[wben353]

Hi Mookeylee & welcome to Sevenforums.

Please follow Windows Update Posting Instructions

We need to see the logs to determine the cause of the error.

Worst case scenario, and last resort, repair install windows 7. No big deal I just did 2 yesterday win7x64 Home Premium. Brink posted a great tutorial Repair Install.

 

[Mookeylee]

Hi Mookeylee & welcome to Sevenforums.

Please follow Windows Update Posting Instructions

We need to see the logs to determine the cause of the error.

Worst case scenario, and last resort, repair install windows 7. No big deal I just did 2 yesterday win7x64 Home Premium. Brink posted a great tutorial Repair Install.

Sorry, I forgot to tag the logs in with my initial post. They are up now, though.

 

[wben353]

Well, I was going to say don't see logs. Didn't look at your previous post. Duh

 

[wben353]

Here's the missing manifest and winsxs folder/files:

1. Open Packs.zip extract to desktop
2. If the below directory/folder CheckSUR does not exist create it.
3. If the below directory/folder servicing does not exist create it.
4. Copy and paste winsxs folder into: C:\Windows\Temp\CheckSUR\
5. Copy and paste manifests folder into: C:\Windows\Temp\CheckSUR\servicing
6. run SURT again.
7. Download packages.zip
8. Please post CheckSUR.log located at: C:\Windows\Logs\CBS

To create a folder right click inside window. Popup choose new>folder. right-click new folder, popup choose rename. Type the appropriate folder name. Press <enter>

 

[Mookeylee]

Here's the missing manifest and winsxs folder/files:

1. Open Packs.zip extract to desktop
2. If the below directory/folder CheckSUR does not exist create it.
3. If the below directory/folder servicing does not exist create it.
4. Copy and paste winsxs folder into: C:\Windows\Temp\CheckSUR\
5. Copy and paste manifests folder into: C:\Windows\Temp\CheckSUR\servicing
6. run SURT again.
7. Download packages.zip
8. Please post CheckSUR.log located at: C:\Windows\Logs\CBS

To create a folder right click inside window. Popup choose new>folder. right-click new folder, popup choose rename. Type the appropriate folder name. Press <enter>

Did everything you said and still got the same results and error code (800F081F). #7 confused me a bit, though. Don't know if that zip file is the same as the Packs.zip you already provided, so I'm skipping right to #8 for now. Anyways, here are the logs.

 

[wben353]

Was up from 4:30 am, long day, mistake on #7.
Doesn't appear as though SURT picked up the folders.
Maybe incorrect placement of folders.
To alleviate possible errors in file/folder placement try this:

1. Download SFC.fix.exe by Niemiro and place it on your desktop.
2. Download attachment to desktop as well.
3. Drag & drop SFCfix.zip (attachment on top of SFCfix.exe (download).
4. Please post SFCfix.txt.

If that doesn't correct your issue. Repair install may be in order.
Repair install preservers all your programs, files, folders, pictures, music,video, etc.

 

[Mookeylee]

I understand, man. It's all good.

Sorry for the delayed responses, but I had errands to run in town. Anyways, I did as you asked. Here is the file.

 

[wben353]

Not a problem with the delay, I have a life to besides here.
Awesome,
Gotta give Niemiro kudos for the SFCfix.exe at Sysnative Forum.
Run SURT again and post just the CheckSUR.log & see how we did.
C:\Windows\Temp\CheckSUR\CheckSUR.log
Still no luck on the other missing files.
Your error code has multiple reasons.

 

[Mookeylee]

It looks like nothing really changed unfortunately. At least from what I can tell.

Tell me again exactly where to place the files you provided in the packs.zip. I'm not confident I placed them in the right location.

The winsxs folder is placed in C:\Windows\Temp\CheckSUR, overwriting the files already there.
The Manifest files are place in C:\Windows\Temp\CheckSUR\servicing, (a folder I had to create, mind you).

But there is also the MSU folder that contains a servicing subfolder with both manifests and Packages folders. Then there is also the Manifests folder in my winsxs folder. All in all I'm second guessing my original placement and wondering if I need to place the files you provided me in another section.

 

[wben353]

You performed AWESOMELY here's the relevant part of the CheckSUR log.

Checking Component Store
(f) CSI Payload File Missing 0x00000000 wsnmp32.dll amd64_microsoft-windows-snmp-winsnmp-api_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_3e738280d941fcaf
(f) CSI Payload File Missing 0x00000000 aspnetca.exe wow64_microsoft-windows-iis-sharedlibraries_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_79642285ffd2a388

If you look at the SFCfix.log you will see numerous missing/corrupt files, now there is only two, and were most likely missed by me in the search for replacement files. I'll see if I can find them and get back to you. If I don't have them, NoelDP should, he's the expert here. I'm training/learning on windows updates issues on another forum. I try to help as far as I am able.

 

[wben353]

Success found files,

Download the attachment and open "Files" to your desktop.
Run SFCfix.exe by Niemiro.
Post SFCfix.txt.
SFCfix will find the files, cut & paste them automatically.

If you still get error code, most likely you will have to do repair install win7. Piece of cake I do them all the time, with some minor issues to fix, usually uninstall and reinstall programs, or with Avast repair. most important part choose the version of windows you are running Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, etc. & Upgrade option, doesn't actually upgrade it just reinstalls windows, saves all your programs, files, folders, music, video, etc.

 

[Mookeylee]

Success found files,

Download the attachment and open "Files" to your desktop.
Run SFCfix.exe by Niemiro.
Post SFCfix.txt.
SFCfix will find the files, cut & paste them automatically.

I don't see the attachment you're talking about. Did it fail to upload?

 

[wben353]

Oops, let me try that again. Forgot to click Upload

Here you go.

 

[Mookeylee]

It's alright, I've done the same thing.

Here's the SFCfix.txt file. I'm not a professional, but I'm seeing a lot of Successful's in the txt file and I'm hoping that's a good thing. Did we fix the problem?

 

[wben353]

Appears as though the mising files have been replaced.
run SFCfix.exe again, should come back no errors found.
Post SFCfix.txt again.
If there are no more corrupt/missing files indicated in the log try running windows update manually again. If you receive the same error code a repair install may be in order. By the way, Microsoft site on this error code recommends repair install as the fix. There is a plethora of issues that may be the root cause, some not repairable without "repair install".

It saves all your installed programs, files, folders, music, video, pictures, etc. If there is an issue after repair install you can revert to the way it was. All your old settings are saved in Windows.old.

I've performed 3 repair installs the last few days, piece of cake, with only minor, easily correctable issues, i.e. uninstall & reinstall Windows Media Player & Adobe Flash Player. Avast free antivirus run on 2 of the machines had side-by-side configuration problem. Solution, open Control Panel, choose Avast, click Change, click Repair, when Avast started it indicated Some shields were not activated. Solution click Resolve All & wait a few minutes. Had to reenter activation code for Desktop, as windows was saying the key I entered was invalid, checked key I entered with Visual Basic script I have, was exactly what I entered. Reentered key, key was checked automatically to Microsoft and came back valid, windows genuine.

 

[Mookeylee]

So I ran it again and there weren't any errors that I could see. I tried manually launching Windows Update again, but unfortunately it's still giving off the same error code. I was hoping we could fix it without a repair install, but I guess that's the only choice left.

A repair install will keep all of my personal files, correct? I have a lot of important work files and about 400gb of games installed and it would be awful if I lost them.

 

[wben353]

Looks like you posted the old SFCFix.txt as it has mucho replacements.
Here sfcfix.txt from my Desktop PC:

SFCFix version 2.4.5.0 by niemiro.
Start time: 2015-11-03 17:55:20.249
Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1 - amd64
Not using a script file.




AutoAnalysis::
SUMMARY: No corruptions were detected.
AutoAnalysis:: directive completed successfully.




Successfully processed all directives.
SFCFix version 2.4.5.0 by niemiro has completed.
Currently storing 11 datablocks.
Finish time: 2015-11-03 17:56:46.099
----------------------EOF-----------------------

That's what it should look like if no issues are present.
Do you know how to do repair install?

 

[wben353]

Yes, all your personal files, folders, music, video, pictures, etc. will be preserved, they are also stored in Windows.Old which you can use to revert your system to as it is now.

I'm off to the store to obtain ingredients for dinner, 6 pm here in Michigan. Be back in a few.

Brink posted an excellent tutorial on Repair Install. You might want to check it out in the meantime.

Do you have win7x64 installation disc?

Do you have your 25 character Microsoft Product Key?

Can help you with both disc and key if you don't have them!

 

[Mookeylee]

My bad, I ran SFCfix using the earlier script files. Running it again now, but it's taking a bit.
Just finished running it. Here's the new .txt file.

And I have my Windows verification key but not the installation disc. I actually don't have a working CD drive at the moment, either.