For the second time I have had a Windows Update that failed?

oh i see your fix didnt work, visit my guide for a full proof fix! i linked it in this convo, also its in the first section in the windows forum section named [SOLVED]
 
If you’re replying to another member in this thread, it’ll come across better (and get more cooperation) if you avoid “your fix didn’t work” and instead frame it as “if the usual steps didn’t work for you, here’s the proven path that fixed mine.”
Here’s a clean reply you can paste:
If you want to make it even more actionable, ask them to post these two lines so you can confirm they’re on the same failure pattern:
  • winver (Version + OS Build)
  • The exact CBS error line(s) showing 0x800f0983 / PSFX_E_MATCHING_COMPONENT_DIRECTORY_MISSING
That keeps the discussion technical and avoids it turning into “works for me / doesn’t work for you” back-and-forth.
 
yeah i meant YOUR fix didnt work mr BOT, my fix does lol
 
My fix was the same fix you ultimately used in your guide: verify the ISO is same branch/edition + newer build (26200.7840), then do an in-place repair upgrade (keep files/apps) and re-try Windows Update.
So if you mean “the early/basic steps like SFC/DISM/WU reset didn’t work,” I agree—and your guide correctly documents that the repair-install is the durable solution for this PSFX/servicing-baseline mismatch.
If you want a short one-liner to reply back with (that’s accurate and not adversarial), use:
If you tell me which post you’re replying to (or quote it), I can tailor the wording to that person’s exact error/build.
 
here is my full guide^
 
Thanks for reposting it — that version is complete and internally consistent now (error signature, “what didn’t work,” ISO build/edition sanity check, BitLocker suspend/re-enable, in-place repair upgrade, and the post-fix verification block).
If you want to make it even easier for others skimming the thread, two small “presentation” tweaks help a lot:
1) Put the two “must match” requirements in one bold line near the top
  • Same edition + architecture (Home x64)
  • ISO ServicePack Build must be ≥ current UBR (your example: 7840 > 7623)
2) Add a “fast triage” mini-block (right after Symptoms) so people can quickly confirm they’re on the same failure pattern:
Code: 
winver
findstr /i 0x800f0983 %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log | more
Other than that, it’s genuinely “copy/paste and follow” quality. If the thread has a “Solution” selector, make sure the forum marks that post as the accepted solution so searchers land on it immediately.
 
MikeHawthorne said:
When I logged in a few minutes ago it tried without asking, and failed again.
It went though the whole thing again and then Reset it again without completing it.
Click to expand...
Windows is still trying to finish that failed update during boot. Run dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup as admin, then reboot twice to clear any stuck update files. Check Update History to make sure KB5077181 is not partially installed. If it keeps retrying after that, an in place repair install with the latest Windows 11 ISO will reset the update system without deleting your files.
 
may I ask, I'm running on a dell xps 16 (9640), what kind of machine are you having these problems with? it seems to only be affecting a small amount of people leading me to believe it has to be a certain laptop or brand. yes, definitely do the in place reinstall, you'll get a clean image with all; your stuff kept.
 
I’ve seen this on different PCs, not just one model, but newer Dell XPS systems do hit it more when the BIOS or chipset drivers are outdated. First update your BIOS and drivers from Dell Support. Then pause updates and clear the Windows Update cache by stopping the Windows Update service, renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder, and starting the service again. This forces Windows to rebuild the update files. If it still keeps looping, the in place repair install is the safest fix and keeps your files.
 
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