[SOLVED] Cumulative updates failing since June - Server 2016 1607

Yes, I tried clearing out the repository with the Windows Update Troubleshooter and then running a standalone from the Update Catalog, but I didn't have any luck.
 
I manually installed Intel Microcode updates on 10/18/2018 (KB4091664) after downloading from the Microsoft catalog. This update was queued but never attempted because cumulative's kept failing.

Before that the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 -October 2018 (KB890830) was automatically installed on 10/16/2018.
 
I need some more information on the host machine.

1. What OS?
2. Is it fully patched?
3. What AV is installed on the host if any?
4. What AV exclusions are set (only if AV is installed)
5. What is the make/model of the server?
6. Where are the VMs stored? Is it local storage on the HyperV server, iSCSI target or something else?
7. How much memory, CPU cores, HDDs does the host have?
8. Has the memory been tested?
 
1. VMware ESXi 6.5 U2C
2. Yes, as of August (problem started in May)
3. None
4. n/a
5. Dell R620
6. iSCSI target. Dell Equallogic. about 4.5 TB
7. 64 GB, 24 cores, 2 RAID 1 onboard drives total capacity 131 GB
8. I checked the hardware monitoring of the host and memory status is OK.
 
Step#1 - FRST Scan

1. Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your Desktop.
Note: You need to run the 64-bit Version so please ensure you download that one.
2. Right click to run as administrator. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
3. Please ensure you place a check mark in the Addition.txt check box at the bottom of the form before running (if not already).
4. Press Scan button.
5. It will produce a log called FRST.txt in the same directory the tool is run from (which should now be the desktop)
6. Please attach the log back here.
7. Another log (Addition.txt - also located in the same directory as FRST64.exe) will be generated Please also attach that along with the FRST.txt in your reply.
 
I tried the standalone installer after doing a clean boot and disabling automatic updates but it didn't work.

I've been digging and I found a page with instructions on resetting Windows Update components. But it applies to Windows 10, not Server 2016. Additionally someone wrote a script to reset WU components, but it also applies to Windows 10, not Server 2016.

In the author's comments on the script he says, "This tool is compatible with Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Also compatible with Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2 and 2016, however, it is not recommended to use in Windows Server since it can eliminate some configurations of Firewall, Domain and others..."

Do you have any experience with the instructions or the script as it relates to Windows Server?
 
Yes, I use it frequently on both personal computers and Servers if need be. I have not had any problems, but just to be safe I would recommend creating at least a System Restore Point prior to executing it.
 
Ok cool. I will try it out in the next day or two and will use a restore point. I'll get back to you with the results.
 
After failing again I walked away from this for a while. Frankly I'm at a loss as to what is wrong. I'll describe to you what happened in case you have any other suggestions.

I ran the script to reset Windows components successfully and attempted to install November's CU manually. It processed and requested a reboot. On reboot it continued working on the update until it got to 100% and then said it could not complete the update. Then it reverted. I've seen this happen this several times.

Currently the Update Status lists the November CU while listing Error 0x800705b4.
 
Please try disabling Windows Defender and uncheck Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows option under Windows Update Advanced option. After making the changes, reboot your machine.
 
Thank you for your continued help on this. I probably won't get back to this until after the new year. I'll get back to you on the results then.
 
Hi softwaremaniac,

I've had some time to look into this issue more. I would up having a second Server 2016 server that stopped updating. With my experience with the other machine I was able to determine the online image was corrupted and repair it using dism. Afterwards I ran sfc /scannow and it repaired, but unfortunately Windows Update still did not work. I also tried disabling Windows Defender and Give me updates for other Microsoft products on the original machine, but I didn't have any luck.

Both machines behave similarly (most of the time). The updates are downloaded and partially install. Then on a reboot the install continues until it reaches 99%. At that point it reverts back.

I know for future 2016 VMs I will be creating a new template to hopefully avoid any issues like this cropping up. In the meantime, if you have any more suggestions I am willing to keep trying them out.
 
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