Unable to install a Windows Update – CBS error 0x800f0831

Note to self for next. 

Was trying to install a Windows Update on a Server 2012 R2 machine and it kept failing. 

Checked C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log and found the following entry:

Checked C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log and found the following:

So looks like KB 4103725 is the problem? This is a rollup from May 2018. Checked via DISM if it is in any stuck state, nope!

I downloaded this update, installed it (no issues), then installed my original update … and this time it worked.