0x80004005 Error Fixed Easily ?

You may receive error 0x80004005 while using your Windows computer or laptop.

The error may look like E_fail (0x80004005) or Result code: e_fail (ox80004005) depending on where you encountered this error. This error mostly appears while using Windows update or Windows activation but is often seen in Outlook as well. However, the cause behind it remains the same.

This article will provide workarounds for the error code 0x80004005.
Use the below mentioned quick links for seamless navigation through the contents of this article:

What is error code 0x80004005?

Before understanding the troubleshooting methods, we must first understand what error 0x80004005 is and what it actually means.

0x80004005 is an unspecified error, which means that there can be a number of reasons behind the error. As a matter of fact, the common reasons for the problem are Windows update problems, corrupt files and folders and errors while extracting compressed files, etc.

Modification of files that are required for Windows Product Activation either manually or by third-party backup utilities and antivirus programs is majorly responsible for the error.

This error can cause problems while updating and re-installing Windows but is not limited to these only.

How to fix error code 0x80004005?

If the question “How do I fix error code 0x80004005” wobbles in your mind, then certainly there are ways you can fix the error yourself.

Use the following methods to fix error code 0x80004005:

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Using Windows troubleshooter can fix a lot of problems. Same applies for fixing Windows Update related problems. Run troubleshooter for Windows Update to get rid of the errors.

Use the following steps to troubleshoot Windows Update:

1. Firstly click on the Start button shown as Windows icon in the left and click Settings that is shown along with the gear icon.
   
   
   
2. Now find and open Update & Security.
   
   
   
3. Then go to Troubleshoot section from the left panel and select Additional troubleshooters as shown in the below image.
   
   
   
4. Subsequently select Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter.
   
   
   
5. The troubleshooter will start detecting problems. If it finds any problem, fix it appropriately using the on screen instructions and restart the PC.
   

Run SFC and DISM scan & fix

Any amount of emphasis given to SFC and DISM is insufficient while fixing Windows related issues.

System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management can fix corrupt files in the system that are required by Windows.

Use the following steps to use SFC and DISM to fix error 0x80004005:

1. Go to Start menu by pressing the Windows logo () key then search Command prompt.
   
   
2. Right click on Command prompt and select Run as administrator. Click ‘Yes’ in the confirmation window.
   
   
3. Type sfc /scannow in the command prompt window and subsequently press Enter.
   
   
4. The SFC will start working in the same window. Once it is complete, type Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth and hit Enter.
   
   
   
5. After that, type Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and hit Enter.
   
   
6. Subsequently type Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press the Enter button.
   
   
7. Finally, restart the PC to get the changes into effect.

Restart Windows Update service

Use the following steps to restart Windows Update service:

1. Firstly, search Services in the Windows search bar, select Services and click Run as administrator as shown in the below image. (Click ‘yes’ if the confirmation Window opens).
   
   
   
2. A list of all the services on your PC will open in alphabetical order. Find and select Windows Update then click on Restart this service as shown in the below image.
   
   
   
3. Subsequently the service will begin restarting.
   

Reset Windows update components

Use the following steps to reset Windows update components to fix error 0x80004005 and other errors related to Windows update and installation:

1. Firstly search cmd or command prompt in the Windows search bar, go to Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. In the confirmation window, click ‘yes’.
   
   
   
2. Now you need to type net stop wuauserv on command prompt and press Enter.
   
   
   
3. Then type net stop cryptsvc and press Enter.
4. Similarly type the following one by one and press Enter key after each:
   net stop bits
   net stop appidsvc
   ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   net start wuauserv
   net start cryptsvc
   net start bits
   net start appidsvc
   
   
   
5. Close the command prompt window. Right click on Start menu and click on Windows PowerShell (Admin). On old version of Windows, search ‘Windows PowerShell’ in the Windows’ start menu, right click on the first option and select ‘Run as administrator’.
   
   
   
6. Then type wuauclt.exe /updatenow in the PowerShell Window and press Enter.
   
   
   
7. Finally restart your PC to let the changes come into effect.

-Re-register DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries)

Re-registering the jdscript.dll and vbscript.dll can help you resolve error 0x80004005.

Use the following steps to re-register jdscript.dll and vbscript.dll:

1. Search Command Prompt in the Windows search bar or start menu. Using your mouse right click on the Command Prompt and click Run as administrator. Now you need to click on ‘Yes’ if it requires a confirmation.
2. Type regsvr32 jscript.dll and press Enter.
3. Then type regsvr32 vbscript.dll and press the Enter key.
4. Lastly restart your PC.

You can also download DLL files from dll-files.com and place them in the respective folders.

Reset Windows

If your problem hasn’t been solved yet, resetting Windows would surely solve it.

We recommend resetting your PC as a last resort because you will loose all the third party application installed on your PC.

However, you can choose to keep your files saved on the system or delete all of them while resetting the OS.

To reset Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset This PC > Get Started.

Select whether you want to keep your files and subsequently choose one of either cloud download or local re-install. A cloud download would require internet connection whereas local re-install would install the Windows on your PC again.

Click Next > Reset. The system will restart several times and take a while to re-install or reset the Windows.

Conclusion

Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell are used to execute entered commands.

After reading this article you can fix error code 0x80004005 with the help of Command Prompt and PowerShell.

If your computer has rebooted from a bug check kindly click here.

FAQs

What is an unspecified error?
Unspecified errors are the errors that can be caused by multiple reasons. However, most unspecified errors can be fixed by an SFC (System File Checker) scan. Open Windows command prompt as an administrator, type sfc /scannow and press enter to run a SFC scan.

How do I troubleshoot a Windows Update?
To use the troubleshooter for Windows Update, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter.