Error code 0x800f020b: resolution in Windows 10 and 11

Error code 0x800f020b is usually synonymous with update issues with Windows components, or bad Windows updates. Overall, it is impossible to determine the concrete origin of such an error, but there are different solutions to correct it. Learn with us how to fix error 0x800f020b in Windows using troubleshooters and repair tools or updating drivers.

When can error code 0x800f020b appear?¶

Typically, Windows updates are automatic. However, you may encounter relatively mysterious error codes, such as 0x800f0831 or 0x803f8001. There is no reason to panic! However, as updates serve to eliminate operating system vulnerabilities and to offer new features, we nevertheless advise you not to ignore this error. Error 0x800f020b can be common when you update your Windows system.

If this error code appears, most of the time it indicates a problem related to updating external hardware drivers. If you use a printer or scanner, for example, these devices could be the cause of such a problem. In some cases, even if you don’t have a printer, you may still encounter this error. If your update is interrupted, this may impact computing power, but also prevent further updates. So, discover with us the solutions that you can try to remedy this problem.

Solutions to Fix Error 0x800f020b¶

You can try the following solutions to fix error code 0x800f020b:

Disable updating¶

You can try to disable update causing the error. This way, it cannot be reinstalled, and no errors will appear. To do this, simply do the following:

1. Access Windows Settings by pressing the keys [Windows] + [I]then to “Update & Security” (for Windows 10) or “Windows Update” (for Windows 11).
2. Next, click “Show update history” (for Windows 10) or “Update history” (for Windows 11).
3. Go to “Uninstall updates”; from the list, select the driver update in question (if the error is coming from an external device).
4. With your mouse, right-click on the update, and select the “Uninstall” option.
5. So this update should not be reinstalled and you should no longer encounter this error.
6. Under “Uninstall update”, you can also decide to remove it completely.

Reinstall the driver causing the problem¶

Don’t want to just uninstall the driver update? You can proceed to relocation.

1. Start by right-clicking “Start” (for Windows 10) or the Windows icon (for Windows 11) in the taskbar.
2. Open Device Manager and expand the “Print Queues:” section.
3. Then find your printer, and select it using a right click.
4. Click “Uninstall device”, then click “Uninstall” again.
5. Restart your computer.
6. Now open Device Manager again and right-click on your printer, still under “Print Queues:”.
7. This time select “Update driver”.
8. If Windows cannot find the current driver, then you just need to download it directly from the manufacturer’s page.

Use Windows SFC and DISM tools¶

In some cases, the error code may arise from damaged system files. To repair these files or reset them, Windows offers two repair tools, SFC (System File Checker“system file checker” in French) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management“Management and maintenance of deployment images” in French).

1. Using the keys [Ctrl] + [R], open Command Prompt and type “cmd”. Confirm your entry with the keys [Ctrl] + [Maj] + [Entrée] to use this command prompt with your administrator rights.
2. Then enter the CMD command “sfc /scannow”.
3. Wait for the scan to complete before restarting your computer.
4. If Windows does not find any damaged files, call the command prompt again and enter the commands below (validating them each time using the key [Entrée]):

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Checkhealth
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

5. Restart your device and check if the error appears again.

Use the Troubleshooter to update Windows¶

Windows Troubleshooter is a classic solution when it comes to fixing update errors.

1. Use the Windows search bar to access the utility.
2. Then select “Additional troubleshooters” (for Windows 10) or “Other troubleshooters” (for Windows 11).
3. Click “Windows Update”, then “Run”; Troubleshooting is then done specifically for that Windows component.
4. Apply the suggested solutions, then wait until everything is finished before restarting your computer.

Reset update components¶

If the error concerns Windows update componentsit may be wise to reset them :

1. Use the keys [Ctrl] + [R] To open the command prompt, enter “cmd” and confirm your entry using the keys [Ctrl] + [Maj] + [Entrée].
2. Then deactivate each of the update components in turn using the CMD commands below (confirm your entry each time with the key [Entrée]):

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\\Windows\\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\\Windows\\System32\\catroot2 Catroot2.old

3. Activate the components by entering the commands below:

net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

4. Finally, restart your computer.

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