Windows 11 24H2 Update KB5068861 Failing with Error 0x800f0983

[HaniRouatbi1]

Hi,

I'm running Windows 11 Version 24H2 (OS Build 26100.6899) on an HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop PC TG02-0000i (491A7AV). I'm trying to install the November 2025 Security Update (KB5068861, build 26100.7171), but the install consistently fails with error code 0x800f0983.
For clarity, other updates such as Windows Defender updates install without any issues — the problem seems isolated to this specific cumulative update.

From Microsoft forums this often points to servicing/component store corruption, but since this is an HP machine I'm also wondering if there are any HP-specific firmware, BIOS, or driver interactions I should check.

What I’ve already tried

• Windows Update Troubleshooter — Ran multiple times via Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters. It detects little or nothing and doesn't resolve the failure.
• Reset Windows Update components — Stopped services (wuauserv, cryptSvc, bits, msiserver), renamed SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2, restarted services and rebooted. No change.
• SFC and DISM — Ran:

  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  sfc /scannow

  Both completed without integrity violations, but the update still fails.
• Manual install via Microsoft Update Catalog — Downloaded the KB5068861 .msu (~3.5 GB) and attempted the standalone installer. It fails with the same error.

System details

• Model: HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop PC TG02-0000i (491A7AV)
• CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F
• Windows: Windows 11 Version 24H2 (OS Build 26100.6899)
• BIOS Version/Date: AMI F.31 (14 Oct 2024) — reported from System Information
• No recent hardware changes. BIOS reported as up-to-date via HP Support Assistant.

What I'm asking / looking for

I'd appreciate any HP-specific suggestions or checks — for example:

• Known issues or hotfixes / softpaqs from HP related to recent Windows 11 cumulative updates for this model.
• Whether BIOS F.31 (Oct 14, 2024) could be related — should I try a different BIOS revision or a CMOS clear?
• Which HP Hardware Diagnostics should I run to rule out storage/drive issues that might affect servicing?
• Any chipset/Intel driver versions that are known to cause servicing/component-store failures on 24H2 builds.
• Other HP community members who resolved the same 0x800f0983 failure on this model.

[Bill_To]

Greetings @HaniRouatbi1 

Welcome to the HP Forum.

Opinions or troubleshooting suggestions in this response are provided independently. I am not employed by: HP, Inc. or the HP Forum.

Very nice troubleshooting.

Have you checked the Windows EFI System Partition size?

I bumped my EFI partition size from 100 MBs to 300 MBs a good while ago. I had no problem installing KB5068861 on version 25H2.

Maybe try a "non-destructive" W11 in-place upgrade. But back up system drive data first if you try the upgrade.

I can't think of any other reason why you cannot install this update.

Regards

[HaniRouatbi1 · Accepted solution]

@Bill_To Thanks a lot for your reply and for taking the time to help! I already resolved the issue, and I want to share the solution.
What worked for me was going to Settings → System → Recovery → “Fix problems using Windows Update” → Reinstall now. The repair completed successfully, kept all my files, apps, and data, and afterward the KB5068861 update installed without any issues.
Thanks again for your support!

[Bill_To]

Greetings @HaniRouatbi1 

My pleasure.

A Windows 11 in-place upgrade located in Settings>System>Recovery is a great tool.

I've used this option many times to fix hard to fix Windows problems.

Regards

[trs3]

Lots of people are reporting this problem. This is the third Win11 update with the same widespread problems in the last 3 months.

I am also on 24H2. This update failed to install 5 times, most recently on November 15.  I tried all the usual things, including a repair install, which broke my hotkey indicator lights.

The solution that worked for me was to restore an image backup from October 16 and then run Windows update. The .NET  8 and 9 updates failed to install on the first pass, but KB5068861 succeeded. After a reboot, the .NET updates also installed. I suppose someone could try uninstalling those .NET updates before attempting to install KB5068861.

Other updates that were included in that batch were yet another pair of HP Keyboard - 11.1.9.1 and SoftwareComponent - 8.10.29.1 updates. Still don't know what that's about.

[Bill_To]

Greetings @trs3 

Very good troubleshooting.

Windows is a complex beast. 

And there have been some recent buggy Windows updates lately.

Regards