Windows Update Error 0x80080005 — Server Execution Failed

Windows Update error 0x80080005 indicates a DCOM server execution failure preventing the Windows Update service from functioning properly. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: Error 0x80080005 maps to SERVER_EXEC_FAILURE in Windows COM subsystem. The Windows Update COM server cannot be instantiated or executed. Often related to BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) failures. Can occur when Windows Update DLLs are not properly registered. Windows Store and other services depending on COM may also be affected. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) not running or corrupted. Windows Update DLL files not properly registered in the COM subsystem. Corrupted Windows Update agent components. Third-party software interfering with COM server execution. Windows Update service account permissions incorrectly set. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Re-register Windows Update DLLs: run elevated cmd and execute regsvr32 wuaueng.dll, regsvr32 wuapi.dll, regsvr32 wups.dll. Reset BITS service: net stop bits && net start bits. Reset Windows Update components: stop wuauserv, cryptSvc, bits, msiserver then rename SoftwareDistribution and catroot2 folders. Run SFC /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Reset Windows Update agent using the official Microsoft Reset Windows Update Tool. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our Windows Error Codes collection on Error Codes Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.