While updating the Windows 10 operating system, you can stumble upon the error 0x800F081E – 0x20003. This code can occur for the following two reasons:
- the system does not meet the stated update requirements;
- The files installed on the system are already a version higher than those that are trying to install.
It is worth noting that most often Windows 10 N users encounter error 0x800F081E – 0x20003 when trying to update their system to more advanced versions, for example, Windows 10 Pro.
Solution for error 0x800F081E – 0x20003
First of all, check the log of the received error. To do this, you need to do the following:
- go to directory C: $ WINDOWS. ~ BT Sources Panther ;
- open the text file setuperr.log in Notepad.
According to the statements of the “victims” of the error, somewhere at the end of the log you should see the following lines:
- C: WINDOWS SoftwareDistribution Download 80b2677d6e15a2a206625bb25a7124fe amd64_Microsoft-Windows-MediaPlayer-Package ~~ AMD64 ~~ 10.0.17134.1. Error: 0x800F081E
2019-09-10 20:26:57, Error SP Operation failed: Add [1] package C: WINDOWS SoftwareDistribution Download 80b2677d6e15a2a206625bb25a7124fe amd64_Microsoft-Windows-MediaPlayer-Package ~~ AMD64 ~~ 10.0.17134.1. Error: 0x800F081E[gle=0x000000b7]
These lines indicate that the update was unable to install due to the Windows Media Player package. Of course, in your case, other information may also be indicated, but if you see error 0x800F081E – 0x20003 in the log, then you can use the solutions below.
To solve this problem, you need to remove the Media Feature Pack from the system, which you may have previously installed for some of your needs. If you are the proud owner of Windows N, then this package is completely preinstalled on your system.
Here’s what you need to do to remove the Media Feature Pack from your system:
- press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box;
- write in the appeared window the value “optionalfeatures.exe” and press Enter;
- wait for all the components installed on the system to appear in the Windows Components window;
- find “Windows Media Player” in the list and uncheck it;
- save your changes and restart your computer.
Once you can log in again, try starting the update process. Error 0x800F081E – 0x20003 shouldn’t worry you anymore if the Media Feature Pack was really the cause behind it.