Fix Update Error 0x8031004a in Windows 11 or 10 (Solved!)

You might face a nagging problem upgrading the system to Windows 11 or 10 in the middle of the process. Error code 0x8031004a is such an issue which appears when using Installation Assistant or automatic Windows update.

The problem mostly occurs due to disk space running short, enabled Bitlocker, faulty components, or third-party antivirus programs. See solutions to – How to Fix Windows update error 0x80070422. Thankfully, you can successfully fix this problem with the guidelines in this post –

Update Error 0x8031004a in Windows 11 or 10

Here is how to fix update Error 0x8031004a in Windows 11 or 10 –

Way-1: Free up disk space

Most common reason behind this error code is lack of storage in the system even Windows setup suggests “We can’t tell if you have enough space” when the upgradation stops.

You might be aware of effective tools such as Disk Cleanup and Storage sense to help fix this problem. All you need is to follow the steps –

1. Press – Windows + Q.
2. Type – cleanmgr.
3. Hit Enter to launch the Disk Cleanup pop-up.
4. Choose (C:) and click OK.
5. On the next window, click on – Clean up system files.
6. Again select (C:) and click “OK”.
7. The tool will figure out how much data is deletable and show it in a window. Check all the options and click on OK.
8. Select Delete files.

Read – Windows 11/10 – How to Open and Use Disk Cleanup.

Way-2: Bring Windows update troubleshooter into action

Windows comes with single-click Fixit tools to deal with errors related to different components. Windows update troubleshooter is a part of them that detects problems, checks for pending restarts, missing and corrupt files, registry, services registration, and initializes diagnostic to repair the issues. So, follow the steps –

1. Click on Start located at taskbar.
2. Type – troubleshooter.
3. Hit the Enter key.
4. Select Other troubleshooters. (In Windows 10, it is “Additional troubleshooter”.)
5. Find Windows update and click on Run. If you are on Windows 10, click on “Run the troubleshooter”.

6. Allow the utility to complete troubleshooting and then navigate to “Settings => Windows update”, and click on Check for updates.

Way-3: Reset Windows update components

Resetting the corrupted Windows update components is often found helpful to fix the error code 0x8031004a. This method will stop the services responsible to handle Windows update process, rename the softwaredistribution and catroot2 folders and then start the services again –

1. Press Windows and S.
2. Type – cmd.exe.
3. Select – Run as administrator.
4. Once User account control dialog popup appears, click on Yes.
5. Type the following syntax one line at a time and hit Enter –

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

6. Restart the PC and check if the error is resolved.

Alternatively, use the script to reset the components –

1. Click o the link Reset_Windows_11_update.zip
2. Extract the file and find the file WuReset.bat.
3. Right-click on this batch file and select Run as administrator.
4. Press any key to continue when you are asked.
5. In the end, restart your PC and check whether the error is fixed.

Way-4: Turn off BitLocker

BitLocker bug also causes the Windows update to fail and display error 0x8031004a so disabling the Drive Encryption setting might fix this drawback. Here is how –

1. Click on Search.
2. Type control.
3. Press the Enter key.
4. Once Control panel is up on the screen, click on BitLocker Drive Encryption.
5. Click on Turn off BitLocker.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Way-5: Run SFC and DISM utilities

This Windows update error following the trail of other issues has more or less chance to occur when System files are corrupted. Actually, because of conflicts between core components and third-party programs, predominantly antivirus the problem arises. Fortunately, Windows incorporates utilities to resolve the issues and all you need is to follow the steps below –

1. Click on the Search icon.
2. Type cmd.
3. Select – Run as administrator.
4. When a User account control dialog appears, click on Yes.
5. Type the command – SFC /Scannow.
6. Hit Enter to execute it and wait for some time until the task is finished.
7. Restart the PC, launch the elevated command prompt, and type –

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

8. Press Enter and allow this utility to complete its task.
9. Reboot and see if the error has been solved.

Way-6: Uninstall 3rd party programs

Sometimes, in spite of following the above solutions, the Windows update failed error 0x8031004a might not get fixed. This is due to third party programs’ interference with the basic operations of Windows which could create conflicts and major glitches in file structure. So uninstall the app using the guidelines ahead –

1. Right-click on the – Start.
2. Select – Run.
3. Type appwiz.cpl.
4. Hit –  Enter.
5. Locate any third-party program and right-click on it.
6. Select – Uninstall.

7. Go with the on-screen instructions if you are shown.
8. Repeat the same procedures if other programs of this kind are installed.

Way-7: Perform In-Place upgrade

When getting 0x8031004a, In-Place upgrade might be useful to rescue you and help to install Windows update. This technique upgrades the system to the latest version of Windows where the most recent quality updates are included. This way you do not bother to install the update you are trying to currently and failing –

1. Go to this page – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
2. Scroll down to the section showing “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)”.
3. Click on – Select Download.
4. Choose – Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO).
5. Next, click on – Download.
6. Select a Language and Confirm.
7. Now download the ISO file and right-click on it.
8. Select – Mount.
9. On the next folder, double-click on the setup file.
10. Choose Next on the window showing on the display.
11. Then the license agreement window will come; select – Accept.
12. The program will scan the system to confirm that there is required free space on your system.
13. On the Ready to install wizard, check the option saying – Keep personal files and apps.
14. Select – Install.
15. The system will restart several times and carry you to the lock screen where sign is needed only to get access to the desktop.

Methods:
Way-1: Free up disk space
Way-2: Bring Windows update troubleshooter into action
Way-3: Reset Windows update components
Way-4: Turn off BitLocker
Way-5: Run SFC and DISM utilities
Way-6: Uninstall 3rd party programs
Way-7: Perform In-Place upgrade

That’s all!!