Fix Windows Update Error 0xc8000222

If you are trying to install Windows updates but unable to do so, then it’s possible that Windows updating might be failing with error code 0xc8000222. The error is caused because of a number of issues such as corrupt Windows Update files, cache issue, virus or malware, etc. Sometimes it fails because the Update service might not have been running. So without wasting any time, let’s see how to actually fix Windows Update Error 0xc8000222 with the help of below-listed troubleshooting steps.

Fix Windows Update Error 0xc8000222

Fix Windows Update Error 0xc8000222

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

Method 1: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

1.Now type “troubleshooting” in Windows Search bar and click on Troubleshooting.

troubleshooting control panel

2.Next, from the left window pane select View all.

3.Then from the Troubleshoot computer problems list select Windows Update.

select windows update from troubleshoot computer problems

4.Follow on-screen instruction and let the Windows Update Troubleshoot run.

5.Restart your PC and you may be able to Fix Windows Update Error 0xc8000222.

Method 2: Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Firewall

1.Right-click on the Antivirus Program icon from the system tray and select Disable.

Disable auto-protect to disable your Antivirus

2.Next, select the time frame for which the Antivirus will remain disabled.

select the duration until when the antivirus will be disabled

Note: Choose the smallest amount of time possible for example 15 minutes or 30 minutes.

3.Once done, again try to run Windows Update and check if the error resolves or not.

4.Press Windows Key + I then select Control Panel.

control panel

5.Next, click on System and Security.

6.Then click on Windows Firewall.

click on Windows Firewall

7.Now from the left window pane click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off.

click Turn Windows Firewall on or off

8.Select Turn off Windows Firewall and restart your PC. Again try to open Update Windows and see if you’re able to Fix Windows Update Error 0xc8000222.

If the above method doesn’t work make sure to follow the exact same steps to turn on your Firewall again.

Method 3: Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder

1.Press Windows Key + X then select Command Prompt (Admin).

command prompt with admin rights

2.Now type the following commands to stop Windows Update Services and then hit Enter after each one:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver

Stop Windows update services wuauserv cryptSvc bits msiserver

3.Next, type the following command to rename SoftwareDistribution Folder and then hit Enter:

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder

4.Finally, type the following command to start Windows Update Services and hit Enter after each one:

net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Start Windows update services wuauserv cryptSvc bits msiserver

5.Reboot your PC to save changes and check if you are able to Fix Windows Update Error 0xc8000222.

Method 4: Perform Clean boot

Sometimes 3rd party software can conflict with Windows and can cause Windows Update error. In order to Fix Windows Update Error 0xc8000222, you need to perform a clean boot on your PC and diagnose the issue step by step.

Perform Clean boot in Windows. Selective startup in system configuration

Method 5: Run SFC and CHKDSK

1.Press Windows Key + X then click on Command Prompt (Admin).

command prompt with admin rights

2.Now type the following in the cmd and hit enter:

Sfc /scannow
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

SFC scan now command prompt

3.Wait for the above process to finish and once done restart your PC.

4.Next, run CHKDSK from here Fix File System Errors with Check Disk Utility(CHKDSK).

5.Let the above process complete and again reboot your PC to save changes.

Method 6: Run DISM

1.Press Windows Key + X then click on Command Prompt (Admin).

command prompt with admin rights

2.Now type the following in the cmd and hit enter after each one:

a) Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
b) Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
c) Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

DISM restore health system

3.Let the DISM command run and wait for it to finish.

4. If the above command doesn’t work then try on the below:

Dism /Image:C:\offline /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:c:\test\mount\windows
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:c:\test\mount\windows /LimitAccess

Note: Replace the C:\RepairSource\Windows with the location of your repair source (Windows Installation or Recovery Disc).

5.Reboot your PC to save changes and see if you’re able to Fix Windows Update Error 0xc8000222.

Method 7: Run CCleaner and Malwarebytes

1.Download and install CCleaner & Malwarebytes.

2.Run Malwarebytes and let it scan your system for harmful files.

3.If malware is found it will automatically remove them.

4.Now run CCleaner and in the “Cleaner” section, under the Windows tab, we suggest checking the following selections to be cleaned:

ccleaner cleaner settings

5.Once you’ve made certain the proper points are checked, simply click Run Cleaner, and let CCleaner run its course.

6.To clean your system further select the Registry tab and ensure the following are checked:

registry cleaner

7.Select Scan for Issue and allow CCleaner to scan, then click Fix Selected Issues.

8.When CCleaner asks “Do you want backup changes to the registry?” select Yes.

9.Once your backup has completed, select Fix All Selected Issues.

10.Restart your PC to save changes. This would Fix Windows Update Error 0xc8000222 but if it didn’t then continue to the next method.

Method 8: Reset Windows Update Components

If you receive a Windows Update error, try the steps listed in this guide to reset the Windows Update components.

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That’s it you have successfully fixed Windows Update Error 0xc8000222 but if you still have any queries regarding this post then feel free to ask them in the comments section.

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