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Troubleshoot Error 0x80010105: Expert Fixes for Windows 11/10

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Encountering error code 0x80010105 on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 system can be a frustrating experience. This error can surface in various situations, disrupting essential operations such as installing Windows updates, printing documents, adding printers, or even creating backups of your valuable data. Understanding the root causes and effective solutions is crucial to swiftly resolving this issue and restoring your system’s functionality. This guide will delve into the common scenarios where error 0x80010105 arises and provide expert-backed troubleshooting steps to get your Windows system back on track.

Fix Windows Update error 0x80010105

Troubleshoot Error 0x80010105

Keeping your Windows 11/10 operating system updated is paramount for both security and performance. Microsoft regularly releases updates that include new features, performance enhancements, and critical security patches to protect your system from emerging threats. However, the error 0x80010105 can impede this process, preventing you from installing the latest updates and leaving your system potentially vulnerable. This issue often indicates a problem with the Windows Update Agent, the core component responsible for managing updates. If you are facing this update hurdle, the following solutions are designed to help you diagnose and rectify the problem, ensuring your system remains secure and up-to-date.

1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows includes a suite of built-in automated troubleshooters designed to diagnose and resolve common system problems. The Windows Update Troubleshooter is specifically tailored to address issues that may arise during the update process. This tool can automatically detect and fix many common update errors, making it a valuable first step in resolving error 0x80010105.

For Windows 10 users:

  1. Open the Settings application. You can do this by clicking on the Start Menu and then selecting the Settings icon (gear icon).
  2. Navigate to Update & Security.
  3. Select Troubleshoot from the left-hand menu.
  4. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
  5. Find and select Windows Update from the list.
  6. Click the Run the troubleshooter button. The troubleshooter will now automatically begin diagnosing and attempting to fix any detected problems. Follow any on-screen prompts and allow the troubleshooter to complete its process.

For Windows 11 users:

  1. Open the Settings application.
  2. Click on System in the left-hand menu.
  3. Select Troubleshoot.
  4. Click on Other troubleshooters.
  5. Locate Windows Update in the list of troubleshooters.
  6. Click the Run button next to Windows Update. Again, allow the troubleshooter to run its course and follow any instructions it provides.

After the troubleshooter has completed, restart your computer and attempt to run Windows Update again to see if the error has been resolved.

2. Reset Windows Update Components

The Windows Update process relies on several components working in harmony. Corruption or malfunction within these components can lead to update errors like 0x80010105. Resetting these components can often resolve underlying issues by restoring them to a default, functional state. This process involves stopping related services, renaming folders that store update data, and re-registering necessary DLL files.

Resetting Windows Update components is a more advanced troubleshooting step that requires using the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Type “cmd” in the Windows search bar, right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”.
  2. Stop the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Windows Update service, Cryptographic service, and the MSI Installer service by typing the following commands one by one and pressing Enter after each:
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
net stop msiserver
  1. Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders. These folders store temporary files and update catalog data. Renaming them forces Windows Update to recreate them, potentially resolving corruption issues. Execute these commands:
ren %windir%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren %windir%\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
  1. Restart the BITS, Windows Update, Cryptographic, and MSI Installer services by typing the following commands, again pressing Enter after each:
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc
net start msiserver
  1. Clear the BITS queue. This ensures no pending or corrupted download jobs interfere with future updates.
bitsadmin /reset /allusers
  1. Reset the Windows Update client.
wuauclt.exe /resetauthorization /detectnow
  1. Finally, restart your computer.

After restarting, try running Windows Update again. Resetting the components often clears out problematic data and allows updates to proceed smoothly.

3. Reinstall Windows using Windows Update

As a more drastic measure, reinstalling Windows using the Windows Update feature itself can resolve deeply embedded issues that are causing the 0x80010105 error. This option essentially performs a refresh of your operating system, keeping your personal files and most settings intact while replacing system files. It can be particularly effective when system file corruption is suspected as the root cause of the update failure.

Note: While this method aims to preserve your personal files, it is always highly recommended to back up your important data before performing any system reset or reinstallation.

Steps to Reinstall Windows using Windows Update (Windows 11/10):

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to System (Windows 11) or Update & Security (Windows 10).
  3. Select Recovery.
  4. Under Recovery options, find Reset this PC and click Get started.
  5. Choose Keep my files. This option will remove apps and settings, but keep your personal files.
  6. Select Cloud download or Local reinstall. Cloud download will download the latest Windows installation files from Microsoft’s servers, while Local reinstall will use the existing system files on your computer. Cloud download is generally recommended for a fresh and potentially more reliable installation.
  7. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reinstallation process. This process may take some time as Windows is being reinstalled.

After the reinstallation is complete, check if the Windows Update error 0x80010105 is resolved.

4. Download Windows Update manually from Microsoft Update Catalog

If automated update methods continue to fail, manually downloading and installing the update from the Microsoft Update Catalog provides an alternative approach. The Microsoft Update Catalog is a repository of all updates released by Microsoft, allowing you to directly download specific updates as standalone packages. This is particularly useful when a specific update is consistently failing to install via Windows Update.

  1. Identify the failing update’s KB number. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Update history (Windows 10) or Settings > Windows Update > Update history (Windows 11). Look for the update that failed to install and note its KB number (e.g., KB50xxxxx).
  2. Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website. Open your web browser and go to https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/.
  3. Search for the KB number. In the search box at the top right of the page, enter the KB number you noted down and click Search.
  4. Find the correct update for your system. The search results will display updates matching the KB number. Carefully identify the update that is appropriate for your Windows version and system architecture (e.g., Windows 11, Windows 10 version, 64-bit or 32-bit).
  5. Download the update. Click the Download button next to the correct update. A pop-up window will appear with a direct download link. Click the link to download the update package (usually a .msu file).
  6. Install the update. Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded .msu file and double-click it to run the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the update manually.
  7. Restart your computer. After the installation is finished, restart your computer.

Check if the error 0x80010105 is resolved after manually installing the update.

Fix error code 0x80010105 while printing a document or adding a printer

Printer Troubleshooting

Error code 0x80010105 can also manifest when you attempt to print a document or add a new printer to your Windows 11/10 system. This issue can disrupt your ability to print from your computer or even from other devices on your network that rely on the shared printer. The error message often appears as: “Your printer has experienced an unexpected configuration problem 0x80010105”. This section provides solutions tailored to address this printer-related occurrence of the error.

1. Run Printer Troubleshooter

Similar to the Windows Update Troubleshooter, Windows provides a dedicated Printer Troubleshooter to diagnose and automatically fix common printer problems. This tool can detect issues with printer drivers, spooler service, and printer connectivity, making it a valuable first step in resolving error 0x80010105 in printing scenarios.

For Windows 10 users:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to Update & Security.
  3. Select Troubleshoot.
  4. Click Additional troubleshooters.
  5. Find and select Printer from the list.
  6. Click Run the troubleshooter. Let the troubleshooter complete its diagnosis and attempt to apply fixes.

For Windows 11 users:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Select Troubleshoot.
  4. Click on Other troubleshooters.
  5. Locate Printer in the list.
  6. Click the Run button next to Printer. Allow the troubleshooter to run and apply any suggested fixes.

After the troubleshooter finishes, try printing a document or adding the printer again to see if the error is resolved.

2. Disable your security software

In some cases, overly aggressive security software, such as antivirus programs or firewalls, can interfere with printer operations and trigger error 0x80010105. These programs might mistakenly block legitimate communication between your computer and the printer. Temporarily disabling your security software can help determine if it is the source of the problem.

Steps to temporarily disable security software:

  1. Locate the security software icon in your system tray (usually in the bottom right corner of your screen).
  2. Right-click on the icon.
  3. Look for options like Disable protection, Turn off firewall, or similar, depending on your specific security software. Select the option to temporarily disable the software.
  4. Note the duration for which the software will be disabled. Choose a short duration, like 15-30 minutes, for testing purposes.
  5. Attempt to add the printer or print a document again while the security software is disabled.

If the error 0x80010105 disappears after disabling the security software, it indicates that the security software is indeed interfering with printer operations. Remember to re-enable your security software immediately after testing to maintain your system’s protection. You may need to configure exceptions or rules in your security software to allow printer communication without blocking it. Consult your security software’s documentation for instructions on creating exceptions or rules.

3. Troubleshoot in a Clean Boot state

A Clean Boot environment starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps to eliminate software conflicts that might be causing error 0x80010105 when printing or adding a printer. By starting in a Clean Boot state, you can isolate whether a third-party application or service is interfering with printer functionality.

Steps to perform a Clean Boot:

  1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type msconfig and press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.
  3. In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
  4. Check the box Hide all Microsoft services. This is important to prevent disabling essential system services.
  5. Click the Disable all button. This will disable all third-party services.
  6. Go to the Startup tab.
  7. Click Open Task Manager.
  8. In Task Manager, go to the Startup tab.
  9. For each startup item, select it and click Disable. Disable all startup items.
  10. Close Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.
  11. Click Apply and then OK.
  12. Click Restart to restart your computer in a Clean Boot environment.

After your computer restarts in Clean Boot, try to add the printer or print a document again.

  • If the issue is resolved in Clean Boot: This indicates that a third-party application or service is causing the conflict. To identify the culprit, you need to systematically re-enable startup programs and services in small groups and restart your computer each time to test. Refer to the original article or search online for detailed guides on how to pinpoint the problematic application or service after a Clean Boot. Once identified, you may need to uninstall or update the conflicting software.
  • If the issue persists in Clean Boot: This suggests that the problem is not caused by a third-party software conflict, and you may need to explore other solutions.

Remember to revert to a normal boot after troubleshooting by undoing the changes made in System Configuration and Task Manager. In the System Configuration utility, on the General tab, select “Normal startup” and click Apply and OK. In Task Manager, re-enable the startup programs you disabled.

4. Rollback Windows Update

Occasionally, a recently installed Windows Update itself can introduce unforeseen issues, including printer problems and error 0x80010105. If the error started appearing shortly after a Windows Update, rolling back or uninstalling that update might resolve the problem. The update KB4524147 has been specifically mentioned by users as a potential cause for printer issues.

Steps to rollback a Windows Update (Windows 11/10):

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to Update & Security (Windows 10) or Windows Update (Windows 11).
  3. Select Update history.
  4. Click on Uninstall updates. This will open the Control Panel’s “Installed Updates” window.
  5. In the “Installed Updates” window, locate the update you suspect is causing the problem (e.g., KB4524147 or the most recently installed update).
  6. Select the update and click Uninstall.
  7. Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall the update.
  8. Restart your computer when prompted.

After uninstalling the update and restarting, check if the printer error 0x80010105 is resolved. If it is, you may want to temporarily pause updates to prevent the problematic update from being reinstalled automatically. You can then monitor for updated information or fixes related to that specific update before reinstalling it at a later time.

Fix error code 0x80010105 while creating a backup on an external storage device

Data Backup

Error 0x80010105 can also disrupt the process of creating backups, particularly when backing up from Windows Server to external storage devices like DVDs or USB drives. The error message in this scenario often appears as: “Server threw an exception. (0x80010105)”. This section provides solutions tailored to address backup-related instances of this error.

1. Free up some space on your storage device

Insufficient free space on the target storage device is a common cause of backup failures and can lead to error 0x80010105. Backups, especially full system backups, can require significant storage space. Ensure that the external storage device you are using has enough free space to accommodate the backup.

Steps to check free space:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Navigate to This PC.
  3. Right-click on the external storage drive.
  4. Select Properties.
  5. Under the General tab, check the Used space and Free space information.

Compare the free space available with the estimated size of your backup. If free space is limited, delete unnecessary files from the external drive or use a larger storage device. Consider also cleaning up files on your Windows Server that are not essential to the backup to reduce the overall backup size.

2. Run an SFC scan

System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows utility that scans for and repairs corrupted system files. While primarily designed for internal system drives, SFC can also be used to scan external storage devices for file system errors that might be preventing successful backups. File system corruption on the external drive can lead to error 0x80010105 during backup operations.

Steps to run SFC scan on an external drive:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. Identify the drive letter of your external storage device (e.g., E:, F:, etc.) in File Explorer.
  3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command, replacing <drive letter> with the actual drive letter of your external drive, and press Enter:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=<drive letter>:\ /offwindir=<drive letter>:\windows

For example, if your external drive letter is F:, the command would be:

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=F:\ /offwindir=F:\windows

Note: The /offbootdir and /offwindir parameters are used to specify that you want to scan a drive other than the boot drive. However, for scanning an external drive for backup errors, a simpler approach is to just run a standard SFC scan on the system drive first, as system file corruption could also indirectly affect backup processes to external drives.

sfc /scannow

After the SFC scan completes (whether on the system drive or external drive), restart your computer and attempt the backup again.

Run CHKDSK for disk error checking:

In addition to SFC, the CHKDSK utility can check and repair file system errors and bad sectors on a storage device. It is another valuable tool for diagnosing and fixing external drive issues that might be causing backup errors.

Steps to run CHKDSK on an external drive:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. Identify the drive letter of your external storage device.
  3. Type the following command, replacing <drive letter> with the actual drive letter, and press Enter:
chkdsk <drive letter>: /f /r

For example, if your external drive letter is F:, the command would be:

chkdsk F: /f /r
  • /f: Fixes errors on the disk.
  • /r: Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. This option implies /f.

Warning: CHKDSK with the /r option can take a significant amount of time to complete, especially on large drives. It is recommended to run CHKDSK when you can allow it to run uninterrupted. You will be prompted to schedule the disk check for the next system restart if the drive is in use. Type Y and press Enter to schedule, then restart your computer.

After CHKDSK completes, try creating the backup again to see if the error 0x80010105 is resolved.

3. Convert the storage device from FAT32 to NTFS

The FAT32 file system has limitations, including a maximum file size of 4GB and a partition size limit. If your backup is larger than 4GB or if you anticipate backups exceeding this size in the future, using a FAT32 formatted external drive can lead to errors like 0x80010105. Converting the external drive to the NTFS file system removes these limitations and is generally recommended for modern storage devices and backups.

Steps to check the file system format and convert to NTFS (if needed):

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Right-click on the external storage drive.
  3. Select Properties.
  4. In the Properties window, under the General tab, look for File system. It will indicate whether the drive is formatted as FAT32 or NTFS.

If the file system is FAT32 and you need to convert to NTFS (Caution: Conversion is usually non-destructive, but backing up data is always recommended before any file system operation):

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. Type the following command, replacing <drive letter> with the actual drive letter of your external drive, and press Enter:
convert <drive letter>: /fs:ntfs

For example, if your external drive letter is F:, the command would be:

convert F: /fs:ntfs
  1. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the conversion process.

After the conversion is complete, try creating the backup again. NTFS is the recommended file system for Windows systems and external drives used for backups due to its features, reliability, and lack of file size and partition size limitations compared to FAT32.

Consider using regular DVDs instead of DL DVDs:

If you are backing up to DVDs and using DL DVDs (Double Layer DVDs), try using regular single-layer DVDs instead. While DL DVDs offer more storage capacity, they can sometimes be more prone to errors during the writing process. Switching to regular DVDs might eliminate potential media-related issues contributing to error 0x80010105. If your backup size fits within the capacity of a single-layer DVD, this could be a simple workaround to try.

4. Troubleshoot in a Clean Boot state (for Backup Errors)

As with printer issues, software conflicts can also interfere with backup operations and trigger error 0x80010105. Performing a Clean Boot, as described earlier in the printer troubleshooting section, can help isolate whether a third-party application or service is causing the backup failure. Follow the same Clean Boot steps outlined previously and then attempt to create the backup again in the Clean Boot environment.

  • If the backup succeeds in Clean Boot: A third-party application or service is likely interfering with the backup process. Systematically re-enable startup items and services in small groups, restarting and testing the backup after each change, to identify the problematic software.
  • If the backup still fails in Clean Boot: The issue is likely not related to third-party software conflicts, and you should focus on other solutions, such as storage device issues, file system errors, or backup settings.

What is error code 0x80010105?

Error code 0x80010105 is a generic COM (Component Object Model) error code, often described as “RPC_E_CALL_REJECTED”. In the context of Windows, it generally indicates that a request to a COM server or component has been rejected. This can occur for various reasons, including:

  • Windows Update Agent Issues: When related to Windows Updates, it often signifies problems with the Windows Update Agent itself, preventing it from properly handling update installation requests.
  • Printer Subsystem Problems: In printing scenarios, it can point to issues within the printer subsystem, possibly due to driver conflicts, spooler service errors, or communication failures.
  • Backup Service Errors: When encountered during backups, it can suggest problems with the Windows backup service or related components, potentially due to file system errors, storage device issues, or software conflicts.
  • Resource Conflicts: The error can also arise from resource conflicts, where different applications or services are competing for the same system resources, leading to request rejections.
  • Security Software Interference: Overly restrictive security software can sometimes misinterpret legitimate system operations as threats and block them, resulting in COM errors.

Essentially, error 0x80010105 is a signal that a communication breakdown has occurred within the Windows operating system, preventing a specific operation from completing successfully. The specific cause needs to be investigated based on the context in which the error appears (updates, printing, backups, etc.).

Why is my Windows Update showing an error?

Windows Update errors, including 0x80010105, can arise due to several factors. Here are some common reasons why Windows Update might be showing an error:

  • Insufficient Disk Space: Windows Updates, especially major feature updates, require a significant amount of free disk space on your system drive (typically the C: drive). For successful installation, Microsoft recommends having at least 16 GB of free space for 32-bit Windows OS and 20 GB for 64-bit Windows OS. If your system drive is running low on space, updates may fail and generate errors.

  • Corrupted Update Components: As mentioned earlier, the Windows Update process relies on various components. Corruption within these components, such as the SoftwareDistribution folder or update service files, can disrupt the update process and lead to errors.

  • Internet Connectivity Issues: A stable and reliable internet connection is essential for downloading updates from Microsoft servers. Intermittent or slow internet connectivity can interrupt downloads and cause update failures.

  • Third-Party Software Conflicts: Certain third-party applications, particularly antivirus programs or system utilities, can sometimes interfere with the Windows Update process. They might block update services or files, leading to errors.

  • Driver Conflicts: Incompatible or outdated device drivers can sometimes cause system instability during updates, resulting in update errors.

  • System File Corruption: General system file corruption, unrelated to update components, can also indirectly affect the update process and trigger errors.

  • Windows Update Service Issues: Problems with the Windows Update service itself, such as it being disabled or not starting correctly, will obviously prevent updates from working.

  • Server-Side Issues: Although less common, temporary issues on Microsoft’s update servers can also occasionally cause update failures. These issues are usually resolved quickly by Microsoft.

To troubleshoot Windows Update errors, it is generally recommended to start with basic checks like ensuring sufficient disk space and a stable internet connection. Then, proceed to more advanced troubleshooting steps like running the Windows Update Troubleshooter, resetting update components, and checking for software conflicts, as outlined in this guide.

We hope these detailed solutions assist you in resolving the error 0x80010105 on your Windows 11/10 system. If you have any further questions or have encountered this error in other scenarios, please feel free to leave a comment below!

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