How to Fix 0x800f0831 Windows Update Error When Updating

Facing Error 0x800f0831 while trying to update your Windows? This issue was recently encountered by many users while trying to update Windows. Due to this update, Windows won’t get updated on your PC. If you aren’t getting any updates on your PC, then this error might be why. 

This issue can be triggered for various reasons like conflicting third-party software, less disk space, corrupted system files, issues with Windows Update components, and more.

Fix 0x800f0831 Windows Update Error

Let’s discuss all the troubleshooting steps to fix Windows Update Error 0x800f0831.

Use SFC Scan and DISM Scan

You are likely to face this issue if the system files are corrupted. Run an SFC scan to fix corrupted system files, which will fix the issue. Given below are the steps to do so-

• Press Windows + R keys together to open the Run Dialog Box. 
• Type cmd in the Run Dialog Box and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Command Prompt with administrative privileges. 

• In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter to execute it. 
• Wait for the SFC scan to run, and restart your PC once the process is completed. 

SFC scan should most probably fix the issue, but if it doesn’t, then run the DISM scan by following the steps given below-

• Open the Start Menu on your PC. 
• Search for CMD, right-click Command Prompt from the search result, and then click Run as Administrator. 
• Now, execute the following commands one after another-
  • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth 
  • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• Restart your PC after executing the above commands. 

Reset Windows Update Components

If something’s wrong with the Windows Update Components, then that may also cause this issue. You can restart the Windows Update components to fix this issue. To do so, follow the steps given below-

• Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open Start Menu. 
• Type Command Prompt, select it, and then click Run as administrator. 

• In the Command Prompt window, run the commands given below one-by-one-
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop bits
  • net stop cryptsvc
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start bits
  • net start cryptsvc
  • %systemroot%SoftwareDistributionSoftwareDistribution.bak
  • %systemroot%system32catroot2catroot2.bak
  • net start bits
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start appidsvc
  • net start cryptsvc
• Once done, close Command Prompt. This will restart the Windows Update Component. 

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows have the troubleshooter, an in-built tool to fix issues you might face on your PC. You can run the Windows Update Troubleshooter if you face Windows Update Error 0x800f0831. This can be done by following the steps given below-

• Open the Settings app on your PC; this can be done by pressing Windows + I keys together. 
• Click on the System tab on the left, and then on the right, click on Troubleshoot option. 

• Next, click on Other Troubleshooters. 

• Look for Windows Update troubleshooter from the list of troubleshooters; click on the Run button next to it to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. 

Reset Network Configuration

If your internet is slow and unstable, then that can also cause an update error 0x800f0831. You can reset the network configuration to fix the issue. To do so, follow the steps given below-

• Press Windows key on your keyboard, and then type CMD. 
• From the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and then on Run as Administrators. 
• Here, type and execute the following commands one by one-
  • type netsh winsock reset
  • netsh int ip reset
  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /renew
  • ipconfig /flushdns

• Once done, close the Command Prompt and try updating your PC again. 

Clean Boot Your PC

Sometimes the issue may be with your PC’s third-party apps and services. Such services and apps may conflict with the Windows Update and cause error 0x800f0831. You can clean and boot your PC as this will start without any third-party services and apps, and you will be able to update Windows. To do so, follow the steps given below-

• Click on the Start icon at the taskbar. In the Start Menu, type System Configuration and then press Enter to open it. 

• In the System Configuration window, click on the Services tab. 
• Check the Hide all Microsoft Services checkbox and then click the Disable All button.

• Click on the Startup tab, and then click on Open Task Manager. 

• You will see a list of programs that starts when your PC boots up; you will have to disable them. 
• Select the first startup program and then click on Disable. Similarly, disable all the programs listed here. 

• Restart your PC to boot it without third-party services and startup programs. You should now be able to update the Windows. 

Manually Install Updates

If you are still unable to install the updates, you can try manually installing the updates on your Windows PC. You can manually download and install the updates through the Microsoft Update Catalog, but you will need the KB number. If you don’t know what that is and what’s the process to install the Windows update manually, then you can follow the steps given below-

• Press Windows + I key combo to open Settings. 
• Click on Windows Update on the left, and then on the right, click on Check for Updates. 

• You will see the update here. To the right of the update will be the KB number written in brackets. The KB number will start with the letters KB with seven numbers next to it; copy this number. 
• Now, click this link to head to the Microsoft Update Catalog website. 
• In the search bar, type the KB number and click the Search button.

• All the related search results will be listed here; click on the Download button next to the update you want to download. 

Note– Download and install the update compatible with your system. You must check your system’s architecture, i.e., 64-bit or 86-bit.

• Once the update has been downloaded, head to where the file is saved and double-click on the downloaded file to run the setup. 
• You can now follow the on-screen instructions to install the update manually. 

Conclusion

These were all the troubleshooting steps to fix Windows Update Error 0x800f0831. If you have been getting this error while updating your Windows, the above guide will help you fix it. Follow the steps above to fix the issue you have been facing with Windows Update. 

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