Fix Installer/Upgrade Error 0x80072f76 – 0x20016 – Windows 11/10

You may receive the error code 0x80072f76 – 0x20016, during the installation or upgradation of Windows 10 or Windows 11. This error is categorized as an Installer error/upgrade error that breaks the Windows Installation process. Having this error means, you won’t be able to install or upgrade Windows.

In this article, we have explained why this error occurs and how you can fix it.

What is Windows Installer Error 0x80072f76 – 0x20016

The Windows upgrade error 0x80072f76 – 0x20016 indicates that there are problems in the following areas.

  1. Corrupted Bootable Drive: The bootable Windows drive you’re using for installation may be corrupted or damaged.
  2. Incompatible Windows Version: You might be trying to install a Windows version that isn’t compatible with your PC’s hardware.
  3. Misconfigured BIOS: Misconfigurations in the BIOS settings can prevent Windows from installing correctly.
  4. Wrong Windows Settings: Problems from a previous installation may be causing the issue.
  5. SSD Failure: Another possible cause of the Windows installer error 0x80072f76 – 0x20016 is SSD failure.
  6. Unstable Network: An unstable or fluctuating internet connection can also lead to the same problem.
  7. Corrupted Windows Files: Missing or corrupted system files could be blocking the Windows upgrade process.

How to Fix Windows Upgrade/Installer Error 0x80072f76 – 0x20016

This error can occur in two conditions: when installing Windows and when upgrading Windows. It’s important to note that fixing this error in both conditions requires different troubleshooting methods. Therefore, choose the appropriate troubleshooting method based on your specific PC problem.

Fix Problem if you can’t boot your PC.

If your previous Windows operating system has crashed, preventing your PC from booting, and you’re attempting to install a fresh version of Windows but encountering the installation error mentioned above, consider trying the following solutions.

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Solution 1: Use SFC/CHKDSK/DISM/Bootrec command to repair Windows

Repair Windows using the Commands
Step 1: Open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Click on Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot in Advanced Startup Menu Windows 10 & 11

Step 2: Select Command Prompt.

open_command_prompt in advanced startup option

Step 3: Run the following commands.

SFC Command

SFC stands for System File Checker, and it is used to scan and repair corrupted Windows files. The primary purpose of the System File Checker is to maintain the integrity of essential system files that Windows relies on for proper functioning.

sfc /scannow

CHKDSK Command

CHKDSK is a short form of “Check Disk” and it is used to scan and repair HDD/SSD errors such as integrity violation, file system failure, bad sectors on disk, etc.

chkdsk C: /f /r

DISM Command

The DISM command, which stands for “Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool,” is a command-line utility in Windows used for servicing and managing Windows operating system images. It’s a powerful tool that’s mainly used for tasks related to system repair, updates, and maintenance.

To check the health of the Windows image:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

To attempt to repair any issues found in the image:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Bootrec command

The bootrec command is a powerful command-line tool in Windows used for repairing and troubleshooting issues related to the boot process. It’s especially useful when dealing with boot-related problems that prevent your computer from starting correctly.

bootrec /scanos
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd

Solution 2: Reset your PC

Startup Repair - Step by Step
Step 1: Boot your PC using the Windows Installation media. It will open Windows Installation Wizard. Click Next.

windows os installation

Step 2: Select Repair your computer.

repair your computer option windows 10 & 11

Step 3: It will open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Click on the Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot in Advanced Startup Menu Windows 10 & 11

Step 4: It will open the Advanced startup menu. Go to the Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ Startup Repair.
Startup Repair Windows 10 & 11
Step 5: Select OS.
Startup Repair - Select OS
Step 6: Wait until it diagnoses and repairs your PC.
repair-windows-from-usb-5

Solution 3: Reset BIOS to Default.

Reset BIOS/UEFI to Default
Step 1: Open BIOS/UEFI Settings.
Step 2: Go to the Exit tab → Select Load Setup Defaults. Press F10 to Save & Exit.

Solution 4: Recheck the downloaded Windows ISO file.

Recheck the source of your Windows ISO files to ensure they are not corrupted or damaged. Consider using the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable Windows USB drive.

Fix the Problem If you can boot your PC.

If you can boot your PC, apply the following troubleshooting steps.

Solution 5: Use the PC Repair Tool to repair different parts of your Windows.

The error mentioned above can occur due to various reasons, including missing or damaged system files, misconfigured registry files, outdated drivers, lack of Windows updates, or damage caused by malware or viruses. To resolve these issues and optimize your Windows system, it is advisable to use a reputable PC repair tool.

Windows is made with huge number of dll files, exe files, sys files, various types of services, databases, etc so, it is not possible to keep monitoring all the files always. A brilliant PC Optimizer tool repairs damages, fix errors, update windows and drivers, and eliminate various types of errors silently.

Outbyte PC Repair Tool does all the above task easily and provides you an errorfree and smooth Windows environment to work so that you can focus on your business only.

3 Steps to Fix this Error
Step 1. Download Outbyte PC Repair Tool [File Size: 16.4 MB]
Step 2. SCAN your Windows PC
Step 3. Click Fix button to Repair Error

Solution 6: Install complete Windows updates.

Before upgrading your PC, it is necessary to install complete Windows updates including the Windows updates, drivers, and installed apps.

Complete Windows Updates - Step by Step

1. Windows Updates

Step 1: Right-click on Start → Settings.

open windows 11 settings

Step 2: Scroll down to find Windows updates and then click on Check for updates.

windows_updates


2. App Update

To update the installed application on your computer, you can follow the following steps.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Store. Click on your profile picture at the top of the MS Store and select Settings.

Open MS Store Settings

Step 2: Turn On App Updates.

Turn on Auto App Updates

Step 3: Open Microsoft Store Library. To access your Microsoft Store Library, simply click on the library icon located on the left sidebar. Once there, you’ll find a button labeled “Get updates.” Click on this to initiate a scan for the latest updates available for the apps you have installed.

Step 4: For the third-party application, check for their updated version on their official site and install them.


3. Driver Update

Step 1: Open Device Manager. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.

Open Device manager

Step 2: Expand all the drivers manually and look for the driver with a yellow exclamation mark. Right-click on it and select Update.

update_driver

Solution 7: Reset Windows Update Components.

Reset Windows Update Components - Step by Step
Step 1: Open elevated Command Prompt.

open command prompt as administrator in Windows 8, 10 & 11

Step 2: In the Command Prompt, enter the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each command:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
Step 3: Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

After the restart, try updating Windows again.

Summary

The Windows installer/upgrade error 0x80072f76 – 0x20016 can prevent your OS from being upgraded or installed correctly. To resolve this situation, you can follow the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article.