Fix: OneDrive Installation Error Code 0x80040c97

Microsoft OneDrive is one of the popular and widely used cloud file hosting and synchronization services which is operated by Microsoft itself. So, the Microsoft OneDrive comes preloaded on the Windows 10 operating system which is beneficial for most of the users. As nothing is stable and bug-free in the internet family, OneDrive has also some errors or issues that several users can encounter while installing or using it. Here we’ve shared the possible workarounds on how to fix Microsoft OneDrive Installation Error Code 0x80040c97 on Windows 10.

Plenty of affected OneDrive users on Windows 10 has started reporting that they’re experiencing a specific error code that basically prevents them to install the OneDrive on their PC for some unfortunate reason. It actually says “OneDrive couldn’t be installed”. Now, multiple reports are surfaced online that the damaged downloaded file can be one of the major reasons behind the OneDrive installation issue. However, that’s not the case for everyone and there may be some other reasons behind it like Windows Registry, Windows Firewall, corrupted certificates, any virus or malware, etc.

Fix: OneDrive Installation Error Code 0x80040c97

As already mentioned, there are a couple of possible reasons and possible workarounds available that we’ve provided below. So, let’s take a closer look.

1. Download the latest OneDrive

Make sure to download the latest OneDrive software from the official Microsoft website. It will definitely gonna help you to reduce any kind of malware or adware inside the software that may cause multiple issues on your PC which you may find on third-party applications downloaded from unofficial sources.

Once downloaded, try installing the OneDrive software on your Windows 10 system as an administrator to allow all the user account control access properly. Additionally, keep in mind that you’re installing it on a drive that has enough storage left.

2. Downgrade to an Older Version

It can also possible that maybe the latest version of OneDrive isn’t compatible with your system. So, you should download and install an older or outdated version of OneDrive on your PC to check if that works properly or not. Head over to this website and get it. You can click on the English translation pop-up for your ease.

3. Re-enable Windows Update Service

If none of these above methods work for you, try disabling and re-enabling the Windows Update Service from the Services interface. It’ll basically start over the Windows Update feature and then you can check for the Windows update normally. It can also possible that your Windows OS build isn’t updated to its latest version and that’s why the OneDrive can’t be installed due to some bug or security reasons. To do this:

• Press Windows + R keys to open up the Run dialog box.
• Now, type services.msc and hit Enter to open up Services.
• Then look for Windows Update service and double-click on it.
• Click on Stop from the type.
• Again press Windows + R keys to open up the Run dialog box.
• Type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore and press Enter to open up the Windows Explorer on the actual location.
• Press Ctrl + A to select all files or folders and hit the Delete key to remove all.
• Once done, go back to the Services interface again and Start the Windows Update service.
• Finally, reboot your computer to change effects.

Now, you’ll need to check for Windows updates by following the steps below.

4. Update Windows Build

Needless to say that an outdated system version can cause plenty of issues with other applications. We’ll recommend our readers to always keep up-to-date for a stable and improved user experience. To do that:

• Click on the Start menu > Go to Settings.
• Select Update & Security > Under the Windows Update section, click on Check for updates.
• If there is any update available, simply click on Download and Install.
• It’ll automatically download and install the latest update.
• Once done, reboot your PC to apply changes.
• You should also check for available the Feature Update to Windows 10 that will also help you to fix multiple issues.

Finally, you can try installing the latest version of OneDrive on your PC to check whether it throws the Installation Error Code 0x80040c97 or not. Still, the problem persists? Well, follow another method.

5. Run System File Checker (SFC)

This is one of the useful and default feature that checks the filesystem errors and tries to fix them all automatically.

• Click on the Start menu and type cmd to search.
• Now, right-click on the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
• Click on Yes to allow the UAC access.
• Type the below command and hit Enter to execute it.

sfc /scannow

• It may take some time to complete depending on your storage space.
• Once done, simply reboot your computer to check if the problem has been fixed or not.

6. Adjust Windows Registry Value

If in case, you have found all of these methods not so useful, try changing the Windows Registry value, and then you should try reinstalling the OneDrive software on your PC.

• Press Windows + R keys to open up the Run dialog box.
• Now, type regedit and hit Enter to open up Registry Editor. You may have to click on Yes to allow UAC (User Account Control) access.
• Navigate to the following key or path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive

• Then look for DisableFileSyncNGSC and double-click on it.
• Finally, you have to change the value to 0 (zero).
• Reboot your computer and try installing the OneDrive.

7. Force Close OneDrive Process

Sometimes it can possible that the OneDrive process is already running in the background which may cause a corrupted or incomplete setup file to install. Therefore, you should forcefully close the background running the OneDrive process and then reinstall the software. To do this:

• First of all, you need to open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys.
• Click on the Processes tab and check for any running OneDrive tasks.
• If found, click on it to select and click on End Task to close the process one by one.
• Now, whether you find it or not, right-click on the Start menu.
• Select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the list.
• If prompted by UAC, click on Yes to allow.
• Next, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it.

taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe

• It’ll basically remove all the background running OneDrive processes (hidden) from the system completely.
• Once done, follow the next method to uninstall the OneDrive from your PC (if already installed).

However, if this is the first time and you’ve installed the OneDrive on your computer yet, skip the uninstallation part and jump to the reinstallation steps.

8. Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive

It’s worth mentioning that if the OneDrive is already installed on your system, you should uninstall and reinstall it completely. This can fix the OneDrive Installation Error Code 0x80040c97 in most cases. To uninstall it:

• Click on the Start menu > Type Control Panel and click on it from the search result.
• Go to Uninstall a program > Search for installed OneDrive program and right-click on it.
• Now, select Uninstall and proceed to remove it.
• Once uninstalled, simply restart your PC to apply changes.

Finally, you need to reinstall the OneDrive software again. You can follow the below steps:

• So, you need to follow method 1 to download the latest OneDrive software for your system from the official Microsoft website.
• Then install it as usual by giving an administrator access.
• Once all done, reboot your PC.
• Enjoy!

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. Feel free to ask in the comment below for additional queries.