How to resolve Windows 10 Troubleshooter error 0x803c0103?

Every Windows user was excited when Microsoft released Windows 10. The user interface and features were unlike anything we had seen before. It was a major improvement from Windows 8, which many users consider a disaster. But as with all Windows versions, we are still battling with bugs and errors. Microsoft is trying to correct these errors through the release of updates.

In this article, we are going to show you how to fix the 0x803c0103 error on Windows 10. Before that, let’s discuss the error and why you experience it.

What is Windows Update Troubleshooter error code 0x803c0103?

Windows updates, which are geared to give users new features, fix bugs, and deliver a whole new experience while using the operating system, can sometimes also be faulty. This is more troublesome in Windows 10 because these updates were made mandatory by Microsoft, and they will be installed even if you are against it. So, it was almost impossible to prevent these errors by holding back the updates. More importantly, when users encounter problems with Windows updates, one of the first solutions in almost every guide is to use the Windows Update Troubleshooter. This is a built-in tool to help users fix common errors that occur while using the Windows operating system. Unfortunately, the error code 0x803c0103 indicates a problem with the Windows Update Troubleshooter. This means that it will be difficult to fix any issues you encounter while updating your operating system.

Table of Contents

1. Run DISM and SFC
2. Reset the Update services
3. Scan your computer for viruses
4. Download a different troubleshooter from Microsoft
5. Perform a system restore
6. Reset your PC

Solution 1. Run DISM and SFC

SFC and DISM are tools used to find and fix errors with your system files and settings. In this case, we need to use these tools to find and fix issues with the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Here is how to run SFC and DISM:

• Right-click on the Home or Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) to run it as an administrator.
• Once the Command Prompt window opens, input “sfc /scannow” (no quotes) and press Enter on your keyboard.
• Once the command has completed, do the same for the following commands and press Enter after each:
• DISM /online /Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth
• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Now, you need to wait for the process to complete, then exit Command Prompt and restart your computer.

Solution 2. Reset the Update services

Sometimes, it may be that the update files are corrupted and that is what is causing the problem. For this, you need to reset the Update services and check if the error is resolved. Before this, you need first to uninstall any recent updates you tried to install.

• Click on the Home or Start button and select the gear icon to open the Settings app.
• Now, click on Update and Security from the list of options available.
• In the Windows Update tab, click on View update history.
• In the next window, click Uninstall updates, and select the most recent update you installed.
• Once this is done, we can now proceed to reset the Update services.
• Open Command Prompt as an administrator as shown above, then input the following commands and press Enter after each:
• net stop wuauserv
• net stop bits
• net stop cryptsvc
• ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
• ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
• net start wuauserv
• net start bits
• net start cryptsvc

Once you are done, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer, then check if the error has been fixed.

Solution 3. Scan your computer for viruses

One of the most common reasons why your system files may be corrupted is a virus infection. So, you will need to remove any malware that may be corrupting your files from your system. To do this, we recommend that you download and install Auslogics Anti-Malware. This tool will scan your computer for malware entities and eliminate them. You will be able to browse the internet without the worry of picking up viruses. This tool also gives you the option to schedule regular scans of your system to make sure it is free of all viruses. Here is how to download and install Auslogics Anti-Malware:

• Follow the link provided above to download the setup file for Auslogics Anti-Malware.
• Wait for the download to complete, then run the setup file from the download folder.
• Once the Auslogics Anti-Malware installer opens, choose your language and installation directory, then select Click to install.
• In the next window, click Finish to proceed.
• Navigate to the Scanners tab and select the type of scan you prefer. We recommend that you perform a deep scan.
• Now, click Start Scan. This tool will check your computer for all viruses and eliminate them.

Solution 4. Download a different troubleshooter from Microsoft

You can always download an alternative Update Troubleshooter from Microsoft if the built-in one is not working. This tool should be able to do the job. It does not need any form of installation; once it is downloaded, you just need to run it. The downloaded troubleshooter will scan your system for update issues and fix them.

Solution 5. Perform a system restore

Performing a system restore will revert any changes made to your system files and settings that could be causing the 0x803c0103 error code. This tool can help you solve lots of errors in your system only if you created restore points. It will solve the issue by reverting your computer to a time when the error had not occurred. Take note that this process will not affect your personal files and folders. Here is how to perform a system restore:

• Click the Start or Home and type “recovery” (no quotes) in the search box and press Enter. This will open the Recovery window in Control Panel.
• Select Open System Restore, then click Next to proceed.
• In the next window, choose a timestamp that is before you began experiencing the 0x803c0103 error code.
• Click on Next to proceed.
• Now, follow the instructions of the wizard to complete the process.
• Check if the errors have been resolved once the computer restarts.

Solution 6. Reset your PC

This should be the last resort when all the above solutions do not work. Resetting your PC will revert all the settings to the factory values. The length of this process will depend on the specs of your computer. There are 2 possible routes you can take when resetting your PC, i.e., keep your files and settings or delete everything. We will advise you to keep the files and settings if you have important data stored on your PC. Here is how to reset your PC:

• Press the Windows logo key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
• Select Update and Security from the options available.
• In the next window, go to the Recovery tab and click Get started under the Reset this PC option.
• Now, you need to follow the instructions of the wizard to complete the process. Do not forget to choose the option to keep your files and settings if there is data on your drive you wish to preserve.

Pro tip: If your computer has decreased in performance out of a sudden, there are some explanations for this phenomenon. First, it could be that junk files have accumulated in your system, making it slow. These files could also serve as hosts for viruses, which is not a good sign. Furthermore, unnecessary background apps could be draining resources that are needed for other important tasks. To fix this problem, we recommend that you download and install Auslogics BoostSpeed. This tool will delete all the junk files and disable the unnecessary background apps, making your system return to its former glory.

We hope that this article has solved the 0x803c0103 error on Windows 10. Share it with others who encounter this error.

We appreciate your ideas and comments, and we are ready to answer all your questions regarding this topic.