Windows 10: Error Code 0x80080008 [SOLVED]

Encountering errors on your Windows 10 computer can be frustrating, and one common issue for many Reddit users is error code 0x80080008. This error often occurs when attempting to update or install software on your system.

Error 0x80080008 is a Windows error code displayed during a regular Windows update’s downloading and installing phase. It sabotages the whole process and stops Windows from completely updating while, in some cases, rendering the system unusable for some time.

Only now, it has proven to be generally unharmful for your system, except that an older Windows version doesn’t equip your system with the required protection to fight off ever-evolving malware and viruses. In this guide, I will explain these methods and guide you through troubleshooting. Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways

• Error Code 0x80080008 is a standard Windows 10 update and installation error.
• This error can occur for various reasons, such as corrupted system files or issues with Windows Update components.
• Several methods are available to fix Error Code 0x80080008, including running Windows troubleshooters, resetting Windows update components, and performing a clean boot.

What Causes Error Code 0x80080008?

The error is said to be caused by a Windows file named Wups2.dll included in the new version of Windows 10. The error is displayed if the file has not been installed correctly or if any issues are inside the downloaded file.

How To Fix Error Code 0x80080008?

Below are some of the potential ways to fix the error:

1. Deactivating 3rd party antivirus software.
2. Activating Automatic Updates.
3. Recommencing  Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
4. Carrying out an in-place upgrade.
5. Running an SFC scan.
6. Updating device drivers of your peripherals.

Although this article mainly focuses on Windows 10, most of the methods and actions present can also easily be implemented on Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 (32 and 64-bit OS).

1) Deactivating 3rd Party Antivirus Software

3rd party antivirus software has been reported to interfere with Windows updates. A possible reason for error 0x80080008 can be such applications.

The antivirus might recognize the file Wups2.dll as harmful and not allow it to be correctly installed or might be interfering with its functions. So, according to my testing, I suggest you deactivate all such software and try to update your system again.

1. Go to the “settings” > “disable or deactivate“.
2. Do not worry, as all versions of Windows come equipped with a capable Windows defender and can fend off more threats than these 3rs party apps do anyway.

Nonetheless, if the error remains, it is advisable to delete such software, as even when deactivated, it may still affect the upgrade process. After deleting, check again for the error while updating your device.

2) Activating Automatic Updates

I always avoid this error again by turning on the automatic updates option. When automatic updates are turned off for a system, there are some complications in the Windows updating process, which could cause errors. Aside from this error, it is wise to keep automatic updates on as your system is automatically updated when they are on. To turn on the automatic update feature if it is off, follow these steps:

1. Search settings in the screen’s Window search bar at the bottom left
2. Click on settings; select the  “Update and Security option” at the end once it opens.

   

3. Once there, scroll down and choose “Advanced Options“.

   

4. Select the following option and make sure it is turned on.

   

By following these steps, you may have eliminated error code 0x80080008. To check, allow the update to download automatically and monitor if the error code reappears. If it does, continue following the other mentioned steps.

3) Recommencing Background Intelligent Transfer Service

To successfully install an update, Windows requires the support of many additional services. One such service is the Background Intelligent Transfer Service. This component uses a small bandwidth to allow file transfers inside a system.

In case of an update failure, this service crashes and turns off. Provided that this takes place, you have to restart it again manually. I found this method to fix the error relatively easy if the steps are followed correctly.

Using your keyboard, press the Windows key and R key simultaneously. A run dialogue window will be opened.

1. In the search bar, enter “services. msc” and press Enter.

   

2. Double-click on the Background Intelligent Transfer Service option at number 11 at the top of the options.

   

3. After the new Window opens, check the ‘service status‘; if it is at “stop”, select the start option.
   The image shows the top option in the background intelligent transmission service.
4. Then go to the recovery option and make sure that the First and Second failures have been calibrated to “Restart the Service”.
5. After doing this, try to download the update again; hopefully, this time around, the error code will not return, and your issue will be permanently resolved.

4) Carrying Out An In-place Upgrade.

Carrying out an in-place upgrade is also a tried fix by my team members. An in-place upgrade is when a user manually downloads a needed update through Microsoft’s website. As the update is not through a 3rd party app, it is an entirely secure and safe process. To download it, follow these steps:

1. Head out to the Windows 10 Download page using this link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/
2. Select the ‘Download tool now’ option in blue at the center of the page. Doing this will install a specific ‘Media creation tool’ file.

   

3. After installing that file, open it by clicking on it. This should open up “Microsoft Software License Terms“. Once that happens, choose the “Accept” option.

   

4. This will lead to another window where you will be given two options:

• Upgrade this PC now.
• Create Installation media for another PC.

1. Choose the first option and then click ‘Next‘.

   

2. This will initiate the Downloading process, which may take a few minutes.
3. After downloading, a Windows 10 Setup window will be shown where you must select ‘Keep personal files and apps‘ and then go to Install.

   

4. During the update, there will be multiple restarts to your PC as in a regular update, and once fully installed, you will be back at the home screen of your PC.

This method has been appreciated by many affected users who have praised this as  Error code 0x80080008 was removed, and they could finally use their systems with its new and improved features.

5) Running An SFC Scan

Corrupt files may hijack your update process and prevent it from completing or settling. According to my experience, an SFC is an efficient method to rule out this possibility; it just takes minimal time to run it entirely. It is a reasonably effortless process and can be quickly done by carefully following these steps:

1. Press the Windows and X keys simultaneously to launch the start menu.
2. Select the 10th option from the top of the list, Windows PowerShell (Admin).

   

3. It will escort you to a User Account Control tab, where you must accept the ‘Yes’ option.
4. After accepting the yes option, the Command prompt will open up, and once it fully loads up strictly, type this command: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth. Then press Enter.   

   

5. Once the process due to this command is completed, type SFC/scannow and hit Enter again.
6. All of your systems will be scanned during the process, so be patient, as it can take some time. Do not interrupt the process in the middle, as it can have adverse effects.
7. Once the scan is complete, 3 outcomes will be displayed:

•  Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations. ( Showing that your system is entirely safe and no harmful files were present.)
• Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
• Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but could not fix some.

You’ll need to install the update again if the first or second is displayed. As the corrupt files have been removed, your update will be installed without the error and will be installed successfully.

6) Updating Device Drivers Of Your Peripherals

One of my team members tried to update the device drivers of their connected devices, such as headphones, mice, or components like the graphic card, to eliminate this error, and it worked for them.

It may be causing the error as an older version of the device driver may not be compatible with the newer version of Windows, causing an internal issue within the system not allowing the update to be installed fully.

If this is the case, consider individually checking whether every one of your device’s device drivers is up-to-date or not. If it is outdated, kindly update them and then recheck if the Error code returns by downloading the update again.

Here are our other helpful guides on:

• How To Fix CPU Over temperature Error?
• How To Disable Firewall On Windows?
• How To Fix Error In Match.Names(Clabs, Names(xi))?