Windows 11 Upgrade Fails with Error 0Xc1900208? Here’s How to Fix It

Seeing the error code0xc1900208when you’re performing a Windows update? Don’t worry… Although it’s incredibly frustrating, you’re definitely not the only one to experience this problem. Thousands of Windows 10 users have recently reported the very same issue. More importantly, you should be able to fix it pretty easily…

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Fixes to try

Here’s a list of fixes that have resolved this problem for other Windows 10 users. You don’t have to try them all. Just work your way through the list until you find the one that does the trick for you.

1. Run Windows Update troubleshooter
2. Restart the Windows Update service
3. Run the DISM tool
4. Running System File Checker
5. Downloading updates from Microsoft Update Catalog manually
6. Want us to fix the problem for you?

Fix 1: Run Windows Update troubleshooter

This is the quickest and easiest fix to try when you’re seeing the error code 0xc1900208. Windows Update troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows operating system that can automatically diagnose and resolve any issues regarding Windows Update. Follow the instructions below to run Windows Update troubleshooter:

1. On your keyboard, pressthe Windows logo key and typetroubleshoot . In the list of search results, select Troubleshoot .
2. In the pop-up window, selectWindows Update and clickRun the troubleshooter . You’ll be prompted for permission. ClickYes to runWindows Update troubleshooter .

3. ClickApply this fix .
   Windows Update troubleshooter will try to fix the issue for you. You can restart your PC and try to perform a Windows update again. If it still doesn’t work, try the next fix, below.

Fix 2: Restart the Windows Update service

You may see the error code 0xc1900208 if there is something wrong with the Windows Update service. Try restarting the Windows Update service to see if you can resolve this problem. Here’s how to do it:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog, then type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
2. Right-click Windows Update and select Stop if its current status is “Running”. If the Windows Update service is not running, please skip this step.
3. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and E at the same time to open File Explorer . Copy the path below and paste it in the address bar, then press Enter on your keyboard to go to the DataStore folder.C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
   
   Please paste it in the address bar.
4. Delete all the files in the folder DataStore .
   
   When all the files are deleted, you shall see “This folder is empty”.

5. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and E at the same time to open File Explorer . Copy the path below and paste it in the address bar, then press Enter on your keyboard to open the Download folder.C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
   
   Please paste it in the address bar.
6. Delete all the files in the folder Download .
   
   When all the files are deleted, you shall see “This folder is empty”.

Perform a Windows update again. If it still doesn’t work, try the next fix.

Fix 3: Run the DISM tool

The error code 0xc1900208 can also be triggered by the corrupted Windows update files. In this case, running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool may resolve this issue. Just follow the step-by-step instructions below to run the DISM tool:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and then press Ctrl , Shift , and Enter on your keyboard at the same time to run Command Prompt as administrator . You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run Command Prompt .
2. On your keyboard, type the command lines below one by one and press Enter .

1. Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
   When you run command mentioned above, the DISM tool will scan all the system files and compare them with official system files. The function of this command line is to see if the system file on your PC is consistent with its official source or not. This command line doesn’t fix the corruption.
   
   It may take several minutes for this command operation to be completed.
2. Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
   When you run the command line Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth , the DISM tool will check whether your Windows 10 image exists corruptions or not. This command line also doesn’t repair the corrupted files.
   
   It may take several minutes for this command operation to be completed.
3. Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   The command lineDism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth tells the DISM tool to try to repair the corrupted files detected. It will replace the corrupted files with the files from official source online.
   
   It may take several minutes for this command operation to be completed.
4. Close Command Prompt when the restore operation completed.
   See if you can perform a Windows update. If this issue persists, try running the System File Checker.

Fix 4: Running System File Checker

System File Checker can scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files. When you see the error code 0xc1900208, it may be caused by some corruption error. Running System File Checker may help you resolve this issue. Here is how to do it:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and then type cmd in the search box. When you see Command Prompt in the list of results, right-click it and then select Run as administrator . You will be prompted for permission. Click OK to run Command Prompt .
2. On your keyboard, type the following command and press Enter .

sfc /scannow
It may take some time for the command operation to be completed.

3. When this command operation is completed, close Command Prompt .
Run Windows Update again to check whether this fix works or not. If you still fail to install updates for your Windows system, don’t worry. Try the next fix.

Fix 5: Downloading updates from Microsoft Update Catalog manually

You can try downloading the updates you failed to install fromMicrosoft Update Catalog and install them manually. Here is how to do it:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and type Windows Update . Then press Enter to openWindows Update window.
2. Click View update history to check the updates you failed to install. For example, if you fail to install update KB3006137, you can download the update and install it manually.
3. Before you download the update, follow the instructions below to view your system type:
   1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
   2. Type the command line systeminfo and press Enter to view your system type.
      “X64-based PC ” indicates that your Windows OS is64-bit ; “X86-based PC ” means that your Windows OS is32-bit .
4. Visit Microsoft Update Catalog .
5. Type the update number that you want to download. In this example, type KB 3006137 and then click Search .
6. In the list of search results, select right update for your operating system and click Download .
   If yourWindows OS is 64-bit , you should download the update whose name contains “x64-based ”.
   
7. In the pop-up window, click the link to start downloading the updates.
8. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.

See if the error code 0xc1900208 reappears. If this error persists, try the next fix.

Pro tip: Want us to fix the problem for you?

If none of the fixes above worked, or you just don’t have the time or confidence to troubleshoot the problem for yourself, get us to fix it for you. All you need to do is buy a 1-year subscription to Driver Easy (just $29.95) and you get free technical support as part of your purchase. This means you can contact our computer technicians directly and explain your problem, and they’ll investigate to see if they can resolve it remotely.

IMPORTANT: Please attachthe URL of this article when you contact us, so we could help you resolve the problem ASAP. You can expect us to respond within two working days.

You can contact us easily via theDriver Easy Feedback tool . To learn how to use this tool, please visit this link: https://www.drivereasy.com/help55/feedback/ .

• Windows 10
• Windows Update

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