Fix Microsoft Office ‘Error Code 30088-26’ when Updating Office

Some Windows users are reporting that they always end up seeing the ‘Error Code: 30088-26‘ when they attempt to install their Office Suite on their computer. This issue is reported to occur on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.

After investigating this issue thoroughly, it turns out that there are several different underlying causes that might be responsible for the apparition of the ‘Error Code: 30088-26‘. Here’s a list of culprits that are responsible for this issue:

Now that you are familiar with every potential culprit that might be causing this error, here’s a list of methods that other affected users have successfully used to get to the bottom of this issue:

Method 1: Repairing the Office Installation

In case you’re seeing this error while attempting to install an upgrade for a sub-application of the Office Suite (like Word, Excel, or Powerpoint), it’s likely that you’re dealing with a corruption issue rooted in your Registry files.

As several different affected users have confirmed, you might expect to see this error after an AV ended up quarantining some files belonging to the Microsoft Office suite.

If this scenario looks like it could be applicable, the Office installation should be capable of repairing itself along with every associated corrupted registry file.

Follow the instructions below to initiate an Office repair from the Programs and Features menu:

1. Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘appwiz.cpl’ inside the text box and press Enter to open up the Programs and Features menu.

   

2. Inside the Programs and Features menu, scroll down through the list of installed applications and locate the Office Installation that is triggering the 30088-26 error code.
3. When you manage to identify the correct entry, right-click on Microsoft Office and click on Change from the newly appeared context menu.

   

4. At the next screen, choose the Online Repair option, ensure that your Internet connection is active and wait until the operation is complete.

   

5. Wait until the operation is complete, then restart your computer and see if the problem is fixed at the next computer startup.

In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 2: Install every pending Windows Update (Windows 10 Only)

If you are using Windows 10, it’s important to ensure that you have all the pending updates installed (especially the infrastructure updates that Microsoft Office needs in order to be installed correctly).

Several users that were also encountering the 30088-26 when attempting to update Microsoft Office to the latest version available have reported that the installation was finally successful after they took the time to install every pending Window 10 update from the Windows Update screen.

If you think this scenario looks like it could be applicable and you are not running in the latest version of Window 10, follow the on-screen prompts to install every pending Windows 10 update on your computer:

1. Hit the  Windows key + R keys to open up a Run dialog box. Next, inside the text box, type ”ms-settings:windowsupdate’ and press Enter to open up the Windows Update tab of the Settings app.

   

2. Inside the Windows update screen, go ahead and click on the Check for updates button on the right-hand side section. Next, follow the next instructions to install every Windows Update that is currently scheduled to be installed.

   

   Note: It’s important to install every type of update including cumulative and security updates, not just the ones labeled as Critical or Important.

3. If you are prompted to restart your computer before every update is installed do as instructed, but make sure to return to this screen at the next startup and finish the installation of the rest of the updates.
4. After every pending update, reboot your computer again and attempt to update your office installation once again to see if the same kind of issue is still occurring.

In case the installation still bogs down with the same 30088-26 error code, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Using the Fix it Tool

If none of the other fixes above have worked in your case, you should know that Microsoft developed an automated tool equipped to resolve instances where the auto-updating function goes bust. Several affected users have reported that they managed to resolve the issue by running a Microsoft Fix It tool.

This Fix-It will resolve various problems that end up blocking Office programs from being launched, installed, updated, or removed.

Note: You can use it on Windows 10, Windows 7, and Windows 8.1.

If the issue is caused by corrupted registry keys or by files from uninstalled or existing programs, this tool might end up resolving the issue by uninstalling the current Office suite, allowing your o clean install the latest version without the apparition of the same 30088-26 error.

Here’s a quick guide on how to download and use the Fix It Microsoft Office tool to resolve this particular issue.

1. Visit the official download page of the Microsoft Office Fix-It tool and download the .diagcab file by clicking the Download button.
2. After the tool has been successfully downloaded, double-click on the .diagcab file to open it.
3. At the first prompt, click on Advanced and make sure that the box associated with Apply repair automatically is checked. Then, click the Next button to proceed.
4. Wait until the initial detection phase is complete, then click on Installing at the first prompt.
5. At the next screen, select the program that you’re encountering issues with (most likely Microsoft Office) and click Next once again.
6. At the next screen, click on Yes, try uninstall.
7. Wait until the operation is complete, then restart your computer and re-install the Microsoft Office suite via the Official channels to see if the same problem is still occurring.

If you’re still encountering the error even after using the Fix-it tool, jump down to the next method below.