You might be encountering error PSFX_E_MATCHING_BINARY_MISSING 0x800f0984 when trying to install Windows update. Because of this issue, the update fails to install specifically on the computers which have received the cumulative updates KB5003690 or KB5003214. These devices are unable to get KB5004945 rolled out on 6 July 2021 and later updates and throw the error code. You might be knowing that KB5003690 and KB5003214 were released on 6 July and 21 June 2021 successively. Windows 10 21H1, 20H2, and 2004 have received KB5005322 to fix this Windows update error.
Microsoft has analyzed the problem and made the statement that – This issue occurs on devices that have been scavenged automatically to remove outdated resource records. When a system is scavenged, the recently installed LCU is marked as permanent and the older components are deleted from the system. After the process gets over and a device is in this state, you cannot uninstall KB5003690 or KB5003214 and you cannot receive further Cumulative Updates.
KB5005322 to Fix PSFX_E_MATCHING_BINARY_MISSING Windows 10 21H1, 2004, 20H2
Here is the workaround in KB5005322 to fix PSFX_E_MATCHING_BINARY_MISSING –
When facing this error you are recommended to perform an in-place upgrade. An in-place upgrade will install an operating system on your device without removing the older version first therefore your files, apps, and settings will not be affected. Follow the steps to do an in-place upgrade –
First, wait for the Windows Update Medic Service aka WaaSMedicSVC to automatically execute an in-place upgrade. This Service runs in the background and detects and repairs Windows updates depending on the WaaS Assessment Impact Level. This in-place upgrade will only run automatically on devices that are significantly out of date.
Alternatively, you can also manually run in-place upgrade as a faster workaround using the following steps –
Keep in mind that the in-place upgrade option will be working only within 30 days of obtaining the update.
Remark: For ARM64 powered computers, an in-place upgrade will only work if KB5005932 has already been installed. You can confirm that the patch has been installed from the location at Settings => Windows Update => Update History > Other Updates. In case, KB5005932 is not showing in the list, click Check for Updates on the Windows Update settings page to initiate a scan. Now follow the steps –
- Press – Winkey.
- Type – cmd.
- Select – Run as administrator.
- Click Yes when the User Account Control shows up.
- Copy the following text and paste into the command prompt –
Reg.exe Add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion /v AllowInplaceUpgrade /t REG_DWORD /f /d 1- Press – Enter.
- Restart your machine.
After execution of this command, the registry value will be added and it will automatically be deleted once the in-place upgrade is over. It may take up to 48 hours. With the effect of this, the device will update to a clean version that is currently on the system. It will receive the latest monthly security update as well. Once the in-place upgrade is finished, the device will be able to install new updates as usual.
Source – Microsoft support.