question

ParallaxAbstraction-1840 avatar image
0 Votes"
ParallaxAbstraction-1840 asked BrandonM-0342 commented

Cannot install cumulative updates on Server 2016, keeps undoing

Hi everyone.

I've seen other posts about this issue but have not managed to find a solution that works for me. I have a Server 2016 machine at a client's. For the last month or two, it has been rendered unable to install any monthly cumulative updates. The update install, reboots, says in the post reboot that the update failed and then spend the better part of an hour undoing it.

I've tried all the common solutions to this including:
-Renaming the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders
-Running an sfc /scannow
-Running the standard suite of DISM health check commands
-Installing the latest CU (KB4577015) manually

Nothing has worked. This is a bare metal server with a number of applications on it and reloading it from scratch is not viable. This issue just kind of manifested out of nowhere and I'm at a loss.

One thing I did notice is that the sfc would say there was some files it could repair and they were always Windows Defender related. I tried removing Windows Defender from the Features/Roles consoles and that would make sfc start succeeding but the update issue continued.

If anyone is able to help out or provide suggestions here, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Here's the WindowsUpdate.log file: 24927-windowsupdatelog.txt


windows-server-2016
windowsupdatelog.txt (237.5 KiB)
· 2
5 |1600 characters needed characters left characters exceeded
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Visible to all users

Up to 10 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 3.0 MiB each and 30.0 MiB total.

KelvinJones-8641 avatar image KelvinJones-8641 ·

I have the same problem but on a VM running as an all-in-one Domain Controller/File Server/SQL Express.

So if there's a fix I'd love to know too.

0 Votes 0 ·
BrandonM-0342 avatar image BrandonM-0342 ·

Last two cumulative updates have been a problem for a number of our 2016 servers as well. Looks like we may have some 2019 server failing this month. Windows Update history will show that it Failed, but event log shows nothing other than the installation "Started". I attempted to try the 2020-11 CU install again on a failed system by first rebooting and then kicking off the installation. It looks to get pretty far through it. I can see much activity from the TIWorker, but it again failed with no real explanation. These CU installation problems seem to have started with these Servicing Stack updates being released. I know that CU usually need to have the SSU installed or they can fail, but it just seems like that doesn't always matter.

0 Votes 0 ·

5 Answers

DSPatrick avatar image
1 Vote"
DSPatrick answered ParallaxAbstraction-1840 commented

Might try manual install the latest SSU
http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4576750

followed by the latest cumulative update.
http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4577015


--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--





· 1
5 |1600 characters needed characters left characters exceeded
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Visible to all users

Up to 10 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 3.0 MiB each and 30.0 MiB total.

ParallaxAbstraction-1840 avatar image ParallaxAbstraction-1840 ·

I'm certainly up for giving that a shot. The servicing stack updates are installed by Windows Update as well aren't they? Cause one of those isn't pending. I'll give this a shot though and see. Thanks.

0 Votes 0 ·
DSPatrick avatar image
0 Votes"
DSPatrick answered ParallaxAbstraction-1840 commented

Windows update would automatically install the SSU in background, but if you're doing manual then the SSU is a prerequisite.

--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--






· 1
5 |1600 characters needed characters left characters exceeded
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Visible to all users

Up to 10 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 3.0 MiB each and 30.0 MiB total.

ParallaxAbstraction-1840 avatar image ParallaxAbstraction-1840 ·

I just tried to install the latest SSU package and it said it's already present.

0 Votes 0 ·
DSPatrick avatar image
0 Votes"
DSPatrick answered ParallaxAbstraction-1840 commented

Some things to try;

  • sfc /scannow

  • dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

  • https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/4027322/windows-update-troubleshooter

  • or possibly removing the most recent successful cumulative update. and try installing latest update again.

  • repair install by running setup.exe from the root of install media

  • or also by pouring over the \dism.log, \windowsupdate.log, \cbs.log looking for and replacing the missing / corrupt files from another server,
    I wouldn't hold a lot of hope for this path. More than likely time would be better spent standing up a new one, patch it fully, migrate roles over and move on.

--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--













· 1
5 |1600 characters needed characters left characters exceeded
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Visible to all users

Up to 10 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 3.0 MiB each and 30.0 MiB total.

ParallaxAbstraction-1840 avatar image ParallaxAbstraction-1840 ·

As I said in my original post, I've tried the first two already.

Repair installs as you describe are possible on Windows Server without losing any data?

I was hoping someone might see something in the logs I don't because after going through them, I can't find the issue.

Also as I said, this is a small environment and starting up a new server and migrating everything over is not a viable solution because Windows suddenly broke itself.

0 Votes 0 ·
DSPatrick avatar image
0 Votes"
DSPatrick answered

migrating everything over is not a viable solution

I don't think this is sustainable. Debugging log files is beyond scope of forums capability. I'd suggest starting a case here with product support.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/hub/4343728/support-for-business

--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--










5 |1600 characters needed characters left characters exceeded
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Visible to all users

Up to 10 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 3.0 MiB each and 30.0 MiB total.

LarryLovering-4814 avatar image
0 Votes"
LarryLovering-4814 answered BrandonPembo-8479 published

I also have the same question; Windows Server Essentials 2016 is on a VM, and KB4577015 can't be installed. After it looks like it installed, it asks for reboot, and the reboot takes us back to the desktop. There is no dialog that shows the percent installed.

· 1
5 |1600 characters needed characters left characters exceeded
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Visible to all users

Up to 10 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 3.0 MiB each and 30.0 MiB total.

BrandonPembo-8479 avatar image BrandonPembo-8479 ·

I'm having the same issue with my 2016 domain controllers. I found downloading the CU from windows catalog and then disabling the Network adapter on the server and running the update manually and offline allows the update to install. But I cannot figure out why this is happening.

0 Votes 0 ·