Troubleshooting Windows Phone 8 Update Errors

Article ID: 2793339 - View products that this article applies to.
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Symptoms

When you try to update your Windows Phone 8, you might see one of the following messages:
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An update is ready for download
Your update is ready to be installed
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An update is ready for download
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Cause

These messages mean that there's a newer version of the Windows Phone 8 software ready for you to install.

For more info about updates, see Update Central on the Windows Phone 8 How-to website.
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Resolution

This section provides a list of possible solutions and tips on updating your phone, as well as specific steps to try if you received an error code during the update process.


Try backing up and syncing your media

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Before you start an update, we recommend that you manually back up your phone and all of your media content and files. To learn more, go to Back up my stuff on the Windows Phone 8 how-to website.

You can also back up your photos, videos, and music by connecting your Windows Phone to your computer. This doesn't require Internet connection, and it's a faster process. To learn more, go to Move music, photos, and videos between my computer and my phone.
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Check your power

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Make sure that your phone has enough battery power for the installation process (and the download too, if set to manual). The update process will work best if your phone has at least half of its battery life available, or, if you plug it into an outlet during the installation process.
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Have a good data connection (for manual downloads)

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When you're downloading the update to your phone, and you haven't set up your phone to automatically download the update package, make sure that your phone has a Wi-Fi connection, or a good cellular signal.

Notes
If you use a cellular connection only, you might be charged for data use, depending on the service agreement with your mobile operator.

Updates won't download if data settings on your phone prevent it. For example, both Data Sense and Battery Saver can limit how your phone uses data.
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Have enough space available on your phone

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Make sure that you have enough space on your phone to download and install the update. Here's how to see which items are taking up the most space on your phone:

From Start, go to Settings > Phone storage > and then tap Phone for details of what is already installed, and what can be un-installed or
removed.

Before you remove or un-install items: Make sure that your content is already backed up or available somewhere else, and then prioritize these items before you delete them.

Your media content is most easily managed from your computer, using a companion app or File Explorer to access:
  • Music
  • Videos (if backed up to your computer, or high resolution cloud storage)
  • Pictures (if backed up to your computer, or high resolution cloud storage)
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If you receive an error while you are updating

If you receive an error message while trying to update your Windows Phone 8, follow the instructions that correspond to the error message in the chart below:

Note If your error code is not represented on this list of common error codes, visit our forums at Microsoft Community for more information.
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Error codeWhat to try
801881CD
This error code means your phone ran out of storage space during the update. Make sure that you have enough space on your phone to download and install the update.

To learn about prioritizing and backing up content, follow the instructions in the earlier section of this article, Have enough space available on your phone.

Then, to try the update again, go to your phone's Start screen, then go to Settings > Phone update > Check for updates.

801881D0

Your download was interrupted, possibly because of a slow Internet connection. Make sure that your phone has a good connection to the Internet, through Wi-Fi or Cellular.

For more info, see Get connected.

Then, from your Start screen, go to Settings > Phone update > Check for updates.

801882CB
This is a network connectivity error. Make sure that your device has a good connection to the Internet, through Wi-Fi or Cellular. For more info, see Get connected.

Validate that your device has a good Internet connection by browsing a website on Internet Explorer. Then, from your Start screen, go to Settings > Phone update > Check for updates.

801882D1, 801882D2
There's an error installing the update. Try restarting your phone, and then downloading the update again. Here's how:
From your Start screen, go to Settings > Phone update > Check for updates.

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Assistance

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Properties

Article ID: 2793339 - Last Review: February 26, 2013 - Revision: 3.1
Applies to
  • Windows Phone 8 for Consumers
Keywords: 
kbwp8 KB2793339
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