How to Fix “Error 0xc000006d” on Windows 10/11?

The Windows update error 0xc000006d is mostly encountered when users try to log in to their system after updating the Windows. It generally appears with a small message “Something went wrong and your PIN is not available status:0xc000006d, substatus: 0xc0070016”.

Error 0xc000006d
Error 0xc000006d

This event is generated on the system where a login attempt was made thereby hindering the users to log in to the Windows by giving them a warning message that the credentials entered by them are incorrect or could not be verified. The error is seen on both the Windows 10 as well as Windows 11 systems. Therefore, this error needs to be fixed as soon as possible.

So, here in this article, you will find the most probable causes of this error and the effective solutions to get past the error and update the Windows system. But before diving deep into the solutions let’s first have a quick look at some causes of this error. As it is always important to know the root cause of the error because it not only helps you to pick the most suitable solution but also it saves your time and patience too.

  • Windows Updated Cache: The Windows update cache gets stored every time you install the update and this temporary cache stored while updating your Windows version may trigger such an error and stop the update from installing. So, you can fix this issue by clearing the updated windows cache.
  • Incomplete or Incorrect Windows Installation process: Sometimes the Windows update process gets interrupted or stopped in between then you might face this error while logging in to your system. Check for the Windows installation process and then try updating it again.
  • Malfunction System Operation- If somehow, you’re the operation malfunctions due to internal glitches and bugs then it might cause this 0xc000006d error to occur. So, try finding the source of the malfunctioning operation and try to fix it.
  • The local WU component issues- In many cases, you are likely to see the error when some sort of corruption affects the Windows update dependencies and files. You need to fix the error by fixing the corruption issue, you can update the operating system build through the Media creation tool.
  • Antivirus Confliction – The antivirus program installed on your system is more likely to conflict with the update process and block the update process from installing and this may lead to the error and stop the update from installing or getting stuck in between.
  • System Files Corruption – Corrupted Windows system files are likely to cause various issues and errors with the Windows system and the update process. Repairing the corrupted system file may work for you to solve the error.

Now, that you are aware of some possible causes of such errors, you can easily be able to pick the most suitable and effective solutions among the various to fix the same.

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Before starting with the other solutions listed it is suggested to run the inbuilt Windows Update troubleshooter. Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 incorporate various inbuilt repair strategies which help you to fix various failures that cause the update to get stuck in between.

The inbuilt Windows Update Troubleshooter comprises numerous automated reparation tactics which will be functional automatically if any type of irregularity is found. The utility will automatically recommend a viable fix that you can apply with a simple click.

Some users facing the same problem are able to fix the problem with the Windows Update troubleshooter and are able to install the pending update without seeing the error.

Follow the steps given to run the tool:

  1. Press the Win key + R to launch the Run dialog box. And in the Run box type “ms-settings-troubleshoot” and hit Enter for opening the Troubleshooting tab of the Settings app.
    ms-settings-troubleshoot
    Run ms-settings.troubleshoot
  2. Then in the Troubleshooting tab, go to the Getup and running section and then click on Windows Update.
  3. Here, click on Run the troubleshooter from the appeared menu.
    Open up the Windows Update troubleshooter
  4. At this point, the troubleshooter will start scanning and automatically begin to scan your system of any irregularities. Wait until the scan process is complete.

Note: This capacity will decide if any of the maintenance systems included with it are a counterpart for your specific Windows rendition.

  1. After some time, you will be given another window in which you can tap on Apply this fix to apply the suggested fix.
    apply-this-fix-windows-update
    Apply this fix to the windows update
  2. Note: You could have to adhere to a progression of extra guidelines to implement the suggested fix, contingent upon which one gets suggested.

When you run this tool and apply the suggested fix, restart your PC and check whether the mistake code is settled.

Perform SFC Scan

In some instances, some malfunctioned system operations can also trigger such errors. So if this is the case then try finding the source of malfunctioned operation and resolve it by performing an SFC scan on your system. To do so you can simply follow the below-guided steps accordingly:

  1. Go to the search box or press Win+R
  2. Now, type cmd on the search box, then right-click on the cmd icon and go for the option Run as an administrator.
    launch the command prompt
    Launch the Command Prompt
  3. If you are prompted for the admin password, enter the password and click OK.
  4. Then on the cmd panel type the command sfc/scannow and hit Enter.
    Perform an SFC Scan
  5. Now, wait for the SFC to scan your entire system and repair the corrupted or malfunctioned system operations.

Note: [Do not perform any other action while the scanning is in process]

Once the scanning is done, restart your system and check if any updates are available. If prompted update your Windows version once again to avoid such errors.

Clear The Temporary Windows Update Cache

Sometimes the temporary cache generated while the Windows updating process leads to such an error when installing the update. Therefore, try clearing the cache first to get past this error. To do so follow the quick steps below:

  1. Press the Win+R key all together to open the Run command.
  2. Type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore in the box and click OK.
    Type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
  3. Now it will open the Windows Explorer in the correct location.
  4. Delete all the appeared contents on this folder.

After deleting all the temporary cache data restart your system and check for the updates, if any available update your Windows once again without any interruptions.

Restart The System and try with Safe Mode

If you are still seeing the error:0xc000006d while installing the update, then it is worth trying booting the Windows system in safe mode and then installing the update. Starting your system with Safe Mode with networking allow the limited programs and device to run and allow you to install the update without seeing any error.

Follow the steps below to do so:

  1. Click on the Power symbol at the login screen.
  2. Press Shift and click on Restart
  3. Once your system gets restarted, select the Troubleshoot
    Accessing the Troubleshoot menu
  4. Go for the Advanced options under Troubleshoot screen.
  5. Select Startup Settings.
    Accessing the Startup Settings menu
  6. Now click on Restart and follow the onscreen steps to go for Safe Mode with networking options and verify if you are able to log on or not.
    Safe Mode with Networking
  7. If you logged on successfully then create a new user account and link the Microsoft account to verify if the issue persists.

If still seeing the error then head to the next possible solution.

Clean Windows Update Download Path

If still seeing the error 0xc000006d then the next step is to clean the Windows Update download path. As there are ample chances that some sort of corruption or missing files is stopping the update from installing.

Note: Clearing the download path is very dangerous as you need to clean it via the Windows registry and a small mistake can damage your entire system and your Windows system won’t run.

Now, here it is suggested that you must perform this solution only when you are an experienced user as messing up your computer with Regedit, could make you lose your files.

So, to clean the Windows Update path follow the below steps:

  1. Press Win+R keys simultaneously.
  2. Now type regedit and hit Enter.
    Accessing the Regedit screen
  3. Now, go for the navigation on the left side of the newly appeared window and navigate for
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
      Head to the location HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
  4. On finding it search for WIStatusServer and WUServer on the right-hand side.
  5. Now, clean the listed downloaded path that appeared on the screen. If the path is not listed then you cannot clear the path.

Finally, after cleaning restart your computer and check for the updates again. If available install it this time successfully and log in to your system.

Reconfigure the way of Behaving of WU-related Services

Another possible reason behind why you can hope to manage this issue is a situation where a few Windows Update-related administrations and conditions are not designed as expected.

So, here it is suggested to check the WU dependencies are not disabled as this might be conflicting with the update process and stopping the update from downloading. You can do this by getting to the administrations screen and confirming that the below-given services are all enabled:

  • Background Intelligent Transfer Service
  • COM+ Event System
  • DCOM Server Process Launcher
  • Windows Update
  • Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

This is the way to guarantee that the above administrations are enabled completely:

  1. Start by hitting the Windows key + R to open up a Run box.
  2. Next, type ‘services.msc’ inside the text box and press Enter to open up the Administrations screen
    Type services.msc and click Ok
  3. Inside the Administrations screen, look down through the rundown of administrations and ensure that each help underneath is empowered:
  • Background Intelligent Transfer Service
  • COM+ Event System
  • DCOM Server Process Launcher
  • Windows Update
  • Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

Note: Really look at each support to check whether they’re crippled by right-clicking. On the off chance that you have the choice to tap on Start, it implies the assistance is debilitated – for this situation you want to enable it by tapping on Start.
Note: As a little something extra advance, double-tap on each help referenced above and change the Startup type of each to Automatic from the General tab.

Starting the service

Now try installing the update to see if the error 0xc000006d is resolved on Windows 10/11 system.

Clean Install Using Media Creation Tool

If in case the local Windows Update Component (WU) is broken Then in this case it is best to install the update using the Media Creation tool to deal with the forthcoming updates.

This strategy may be somewhat boring, however, it will assist you with downloading and installing the update without seeing any errors.

Follow the instructions given below for specific instructions for performing a system-wide update using the Media Creation Tool:

  1. Open up your internet browser and visit one of the Media Creation tool download pages, in the event that you’re utilizing Windows 10 or Windows 11:
  2. Then, from the committed page, click on the Download Now option (under the option create Windows 11 Installation Media) and hold on until the executable is downloaded locally.
    Downloading the compatible installation media

Once the executable is downloaded, open it with administrator privileges and adhere to the on-screen guidelines to finish the refreshing technique.

Above are the most potential solutions mentioned to fix Windows update error 0xc000006d error. I hope you find these solutions effective and be able to resolve your problem in no time on applying them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hardeep Kaur


Hardeep is a passionate technical writer with more than 7 years of experience. She has a keen interest in PC games, Windows OS and everything surrounding it. She is a technology enthusiast and fascinated with technology since her childhood days.