Error 0x800f0831 is typically seen by users in System Event Viewer after a failed cumulative update for Windows has been installed.
Causes of Error 0x800f0831
The most common reason for 0x800f0831 today is a missing manifest from a previous service pack. In other words, Windows Update cannot understand what specific update was installed earlier, and therefore it refuses to install a new one. Everything is solved by manually installing the required update.
Other reasons include:
- Unable to connect to Windows Update servers.
- the service of the Update Center is disabled;
- .NET 3.5 Framework libraries are missing on the system.
How to fix error 0x800f0831
Method # 1 Installing the required update manually
The easiest method to resolve this error is to manually install the problematic update. Open the update log in the Update Center and find out the update number with which your system gets error 0x800f0831.
For example, users often complain about this bug with update number KB4512489. Either way, as soon as you know the number, go to this link and find the update you want. Next, you just need to download the update package and start the installation.
Method # 2 Disable VPN or proxy
Everything is pretty simple here: turn off the VPN or proxy server if you are using them on your computer. The fact is that these tools can literally block the connection to the Update servers, which makes it impossible to update the Windows OS.
Here’s how to disable the proxy server on your computer:
- press Win + S to call the search bar;
- write down “proxy” and select “Proxy server settings”;
- disable the proxy server by setting “Off” next to the corresponding option;
- restart your computer.
You will have to disable the VPN from third-party developers yourself. Once the VPN and proxy are deactivated, try updating your Windows again. This time, error 0x800f0831 may not be present.
Method # 3 Adjusting the Update Center Service Settings
The Update Center service may have stopped working on your system for one reason or another. For example, some software may deactivate certain services in Windows. You need to open the properties of the service and set the required parameters for it. Try this:
- press Win + R;
- write down services.msc and press Enter;
- find the “Windows Update” service and double-click on it with LMB;
- select “Automatic” in the startup type;
- save changes and restart your PC.
Run Windows Update and check for error 0x800f0831.
Method # 4 SFC and DISM
System files and the Windows Component Store may have become corrupted. You need to bring the SFC and DISM tools to work in order to restore them. You can do it like this:
- press Windows + R;
- write cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter;
- run the following series of commands, restarting your PC after each one:
- sfc / scannow
- dism / online / cleanup-image / restorehealth
Method # 5 Enabling .NET Framework 3.5
Error 0x800f0831 when updating Windows can occur if the .NET Framework 3.5 is deactivated on your system. To activate it, you need to do the following:
- press Win + R and execute appwiz.cpl;
- click on the link “Enabling and disabling Windows components”;
- activate .NET Framework 3.5 and save changes;
- restart your computer.
If you failed to enable .NET Framework 3.5 using the above method, then try the following:
- create Windows installation media;
- press Win + R;
- write down notepad.exe and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter;
- paste this set of commands into Notepad:
- @echo off
Title .NET Framework 3.5 Offline Installer
for %% I in (DEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWX YZ) do if exist “%% I: \ sources install.wim” set setupdrv = %% I
if defined setupdrv (
echo Found drive% setupdrv%
echo Installing .NET Framework 3.5 …
Dism / online / enable-feature / featurename: NetFX3 / All / Source: PLACEHOLDER: sources sxs / LimitAccess
echo.
echo .NET Framework 3.5 should be installed
echo.
) else (
echo No installation media found!
echo Insert DVD or USB flash drive and run this file once again.
echo.
)
pause
- @echo off
The note: replace PLACEHOLDER with the letter that signed your Windows installation media.
- save the file to any place convenient for you and (be sure!) change its extension to .cmd;
- double click on the created file and wait for the completion of the .NET Framework 3.5 activation process;
- restart your computer.
Run Windows update and see if error 0x800f0831 occurs again.