Fixes / Windows · Checked

Windows Update error 0x800f0831: what it means and how to fix it

Short answer

Error 0x800f0831 (CBS_E_STORE_CORRUPTION) means Windows can't install an update because files from an earlier update are missing or only partly installed in the component store. The most likely fix is to open Command Prompt as administrator, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, then sfc /scannow, restart and retry. If it still fails, reinstall the KB named in C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log.

What this message means

Windows keeps a copy of every installed update in the component store (the WinSxS folder) and tracks it in the registry under Component Based Servicing. Each new cumulative update builds on those records. Code 0x800f0831, named CBS_E_STORE_CORRUPTION, means Windows looked for a package from an earlier update and couldn't find its manifest, or found the update only half applied. The new update can't be layered on a broken base, so it rolls back and Windows Update shows "Install error - 0x800f0831" or "Updates failed". Your personal files are not affected. The fix is to repair or reinstall the earlier update that the log names.

Common causes

CauseHow to tell
A package from an earlier update is missing its manifest in the component storeC:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log contains lines like "Store corruption, manifest missing for package: Package_..._for_KB#######" followed by "HRESULT = 0x800f0831 - CBS_E_STORE_CORRUPTION". The KB number in that line is usually older than the update you are trying to install.
An earlier update was only partly installed (files present, registry entries not applied)The KB named in CBS.log appears in Settings > Windows Update > Update history as installed, or as failed, but every newer cumulative update fails with the same code. This often follows a restart or power loss during an update.
Wider corruption of Windows system filesDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth reports the image as "repairable", or sfc /scannow says it found corrupt files. Other updates, optional features or .NET installs may also fail.
A damaged or incomplete download in the Windows Update cacheThe update downloads, fails at the same point every time, and DISM reports no corruption. Retrying from Windows Update never changes the result.

How to fix it

1. Repair the component store with DISM and SFC

  1. Select Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
  2. Run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (it can sit at 20% or 62% for several minutes; let it finish and keep the internet connected, because it downloads clean files from Windows Update).
  3. When it reports "The restore operation completed successfully", run: sfc /scannow and wait for 100%.
  4. Restart the PC.
  5. Open Settings > Windows Update (Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update) and select Check for updates.

2. Clear the Windows Update download cache

  1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
  2. Right-click Windows Update and select Stop. Do the same for Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
  3. Open File Explorer, go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete everything inside it (not the folder itself). Approve the admin prompt if asked.
  4. Back in Services, right-click Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Service and select Start.
  5. Restart and check for updates again. The update will download from scratch.

3. Find the broken KB in CBS.log and reinstall it from the Microsoft Update Catalog

  1. Try the failing update once more so the log is fresh, then in an administrator Command Prompt run: copy %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log %userprofile%\Desktop\cbs.txt
  2. Run: findstr /c:"manifest missing" %userprofile%\Desktop\cbs.txt and note the KB number in the package name (for example Package_123_for_KB5034441...).
  3. Go to catalog.update.microsoft.com, search that KB number and download the file that matches your Windows version and architecture (x64 or ARM64) into C:\temp.
  4. In the administrator Command Prompt run: cd C:\temp then expand -F:* <file-name>.msu C:\temp to extract the .cab file.
  5. If the update is partly installed, remove it with: Dism /Online /Remove-Package /PackagePath:C:\temp\<cab-name>.cab and restart if asked.
  6. Reinstall it with: Dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\temp\<cab-name>.cab then restart.
  7. Run Windows Update again to install the update that originally failed.

4. Use "Fix problems using Windows Update" (repair reinstall)

Windows 11 22H2 or later with the February 2024 optional update or newer. Not available on enterprise-managed PCs.

  1. Plug in the PC and make sure it stays online.
  2. Open Settings > System > Recovery.
  3. Under Fix problems using Windows Update, select Reinstall now.
  4. Choose whether to allow an automatic restart after 15 minutes, then select OK.
  5. Windows downloads a repair copy of your current version and reinstalls it. Apps, files and settings are kept.

5. Do an in-place repair upgrade from installation media

Windows 10 and Windows 11. Use the same edition and language as your installed Windows, and the same or a newer version.

  1. Back up your personal files first.
  2. Windows 11: download the Windows 11 ISO from microsoft.com/software-download/windows11. Windows 10: use the Media Creation Tool from microsoft.com/software-download/windows10 and choose to create an ISO.
  3. Right-click the ISO, select Mount, and run setup.exe from the new drive.
  4. When asked what to keep, choose Keep personal files and apps.
  5. Let setup finish (about 30 to 90 minutes, several restarts), then run Windows Update.

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Still not fixed?

If DISM /RestoreHealth itself fails (often with 0x800f081f, source files not found) and the repair reinstall or in-place upgrade also fails, the component store may be too damaged to service. Back up your files and use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC (Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Recovery) with the Keep my files option. On a work or school PC, contact your IT department before changing anything, since managed devices may use WSUS or Intune and block the repair options above. For persistent failures, Microsoft Support can review your CBS.log.

Questions people ask

What does CBS_E_STORE_CORRUPTION mean?

It is the internal name for 0x800f0831. CBS (Component Based Servicing) is the part of Windows that installs updates, and the error means its component store is missing a package or manifest it needs.

Will fixing error 0x800f0831 delete my files?

No. DISM, SFC, clearing the update cache, reinstalling a KB, and a repair reinstall that keeps apps and files all leave your documents alone. Only Reset this PC with Remove everything would erase data, and it is not needed for this error.

Why does DISM /RestoreHealth not fix 0x800f0831?

DISM repairs damaged files but can't always recreate a manifest for an update that was never fully registered. In that case, reinstall the specific KB named in CBS.log from the Microsoft Update Catalog, or do a repair reinstall.

Can I just skip or hide the failing update?

Not for long. Cumulative updates build on each other, so every later monthly update will fail with the same code until the component store is repaired, and you stop getting security fixes.

I get 0x800f0831 on Windows 10. Is it because support ended?

Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, and only PCs enrolled in Extended Security Updates still get security updates. But 0x800f0831 is a corruption error, not an end-of-support message, and it is fixed the same way on Windows 10 and 11.

Sources

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