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Windows Update Error 0x80080005 — Server Connection and Service Errors

Warningupdate

Overview

Fix Windows Update error 0x80080005 when the update service fails to connect to Microsoft servers or encounters Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) issues.

Key Details

  • Error 0x80080005 indicates the Windows Update client failed to connect or authenticate with the update service
  • BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) is used by Windows Update for downloading updates
  • Corrupted update cache or BITS queue can trigger this error repeatedly
  • Third-party antivirus may block Windows Update service connections
  • Group Policy settings in corporate environments may restrict update service access

Common Causes

  • BITS service not running or in a corrupted state
  • Windows Update cache (SoftwareDistribution folder) corrupted from previous failed updates
  • Antivirus or firewall blocking Windows Update service connections to Microsoft servers
  • System date/time incorrect causing SSL certificate validation failures

Steps

  1. 1Restart update services: open Command Prompt as admin, run 'net stop wuauserv && net stop bits && net start bits && net start wuauserv'
  2. 2Clear update cache: stop wuauserv, rename C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution to SoftwareDistribution.old, restart wuauserv
  3. 3Run Windows Update Troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update
  4. 4Verify date/time accuracy: Settings > Time & Language > Date & time > Set time automatically
  5. 5Reset Windows Update components completely using the Microsoft Update Reset script (wu10.diagcab)

Tags

windows-update0x80080005bitsupdate-serviceconnection

Related Items

windows-error-0x800f0922-update-failure

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Frequently Asked Questions

Background Intelligent Transfer Service manages file downloads for Windows Update. It uses idle bandwidth and can pause/resume transfers. Restarting BITS often resolves update download failures.