Are you trying to install the latest update for Windows 10, but instead of completing successfully, an incomprehensible code 0x80096004 appears on the screen? This error is related to problems with verifying the digital signature of updates and is not uncommon. Fortunately, in most cases, it can be resolved quite easily, and you don't need to be a computer genius to fix it.
Most often, the system displays this error when there are problems with cryptographic services or when temporary files responsible for verifying the authenticity of updates are damaged. This may be a one-time failure or the result of third-party programs. Don't worry — your personal files are completely safe and won't go anywhere.
In this article, we will look at several simple and effective ways to help you get rid of error 0x80096004. We will start with the simplest and quickest solutions, such as restarting services, and, if necessary, move on to more advanced options. Let's get your system updating without any hassle.
Method 1: Built-in troubleshooting tool
Since error 0x80096004 is related to the automatic update of the operating system, you should first use the built-in tool designed to find and fix problems in the operation of “Windows Update Center”:
- Click on the button “Start” and launch the built-in application Settings.
- Next, go to the section “Updates and security”.
- In the left pane of the window that appears, switch to the tab “Troubleshooting”, then select the link As an example, we demonstrate the display of one of the screens that can be unpinned or pinned. This notification block appears when you connect to voice chat. Shift + ` in the main part of the window.
- Find Start the game and hold down this combination (by default, is active. Use the paperclip button next to each window to hide or show the window in the game. If you hold down the left mouse button and move it, you can select the location of the window in the game.
If the corrections were made automatically, apply them, then restart your computer and try installing the updates again. Sometimes additional user action is required – in this case, simply follow the step-by-step wizard instructions.
Error 0x80096004 when updating Windows 10 is most often associated with problems in the update service or damaged system files. It can usually be fixed by restarting the Windows Update service, clearing its temporary files folder, or checking the integrity of the system via the command line. Sometimes resetting network settings or temporarily disabling antivirus software helps. The main thing is not to panic: the error is not critical and in most cases can be resolved with simple steps without data loss.
Method 2: Replacing the crypt32.dll file
Another common cause of error code 0x80096004 is a problem with certificates, which prevents the system from recognizing updates. Windows 10 has a special file related to the implementation of certificates — crypt32.dll. Often, replacing this file allows you to fix the update problem that has appeared.
Start with the simplest steps: checking the date and time, and running the built-in diagnostic tool. This often helps to quickly resolve the issue with digital signatures, which is at the root of the problem.
More info: How to install Windows 10 in VirtualBox
Go to one of the addresses below on the device where Windows 10 is also installed, then copy the file to any storage device, such as a USB flash drive. When using a virtual machine, simply transfer the file to the main OS.
- On 64-bit versions of the OS, the file is stored at
C:\Windows\SysWOW64; - In the case of 32-bit systems, it is located in the folder
C:\Windows\System32.
Once the file has been found and copied, you need to perform a few simple steps on the problematic computer:
- Start the operating system in safe mode, and our separate guide will help you with this.
More details: Entering Safe Mode in Windows 10
- Depending on the bitness of the system, go to the path where the file is stored “crypt32.dll” (addresses are listed above).
- Move the file you copied from another computer earlier. A system window will appear asking you to select an action — click “Replace the file in the destination folder”.
- To register the component in the system, you will need to run a special command in the Windows console. Run Command Prompt as an administrator, using, for example, the system search bar.
- Enter the command
regsvr32 crypt32.dlland press the key “Enter” to perform it.
As a result, the copied file will be registered, and after completing these steps, try updating the operating system.
Method 3: Reset Windows Update Center components
As already mentioned, the problem may be related to the operation of “Windows Update Center”, and if the built-in troubleshooting tool does not help, you can manually reset the application components, while clearing the update files:
- Run “Command line” with elevated privileges and first stop several services related to updates by executing two commands in sequence:
net stop bitsnet stop wuauserv - The following command is designed to delete update files stored on the system local drive:
Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat”. This will help you avoid potential conflicts that occur when attempting to install updates. Use the commandcd /d %windir%\system32to select the directory. - Next, copy all the commands at once (using the combination Ctrl + C listed below and paste them into the console window (keys Ctrl + V – each of them will be executed automatically. This will re-register some DLL files.
regsvr32.exe atl.dll
regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll)
regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
regsvr32.exe wups.dll
regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll. - Reset the computer's network configuration by running the command
netsh winsock reset. 
- All that remains is to start the previously stopped services, using two requests in turn:
net start bitsnet start wuauserv
Now you can close the console window and restart the system for the new settings to take effect, then repeat the Windows 10 update.
Method 4: Pausing the antivirus
Sometimes antivirus software blocks the installation of updates, causing various errors, including 0x80096004. Such software probably mistakenly sees this as a potential threat, so it restricts the procedure. The best solution in this case is to temporarily disable the antivirus. This can be done in different ways and depends on the product you are using. Sometimes you need to go to the settings section to deactivate the program. For more details, see our separate article at the link below.
More details: Disabling antivirus software
Method 5: System File Checker utility
If system files have been damaged for some reason (for example, due to a critical system failure or as a result of virus attacks), then the error in question may appear when the system attempts to update. To fix the error, you can use the built-in utility System File Checker (SFC), which scans system files for integrity and restores them.
The tool is launched using the command sfc /scannow via a console opened as an administrator.
After checking and possibly restoring the files, be sure to restart your computer before attempting to update Windows 10 again.
As you can see, error 0x80096004, although it looks scary, is usually not critical. In most cases, you can resolve it yourself by performing a few simple checks and actions. The main thing is to proceed step by step.
Start with the simplest steps: check the date and time, and run the built-in diagnostic tool. This often helps to quickly fix the problem with digital signatures, which is the root cause of this error. If that doesn't work, move on to more specific actions, such as clearing the update cache or temporarily disabling your antivirus software.
Remember that system updates are an important element of your computer's security and stability. By resolving the 0x80096004 error, you will not only restore the normal operation of the update center, but also protect your system from potential threats. If none of these methods help, you may want to contact Microsoft support for assistance.
