How to fix error 0x800f020b in Windows

The error code 0x800f020b usually indicates problems updating Windows components or faulty Windows updates. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause sometimes, which is why it makes sense to have various possible solutions at hand. We explain how error 0x800f020b can be fixed using the troubleshooter in Windows, repair tools and a driver update.

When does the error code 0x800f020b occur?

Windows updates usually run automatically. Nevertheless, you may be confronted with cryptic error codes like 0x800f0831 or 0x803f8001. Just because you receive an error message doesn’t mean there’s cause for panic. However, since updates close security holes in the operating system and add new features, the error should not be ignored. A common error that may occur when updating your Windows system is 0x800f020b.

If the error code appears, there is usually a problem with the update for external hardware drivers. Printers or scanners, for example, can be responsible for this. Sometimes the error can even occur when you’re not using a printer. Since a blocked update can affect the computing performance and prevent further updates, it’s important to find a solution. In the next section, we ‘ll go over different solutions that you can try in order to fix the problem.

Tip

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Solutions for fixing error 0x800f020b

The following solutions can fix the error code 0x800f020b:

Hide the update

Try hiding the update that is causing the error. This will prevent it from being reinstalled and the error from occurring in the first place. Here’s how to hide the update:

  1. Open the Windows settings with [Windows] + [i] and go to Update & security (Windows 10) or Windows Update (Windows 11).
  2. Select the item View update history (Windows 10) or Update history (Windows 11).
  3. Go to Uninstall updates and if an external device is causing the 0x800f020b error, select the corresponding driver update from the list.
  4. Right-click on the update and then on Hide updates.
  5. The system should not try to install the update again, meaning that the error should no longer occur.
  6. You can also remove the update completely under Uninstall updates.

Reinstall the driver that caused the problem

If you want to do more than just hide the driver update, you can also reinstall it.

  1. To do this, right-click on Start (Windows 10) or on the Windows window icon (Windows 11) in the taskbar.
  2. In the Device Manager, expand the Open print queue item.
  3. Find your printer and select it by right-clicking on it.
  4. Go to Uninstall device and click on Uninstall.
  5. Restart your PC.
  6. Now open the Device Manager again and right-click on your printer under Open printer queues.
  7. Click on Update driver.
  8. If Windows can’t find the current driver, simply download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s site.

Use Windows tools SFC and DISM

Sometimes damaged system files may be causing the error code. To repair or reset files, Windows offers the repair tools SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management).

  1. Open the command prompt via [Ctrl] + [R] and enter ‘cmd’. Confirm with [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Enter] to use the command prompt with administrator rights.
  2. Enter the CMD command sfc /scannow.
  3. Wait until the scan is completed and then restart the computer.
  4. If Windows does not find any damaged files, open the command prompt, enter the following commands and confirm each command with [Enter]:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Checkhealth
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
bash
  1. Restart your computer again and check if the error still occurs.

Windows update troubleshooting

A classic way to fix update errors is to use Windows Troubleshooter.

  1. Access the troubleshooter by searching for it in the task bar.
  2. Now select Additional troubleshooters (Windows 10) or Other troubleshooters (Windows 11).
  3. Select Windows Update and go to Run to perform the troubleshooting specifically for this Windows component.
  4. Now follow the suggested corrections and restart the computer after the troubleshooting is finished.

Reset update components

If the error is in the update component of Windows, resetting the Windows update components may help:

  1. Open the command prompt via [Ctrl] + [R], enter ‘cmd’ and confirm with [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Enter].
  2. Now deactivate the update components one after the other by entering the following CMD commands and confirming each with [Enter]:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\\Windows\\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\\Windows\\System32\\catroot2 Catroot2.old
bash
  1. Then activate the components with the following commands:
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
bash
  1. Now restart your computer.

Please note the legal disclaimer relating to this article.

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