How to Fix: KB3122947 Failed to Install (Error 80070643)

Dennis Faas's picture

Infopackets Reader Nigel S. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

Today my Windows 10 computer rebooted to finish installing updates, but then I received an error message that update KB3122947 'failed to install', with an error 0x80070643 - whatever that means. I clicked on the More Info link that didn't help me fix the problem. Can you help? "

My response:

Based on what I've read online, update KB3122947 has failed to install for many people - in fact, it failed to install on one of my systems. There is, however, a workaround and it involves using the administrative command line. Unfortunately the instructions I read online on how to fix this problem were missing some important steps and were not 'newbie' friendly. As such, I've decided to write this article and provide a more complete approach to fixing KB3122947 (error 80070643).

How to Fix: KB3122947 error 0x80070643

To fix this problem you will need to execute two commands using the administrative command prompt. That said, only one command will execute properly, and the other will fail. That's normal and I'll explain more about that further down.

To get started, do the following:

  1. Click Start and type in "cmd" (no quotes), then wait for CMD.EXE or Command Prompt to appear in the list - do not press Enter. Once it appears, right click over top of it and select "Run as Administrator".
     
  2. Use your mouse to highlight the text below:

    dism /online /add-package /packagepath:C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\c4a1b8896ce9fbfea96c1ee6890d52a5\windows10.0-kb3122947-x64.cab

    dism /online /add-package /packagepath:C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\b0a5da1b24245bc4237166e09bae92da\windows10.0-kb3122947-x86.cab

    echo this is a dummy line
     
  3. Right click over the text you just highlighted and select "Copy" from the dialogue menu.
     
  4. Go to the command prompt you opened up in Step #1, then right click in the middle of the window and select "Paste" from the dialogue menu. Now, press Enter on the keyboard to execute the commands. You will then see output after the commands have been executed.

    IMPORTANT: technically, only one of the commands executed will report "100%" and "The operation completed successfully", whereas the other will report an "Error 3" and "An error occurred trying to open [the cab file]". The reason for the error is because one command is meant for 64 bit Windows 10, and the other is meant for 32 bit Windows 10. I've included both commands since people reading this will have one or the other. Therefore, you can safely ignore the "Error 3" message.

That's all you need to do. If you check the Windows Update history in Windows 10, it may still report that KB3122947 has still "failed to install", but you can ignore that. As long the command line reports 100% success, you are all set.

Got a Computer Question or Problem? Ask Dennis!

I need more computer questions. If you have a computer question -- or even a computer problem that needs fixing -- please email me with your question so that I can write more articles like this one. I can't promise I'll respond to all the messages I receive (depending on the volume), but I'll do my best.

About the author: Dennis Faas is the owner and operator of Infopackets.com. With over 30 years of computing experience, Dennis' areas of expertise are a broad range and include PC hardware, Microsoft Windows, Linux, network administration, and virtualization. Dennis holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science (1999) and has authored 6 books on the topics of MS Windows and PC Security. If you like the advice you received on this page, please up-vote / Like this page and share it with friends. For technical support inquiries, Dennis can be reached via Live chat online this site using the Zopim Chat service (currently located at the bottom left of the screen); optionally, you can contact Dennis through the website contact form.

Rate this article: 
Average: 5 (7 votes)

Comments

dan_2160's picture

When I saw the headline for this article I thought my issues with this update would be solved ... No such luck ... [the KB is the same but the error code is different] - error 0x8007066d9.

I have tried your solution and I still get that message ... I'm at a loss as to what's going on. The other three Windows 10 64-bit computers I manage in our very small office are not running into these problems. Go figure. Any guidance anybody here can offer would be most welcome.

[Response edited for brevity as this problem is different than what is intended in the article].

Dennis Faas's picture

That is a completely different error message than what is listed in the article. Searching for error 80070003 via Google suggests that you should reset the Windows Update components (via the SoftwareDistribution Directory) - you can follow my guide on "How to fix: Windows Update Won't Update", then disable your antivirus temporarily, and try the patch again using the same method on this page.

larry.smoak's picture

Another reason why I am, and have suggested to all my clients, to wait till early 2016 for Windows 10 to get all the bugs/glitches worked out.
Until then, still running Windows 7 on all I use or repair.

Netpilot's picture

Dennis, How can you determine the GUID of an update's package path in advance, without having previously installed it on another computer?

Dennis Faas's picture

The only way I've figured out how to get the hash (GUID) was to download the KB# from the windows update catalog online (if it is available), run the installer, then search the c:\windows\softwaredistribution directory to get the GUID.

Netpilot's picture

Your answer begs the question, why not then, just recommend downloading the KB from MS and installing it directly instead of using DISM?

BTW, my experience is that Windows Update stops reporting a failed install the next time the update catalog/history is cleanly changed or deleted. Usually that's from the first of either 1) the successful installation an update, often the next daily Windows Defender signature file, or 2) by following the steps in your comprehensive and well-written "How to Fix: Windows Update Won't Update" article.

Dennis Faas's picture

Using DISM sidesteps searching for the download link online, which may not be available. In this case kb3122947 is currently not available as a separate download via the kb article page, nor through the windows update catalog site.

rebrich's picture

I have a laptop and when I click on the upgrade white box it tell me incompatable BIOS.
what's next?