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Troubleshoot Windows Update Errors 0xC1900404/0xC1900405: Proven Solutions

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While Windows update error codes starting with 0xC19 often point to driver-related issues, errors 0xC1900404 and 0xC1900405 indicate a different problem entirely. Encountering either of these errors during a Windows update process usually signifies an issue with the installation media files themselves. This means that the files required to complete the update or upgrade may be missing, corrupted, or inaccessible. Understanding the root cause is the first step toward effectively resolving these errors and ensuring a smooth Windows update experience. In this article, we will explore the meaning of these specific error codes and provide proven solutions to help you overcome them and successfully update your Windows system.

Understanding Windows Update Errors 0xC1900404 and 0xC1900405

Before diving into solutions, it’s crucial to understand what these specific error codes signify. Both 0xC1900404 and 0xC1900405 point towards problems with the installation executable and the overall installation process. Let’s break down each error in simpler terms:

  • 0xC1900404 - MOSETUP_E_UA_BOX_NOT_FOUND: This error message, accompanied by MOSETUP_E_UA_BOX_NOT_FOUND, essentially means “The installation executable was not found.” It suggests that the system is unable to locate a necessary executable file required to proceed with the Windows update or upgrade. This could be due to missing files in the installation media or issues accessing the required files during the update process.

  • 0xC1900405 - MOSETUP_E_UA_BOX_CRASHED: The error code 0xC1900405, along with MOSETUP_E_UA_BOX_CRASHED, translates to “The installation process terminated unexpectedly.” This indicates that while the installation process might have started, it crashed or stopped prematurely. This unexpected termination could be caused by various factors, including corrupted installation files, conflicts with other software, or system instability during the update process.

It’s important to note that while the initial executable file may have initiated the update or upgrade, these errors suggest a deeper problem within the setup process. The system might be searching for another executable file, a component of the broader setup, that is either missing or causing the process to crash. This distinction is key to understanding that the issue is not just with initiating the update, but with the integrity and execution of the entire update procedure.

Troubleshoot Windows Update Errors 0xC1900404 & 0xC1900405

Proven Solutions to Fix Windows Update Errors 0xC1900404 & 0xC1900405

Now that we understand the meaning of these error codes, let’s explore practical solutions to resolve them. These methods are designed to address potential issues with installation media and the Windows update process, guiding you towards a successful update.

1. Redownload the Installation Media Files

If you encountered these error codes while using the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft to upgrade or update your Windows, corrupted media files are a likely culprit. The Media Creation Tool is a common method for creating bootable USB drives or downloading Windows ISO files for installation. However, during the download process, files can sometimes become corrupted due to internet connectivity issues, server problems, or disk errors.

Therefore, the first and most crucial step is to redownload the installation media files. This ensures that you are working with a fresh set of files, minimizing the possibility of corruption being the root cause of the error.

Steps to Redownload Media Files and Create a New Bootable USB:

  1. Go to the Microsoft Software Download page: Navigate to the official Microsoft website where you can download Windows installation media. Typically, this is the “Download Windows [Latest Version]” page on the Microsoft support website.
  2. Download the Media Creation Tool: Locate and download the Media Creation Tool for your version of Windows. Ensure you choose the correct version (e.g., Windows 10, Windows 11) and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) that you intend to install or upgrade to.
  3. Run the Media Creation Tool: Execute the downloaded Media Creation Tool. Follow the on-screen prompts.
  4. Choose “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC”: Select this option when prompted.
  5. Select Language, Edition, and Architecture: Carefully choose the language, Windows edition, and system architecture (64-bit is recommended for modern systems unless you have specific hardware limitations). Ensure these settings match your system requirements and desired Windows version.
  6. Choose USB flash drive: Select “USB flash drive” as the media to use. Ensure you have a USB drive with sufficient free space (at least 8GB is recommended, 16GB for Windows 11).
  7. Select your USB drive: Choose the correct USB drive from the list. Warning: all data on the selected USB drive will be erased.
  8. Let the Media Creation Tool download and create the bootable USB: The tool will download the necessary Windows installation files and create a bootable USB drive. This process may take some time depending on your internet speed.
  9. Attempt the upgrade again: Once the bootable USB drive is created, use it to attempt the Windows upgrade or installation process again. Boot your computer from the USB drive (you may need to adjust your BIOS/UEFI boot settings) and follow the on-screen instructions.

By redownloading the media files and creating a new bootable USB, you eliminate the possibility of corrupted installation files causing the 0xC1900404 or 0xC1900405 errors. This is often the simplest and most effective first step in troubleshooting these update issues.

2. Clean Windows Update Folder and Re-download Files via Windows Update

If you are encountering these errors while attempting an in-place upgrade through Windows Update (i.e., updating from within your currently running Windows operating system), the issue might stem from corrupted or outdated files within the Windows Update cache. Windows Update stores downloaded update files in a specific folder, and if these files become corrupted, they can hinder the update process and trigger errors like 0xC1900404 or 0xC1900405.

In this scenario, cleaning out the Software Distribution folder and resetting the Catroot folders can force Windows Update to re-download fresh update files. This can often resolve issues caused by corrupted or incomplete downloads.

Steps to Clean Windows Update Folders and Re-download Files:

  1. Stop the Windows Update Service: Before you can clean the update folders, you need to stop the Windows Update service. This prevents conflicts and ensures that you can safely delete the cached files.

    • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
    • Type services.msc and press Enter. This will open the Services window.
    • Scroll down and locate the “Windows Update” service in the list.
    • Right-click on “Windows Update” and select “Stop”. Wait for the service to stop completely. You can verify the status in the “Status” column – it should be blank or say “Stopped”.

  2. Clean the Software Distribution Folder: The Software Distribution folder is where Windows Update stores temporary files for downloading and installing updates. Deleting the contents of this folder forces Windows Update to re-download the update files.

    • Open File Explorer.
    • Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
    • Inside the SoftwareDistribution folder, select all files and folders (Ctrl+A) and delete them. You may need administrator privileges to delete these files. If prompted, confirm the deletion.

  3. Reset Catroot and Catroot2 Folders: The Catroot and Catroot2 folders are crucial for verifying the digital signatures of Windows Update packages. Resetting these folders can resolve issues related to corrupted signature databases.

    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
      • Type cmd in the Windows search bar.
      • Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”.
    • Type the following commands one by one in the Command Prompt window, pressing Enter after each command:
      net stop cryptsvc
md %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old
xcopy %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old /s /e
del %systemroot%\system32\catroot2\*.* /f /s /q
md %systemroot%\system32\catroot2\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}
net start cryptsvc

      These commands stop the Cryptographic Services, create backups of the Catroot2 folder, delete the contents of the Catroot2 folder, recreate a necessary subfolder, and then restart the Cryptographic Services.

  4. Restart the Windows Update Service: After cleaning the folders and resetting Catroot, restart the Windows Update service that you stopped in step 1.

    • Go back to the Services window (if you closed it, repeat step 1a-1b).
    • Locate the “Windows Update” service again.
    • Right-click on “Windows Update” and select “Start”.

  5. Check for Updates: Finally, after restarting the service, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for updates”. Windows Update should now re-download the update files. Monitor the update process to see if the 0xC1900404 or 0xC1900405 errors are resolved.

By cleaning the Software Distribution folder and resetting the Catroot folders, you ensure that Windows Update starts with a clean slate, free from potentially corrupted or outdated files. This process often resolves issues that prevent successful in-place upgrades and can eliminate the encountered error codes.

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3. Consider a Windows Reset as a Last Resort

If all other troubleshooting steps fail to resolve the 0xC1900404 and 0xC1900405 errors, and you are persistently stuck on an older version of Windows, a Windows Reset might be considered as a last resort. Resetting your PC essentially reinstalls Windows, providing a fresh operating system environment. This can often resolve deep-seated system issues that are preventing updates.

Important Considerations Before Resetting:

  • Data Backup is Crucial: Resetting your PC can lead to data loss. Before proceeding with a reset, it is absolutely essential to back up all your important files, documents, photos, videos, and any other critical data. You can back up to an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage.
  • Choose the Right Reset Option: Windows offers different reset options:
    • “Keep my files”: This option attempts to remove apps and settings but keeps your personal files. However, there is still a risk of data loss, so backup is still recommended.
    • “Remove everything”: This option removes all personal files, apps, and settings, essentially performing a clean installation of Windows. This is a more thorough reset but requires you to reinstall all your applications and restore your data from backup afterward.

Steps to Reset Your Windows PC:

  1. Open Settings: Click on the Start Menu and then click on the Settings icon (gear icon).
  2. Go to Update & Security: In the Settings window, click on “Update & Security”.
  3. Select Recovery: In the left-hand menu, click on “Recovery”.
  4. Click “Get started” under “Reset this PC”: You will see a section titled “Reset this PC”. Click on the “Get started” button.
  5. Choose a Reset Option: You will be presented with two options: “Keep my files” or “Remove everything”. Carefully consider the implications of each option and choose the one that best suits your needs and risk tolerance (after backing up your data).
  6. Follow On-Screen Instructions: Windows will guide you through the reset process. Follow the on-screen prompts and instructions. The reset process may take some time, and your computer will restart several times.
  7. Restore Your Data and Reinstall Applications: After the reset is complete, you will have a fresh installation of Windows. You will need to restore your backed-up data and reinstall all your applications.

Caution: A Windows Reset should be considered a last resort due to the potential for data loss and the time required to restore your system. Ensure you have exhausted other troubleshooting methods and have a reliable backup before proceeding with a reset.

Conclusion

Encountering Windows Update Errors 0xC1900404 and 0xC1900405 can be frustrating, but they are often resolvable with the right approach. By understanding that these errors typically point to issues with installation media or the update process itself, you can systematically apply the solutions outlined above. Starting with redownloading media files, cleaning Windows Update folders, and considering a reset as a final option, you can effectively troubleshoot and overcome these errors.

Remember to always prioritize data backup before undertaking significant system changes like cleaning update folders or resetting your PC. With careful troubleshooting and a methodical approach, you can successfully resolve these Windows Update errors and ensure your system is up-to-date and running smoothly.

If you continue to experience issues or have further questions regarding Windows Update Errors 0xC1900404 and 0xC1900405, feel free to leave a comment below. Sharing your specific situation and any steps you’ve already tried can help us and other readers provide more tailored assistance.

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