Solved: How do I fix Windows Server 2019 Cumulative Update failed with Error 0x800f0985

Problem Symptom

Windows Server 2019 will not install Cumulative update. failed after gets to 100%. I’ve troubleshot through GUI and PowerShell. When trying to install KB5005030, KB5005102, KB5005112, KB5009557, and KB5005030, it eventually fails with the update failed error 0x800F0985.

The detailed error message is as below:

Windows Update

Updates failed

There were problems installing some updates, but we’ll try again later.

Cumulative Update for Windows Server 2019 for x64-based Systems – Error 0x800f0985

From the Windows Event Viewer, it generates an Error entry Event ID 20 as shown below:

Follow the below solution steps to resolve Windows Server 2019 Cumulative Update failed with Error 0x800f0985 issue.

Content Summary

Solution 1: Reset Windows Update components manually
Solution 2: Repair Windows Update using SFCFix tool
Solution 3: Escalate to Microsoft Support
Reference

Solution 1: Reset Windows Update components manually

Step 1: Refer to this Microsoft Docs to reset Windows Update components manually.

Step 2: Install the latest SSU KB5000859: Servicing stack update for Windows 10, version 1809: March 9, 2021.

Step 3: Restart Windows Server 2019.

Step 4: Manually download and install the latest CU KB5001568 from Microsoft update catalog, this update fixes the known issue which might cause a blue screen when you attempt to print to certain printers using some apps.

Solution 2: Repair Windows Update using SFCFix tool

Step 1: Download the latest version of SFCFix and save it to your Desktop.

Step 2: Open SFCFix and click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt which appears.

Step 3: SFCFix will now open and guide you through the rest of the process. SFCFix will complete and report on whether it found any corruptions.

Step 4: SFCFix will open a log file called SFCFix.txt giving technical details on any problems which were found.

Step 5: Open Start, search for Command Prompt, right-click it and select the Run as administrator option.

Step 6: Type the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 7: Run below commands on the command prompt to restart windows update services:
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc
net stop wuauserv
net stop msiserver
Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
net start bits
net start cryptsvc
net start wuauserv
net start msiserver

Step 8: Restart your PC.

Solution 3: Escalate to Microsoft Support

Open a request ticket with Microsoft support.

Reference

Microsoft Docs > Q&A > Server 2019 Cumulative Updates failing every month