System updates are released to Windows devices based on the Windows quality update servicing cadence. If a Windows update fails to install with the error code 0x8007023e when you try to install an update on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC, then this post is intended to help you with effective solutions you can apply to fix the error.
Fix Windows Update error 0x8007023e
If you have encountered the Windows Update error 0x8007023e when installing the monthly update on your Windows 11/10 device, then you can be able to fix the problem by applying our recommended solutions presented below in no particular order.
- Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
- Reset the Windows Update components
- Use the DISM Tool to repair Windows Update client
- Download & install the update from Microsoft Update Catalog website
- Run Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant.
Let’s take a look at the description of the troubleshooting methods listed.
1] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Just like the other native automated troubleshooters that ship with Windows 11/10 to help PC users resolve specific issues when you try to install the latest updates from Windows Update, you will sometimes receive an error message. The Windows Update Troubleshooter is designed to resolve many of these errors including the error 0x8007023e.
To run Windows Update Troubleshooter on your Windows 11 device, do the following:
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Under the Most frequent section, find Windows Update.
- Click the Run button.
- Follow on-screen instructions and apply any recommended fixes.
To run the Windows Update Troubleshooter on your Windows 10 device, do the following:
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Go to Update and Security.
- Click the Troubleshooter tab.
- Scroll down and click on Windows Update.
- Click the Run the troubleshooter button.
- Follow on-screen instructions and apply any recommended fixes.
2] Reset the Windows Update components
One of the known major causes of Windows update errors is corrupted Windows Update components/cache. In this case, to resolve the issue, you should purge out the cache files inside the update folders which is resetting the Windows Update components to their defaults. Below is the summary of all the steps you need to take to perform this task on your Windows 11/10 computer:
- Stop Windows Update Services
- Delete the qmgr*.dat files
- Flush the SoftwareDistribution and catroot2 folders
- Reset the BITS service and the Windows Update service to the default security descriptor
- Re-register the BITS files and the Windows Update-related DLL files
- Delete incorrect Registry values
- Reset Winsock
- Restart Windows Update Services
After you complete the steps above and reboot your system, you can manually check for updates again and install any available bits on your device. If the update(s) fails again, you can proceed with the next solution.
3] Download & install the update from Microsoft Update Catalog
If you are having issues installing Windows system updates on your PC via Windows Update in the Settings app, one way to go is to manually download the update by searching the Microsoft Update Catalog using the update KB number. Once you have downloaded the update standalone package installer, you can then run the file to install the update on your Windows 11/10 PC.
4] Use the DISM Tool to repair Windows Update client
Corrupted Windows update system files could be the cause of the error in focus. This solution requires you to fix corrupted Windows Update system files using the DISM Tool. You’ll have to run the command below in the elevated command prompt to replace potentially corrupted or missing system files with good ones.
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
If your Windows Update client is already broken, you will have to run the following command instead:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:RepairSourceWindows /LimitAccess
The RepairSource placeholder can be a running Windows installation or a Windows side-by-side folder from a network share, as the source of the files.
5] Run Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant
This solution requires you to run the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant and see if the automated tool helps resolve the issue at hand.
The tool is designed to help PC users resolve issues with Windows 11/10, if:
- You can’t activate Windows
- You can’t Update Windows
- You can’t install Feature Upgrade
How do I fix a Windows update error?
If you get an error code while downloading and installing Windows updates on your PC, you can run the Windows Update Troubleshooter and see if that helps resolve the issue. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. An example of a Windows update error code is 800b0109 which occurs due to malware infection or corrupted Windows update components.
What causes Windows Update failure?
You are likely to experience Windows update failures on your Windows 11/10 device due to insufficient drive space. In this case, the issue can be resolved by freeing up drive space. Also, if updates are failing to install on your device, it could be due to corrupt or missing system files. System files are crucial to the smooth running of the OS on your device.
How do you remove a Windows Update that keeps failing?
You can remove a Windows Update that keeps failing on your device by uninstalling the update via the Settings app or using the command prompt. In the case whereby you can’t boot to the desktop, you can uninstall the update via Advanced Startup Options. To do this, you will have to boot interrupt your PC to bring you to the Windows Recovery Environment. On the screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options and choose Uninstall Updates.
What if I turn off the computer while updating?
Whether intentional or accidental, if your PC shuts down or reboots during the update installation, the Windows OS can get corrupted, and you could lose data. You may not want to close the laptop lid while updating either. Although, this depends on how your power settings are configured for the When I close the lid function.