Server 2016 won't update

This is very likely going to be some strange firewall or connectivity issue. Let's ensure that the Windows Firewall is set to it's default settings, please open an elevated command prompt and then enter the following command:

Rich (BB code): 
netsh advfirewall reset

Please note, the command will reset the Windows Firewall settings to their default "out-of-box" values.
 
Is it worth doing this even though we don't have Windows firewall active on that server? What should I do after running that command, search for updates again?
 
Yes to both of your questions. Windows Update can be a little odd in that it's dependent on certain services running. There has been has cases whereby Windows Update wouldn't install any updates because of problems with Internet Explorer.
 
Thanks! That firewall reset seems to have worked in that pressing check for updates now doesn't get stuck and it installed the 2 updates that it was saying were waiting, the latest malicious software removal tool (KB890830) and the latest .net core security update (KB5012418). However this months latest cumulative update still doesn't appear as an update that needs installing. I've tried checking online for updates too but it doesn't find any others to install. I also still have a problem where I can't add roles or features with the error "The request to list features available on the specified server failed".

I have a VM which was made around the same time with some similar symptoms such as not being able to add roles of features (with an error code of 0x80073701) and it fails when using DISM, with the error message "the source files could not be found; their location must be specified", should I start another thread for that server seperately?
 
Gudzy said:
However this months latest cumulative update still doesn't appear as an update that needs installing. I've tried checking online for updates too but it doesn't find any others to install. I also still have a problem where I can't add roles or features with the error "The request to list features available on the specified server failed".
Click to expand...
Could you please provide the latest CBS log for the system? The update may not be getting offered because of missing prerequisites.

Gudzy said:
I have a VM which was made around the same time with some similar symptoms such as not being able to add roles of features (with an error code of 0x80073701) and it fails when using DISM, with the error message "the source files could not be found; their location must be specified", should I start another thread for that server seperately?
Click to expand...
Yes, please start a separate thread and myself or someone else will take a look for you. It should hopefully just be a matter of replacing some missing or corrupt files.
 
Hmm, your CBS log appears to be okay. Let's try and get a ProcMon trace and see what if shows anything interesting.

Step#1 - Capture Process Monitor Trace
1. Download and run Process Monitor. Leave this running while you perform the next steps.
2. Try adding role/features just like you have in the past.
3. Stop Process Monitor as soon as it fails. You can simply do this by clicking the square icon on the toolbar as shown below.
j8MhY5V.png

4. Select the File menu...Save... and save the file to your desktop. This is likely the default location. The name (unless changed) will be LogFile.PML. This is fine.
5. Zip up and provide the link to the LogFile.PML file as well as your CBS.log Examples of services to upload to are Dropbox or OneDrive or WeTransfer.
 
Thanks, I've used procmon, starting the capture before clicking the next button and then finishing the capture after the error message is displayed. I've zipped up the logfile.pml and cbs.log, as the zip file was under 1MB in size I've just attached it here.
 

Attachments

Thank you, there isn't anything significant apart from one line which I believe might be issue. Could you please provide CBS hive using the following instructions:

Step#1 - Export CBS hive
  • Click on the Start button and in the search box, type regedit
  • When you see regedit on the list, right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
  • When regedit opens, using the left pane, navigate to the following registry key and select it by clicking on it once.
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing
  • Once selected, click File > Export....
  • Change the Save as type: to Registry Hive Files (.).
  • Name this file ComponentBasedServicing (with no file extension) and save it to your Desktop.
  • Right-click on the saved file and choose Send To -> Compressed (zipped) Folder.
  • Attach the .ZIP file to your next post.
  • If the file is too large to upload here, upload to Dropbox or OneDrive or SendSpace and just provide the link here.
 
Thanks, I've just had a look and I'm very concerned as to why you have no subkeys under Packages and PackageDetect. I've never seen a CBS hive like that before and I'm surprised that your system has managed to install two updates?!

Could you please run the following fix script which should hopefully address your add feature/role issue:

SFCFixScript.txt
Warning: this fix is specific to the user in this thread. No one else should follow these instructions as it may cause more harm than good. If you are after assistance, please start a thread of your own.
  1. Download SFCFix.exe (by niemiro) and save this to your Desktop.
  2. Download the attached file, SFCFixScript.txt, and save this to your Desktop. Ensure that this file is named SFCFixScript.txt - do not rename it.
  3. Save any open documents and close all open windows.
  4. On your Desktop, you should see two files: SFCFix.exe and SFCFixScript.txt.
  5. Drag the file SFCFixScript.txt onto the file SFCFix.exe and release it.
  6. SFCFix will now process the script.
  7. Upon completion, a log should be created on your Desktop: SFCFix.txt.
  8. Copy (Ctrl+C) and Paste (Ctrl+V) the contents of this into your next post for me to analyse please - put [CODE][/CODE] tags around the log to break up the text.[/list]
 

Attachments

Last edited:
The file you've attached is a .txt file but your instructions mention it will be a .zip file. Should I rename the SFCZipScript.txt into SFCScript.txt and then zip it into SFCScript.zip and use that?
 
Sorry! I posted the wrong instructions, I've corrected them now. You just need to drag and drop the .txt file over SFCFix and it will run.
 
Code: 
SFCFix version 3.0.2.1 by niemiro.
Start time: 2022-04-07 20:56:27.506
Microsoft Windows Server 10 Build 14393 - amd64
Using .txt script file at C:\Users\Administrator.WILBYS\Desktop\SFCFixScript.txt [0]




RegistryScript::
Failed to open registry key for second time HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\PackageIndex with error code ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED.

Failed to import registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\PackageIndex\System.

Failed to open registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\PackageIndex\System with error code ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND.
Failed to open registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\PackageIndex with error code ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED.
RegistryScript:: directive failed to complete successfully.




Failed to process all directives successfully.
SFCFix version 3.0.2.1 by niemiro has completed.
Currently storing 3 datablocks.
Finish time: 2022-04-07 20:56:27.561
Script hash: /HJ70rFnitbJaDlvJslQHEdbBbVtbHQsIjNl/kZEVr0=
----------------------EOF-----------------------

I've tried manually opening regedit as administrator and it still wouldn't create a new key in packageindex
 
Could you please open a command prompt and then enter the following command:

Code: 
reg query "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\PackageIndex\System"

If the subkey doesn't exist, then please run the attached fix script using FRST64.

Step#1 - FRST Fix
NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on that particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system
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. Download the attached fixlist.txt and save it to the Desktop.
Note. It's important that both files, FRST64 and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work (in this case...the desktop).
3. Run FRST64 by Right-Clicking on the file and choosing Run as administrator.
4. Press the Fix button just once and wait. If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that let the tool complete its run.
5. When finished FRST64 will generate a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt). Please post the contents of it in your reply.
 

Attachments

Thanks, the command gave the error message: "ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value."

I ran the fixlist.txt and got the result that I've attached as FixLogFirst.txt

I then edited fixlist.txt to have quotation marks around the reg key, as the fixlist.txt that I have attached and got the resuult FixLogSecond.txt
 

Attachments

I've never had that problem before, let's see if I can amend it from my system instead and then send it over to you once I've changed it.

Retrieve SOFTWARE Hive
Note: The SOFTWARE hive has confidential and sensitive information in it so please send me a PM with a link to that particular hive so it's not in the public form.
  • Please download the Freeware RegBak from here: Acelogix Software - Download products
    You will find it at the bottom of the page that the link brings you to.
  • Go ahead and install this program and accept all the defaults. After the last install screen the program should open.
  • Click the New Backup button. Accept the defaults and simply click Start.
  • When it says Finished successfully, click the Close button.
  • This will bring you back to the main screen of the program. You will see one entry in this list with the date that you did it. Right-click on this line-item and select Explore Backup...
  • This will bring you into the folder where the backup was made. You should see a Users folder and a Windows folder along with a couple other files. Double-click on the Windows folder to open it. Then open the System32 folder and then config folder. You should see around 6 files in here, one of which is named SOFTWARE.
  • Copy this file to your Desktop.
  • Now right click on the file on your desktop and select Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
  • Then please upload the zip file(s) to your favourite file sharing website (it will be too big to upload here). Examples of services to upload to are Dropbox or OneDrive or WeTransfer and then just provide the link in your reply.
  • You can close any open windows you have as well as the RegBak program now.
 
SOFTWARE Hive Replacement with RegBak
Warning: This fix is specific to the user in this thread. No one else should follow these instructions as it may cause more harm than good.
  1. Close all open programs and save all your work. You will need to reboot the machine during this process.
  2. Download the SOFTWARE - Gudzy.ZIP from the private message I sent you.
  3. Right-click on SOFTWARE - Gudzy.ZIP and select Extract All.... Ensure the "Show extracted files when complete" checkbox is checked and click the Extract button.
  4. The software hive will be extracted. You will see the file named SOFTWARE (no extension)
  5. Copy the SOFTWARE hive to where you previously saved a backup. It should be (C:\Windows\RegBak\PC-NAME\DATE\Windows\System32\Config)
  6. 2014-10-1818_56_49-config_zpscbb8aad0.png
  7. Overwrite the one that is currently there when prompted.
  8. Open RegBak by click Start and selecting Registry Backup and Restore. Highlight the backup in the list (it should be the one date today), and press Restore. Click Start. RegBak will reboot your computer to complete the restore process.
Let me know if the hive was replaced or if there were any errors.
 
It looks like the hive was replaced succesfully, I entered the command
Code: 
reg query "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\PackageIndex\System"
and it returns a value now.
 
Okay that's good, could you please open an elevated command prompt and then enter the following command:

Rich (BB code): 
DISM /Online /Get-Features
 
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