How to fix Update Error 0xa0000400 in Windows 10

The update error 0xa0000400 occurs when installing new cumulative updates on your Windows PC.
When it occurs, it prevents the downloading process to a certain percentage and displays an error message – “Something went wrong, You can contact Microsoft support for help with this error“.
Recent patch updates, Missing/corrupt update files, junk files, etc. can cause this issue on your computer.

Running networking apps such as Skype in the background or even the system configuration (which doesn’t support the updates file) may also lead to the Update Error 0xa0000400.

The exact reasons behind this bug are not clear yet. Hence, to fix this use the troubleshooter tool, run the Disk Cleanup utility, and manually install Windows updates. If all fail, using the Media Creation tool may solve this error message.

Fix Update Error 0xa0000400 in Windows 10

To fix the Windows Update Error 0xa0000400, use the following workarounds –

Disconnect the External Peripherals
Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Install Windows 10 Update manually
Temporarily disconnect the Internet connection
Delete Junk Files using Disk Cleanup
Run System Maintenance
Close Skype Update
Get the official ISO files

1. Disconnect the External Peripherals

The update error 0xa0000400 may settle down just after disconnecting the peripheral devices such as the game controller, digital camera, etc. This is possible as sometimes these devices unintentionally block several new tasks like installing updates thus causing similar conflicts.

Hence, remove the USB cable of such devices and Restart your PC. After the next login, you may try to update the Windows 10 OS without experiencing any issues.

2. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

The Troubleshooter is an inbuilt utility on Windows 10 that can repair corrupt files causing update-related troubles. It quickly identifies the underlying causes and may diagnose the issue. Here is the complete procedure –

- Press the Win & I shortcut to launch the Settings app.
- Select the Update & Security category then Troubleshoot on the left pane.
- Switch to the right panel and click Windows Update.
- Now, tap Run the troubleshooter to begin this process.

After completing the above steps, Restart your PC and check if the error 0xa0000400 occurs again or not.

3. Install Windows 10 Update manually

If you are unable to auto-update Windows 10 OS due to the 0xa0000400 error, you may try this manually as well. To do so, all you need is to know the KB number that is pending on your device. Here’s how to do it –

- First, visit the Microsoft Update Catalog link.
- Type the specific KB number at the void and click the search button.
- A list of cumulative updates containing the “typed KB” will appear.
- Select the one as per your system architecture and hit Download next to it.

- Once downloaded, double-click the setup file and go through the on-screen instructions to install the latest patch.

4. Temporarily disconnect the Internet connection

Sometimes, you may solve the Update error 0xa0000400 by just disconnecting the Internet connection. Once you download the Windows 10 updates, unplug the Ethernet cable or turn off WiFi.

5. Delete Junk Files using Disk Cleanup

The presence of residual junk files such as cache may also lead to this error. In that case, Disk Cleanup is a useful tool to safely remove unnecessary data on the Hard drive. Here’s how to proceed –

- Right-click on the Windows icon and select Run.
- Type cleanmgr at the void and hit OK.
- Here, select the root drive (C:) then tap OK again.
- On the next page, click the Clean up system files option.

- Choose C: drive again then OK to locate the storage that it can free up.
- Now, check all the check-boxes except Download and press OK to start this process.
- Click Delete files to confirm the clean-up.

6. Run System Maintenance

If somehow the system files get damaged, it may arise 0xa0000400 error while updating Windows 10. The System maintenance tool may help to locate and clean up non-essential files. Just perform the below steps –

- Type Control Panel in the search box and press the Enter key.
- On the succeeding window, select Small icons in view by category.
- Select Troubleshooting then View all links from the left pane.
- When the next window opens, locate and click System Maintenance thereafter Next.

- Wait for a while until the system detects and repairs any fault.
- When completed, update your existing OS.

7. Close Skype Update

A few users recommend halting the update of Skype software. As per them, doing this may solve the underlying reasons behind the update error 0xa0000400.

So before going to download the recent patches, close Skype and its related processes as well on the Task Manager. If you don’t know, here is the complete process –

Press the Ctrl + Shift + Del shortcut to launch the Signup window.
Select the Task Manager option.
Under the processes tab, select Skype or its services then press End task.
Once over, retry to download the pending patches (if available).

8. Get the official ISO files

In case you still experience the Update Error 0xa0000400 while installing Windows 10 updates, you can use the Media Creation Tool. To do so, use the following steps –

First of all, download the Media Creation file.
Go to the saved location, right-click on it, and select Run as Administrator.
If the UAC prompt appears, select Yes to permit access.
Succeeding that Accept the license terms and conditions.