How to Fix 0xC1900101 – 0x20004 Install Error

Summary: 0xC1900101 – 0x20004 error is a problematic error that occurs during a Windows update or upgrade installation. The error may result in a blue screen posing significant risk to your device and data. Read this blog to learn how to fix the error using simple DIY methods. Since a blue screen might cause potential data loss, here’s a professional data recovery software to keep handy.

Microsoft ensures enhanced user experience by introducing new features, improved security, and performance with regular security patches and updates/upgrades. However, the installation process is not always as smooth as it may seem.

One common hurdle is 0xC1900101 – 0x20004 error, which reads as:

0xc1900101 – 0x20004. The installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase with an error during INSTALL_RECOVERY_ENVIRONMENT operation.”

The error usually occurs while installing the latest Windows update or upgrading to a higher Windows version, probably due to an incompatible driver or hardware. You may experience unexpected system freeze, reboots, or even a blue screen of death due to this error.  

Whether you’re a home user or a professional facing this error, understanding the causes behind it and fixing it is crucial. This article will share some methods to resolve this error on your Windows computer.

Recover Data with Stellar Data Recovery Professional

The error 0xC1900101 – 0x20004 commonly causes BSoDs and frequent system reboots on your computer. If not fixed timely, it can severely damage your system hardware and cause permanent data loss. Therefore, it’s recommended to first recover your data from the affected system using professional data recovery software, such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional.

This software helps you restore all kinds of data in case of deletion, drive formatting, corruption, etc. The software also lets you create a bootable media using its ‘Create Recovery Drive’ option. You can use this bootable media to boot into an unbootable, crashed or BSoD-affected system and recover your data.

Troubleshooting the 0xC1900101 – 0x20004 Install Error – Some Tips to Begin With

Once you have successfully recovered your data, you must perform some initial checks before you begin troubleshooting the error:

Once these checks are completed, follow the methods below to fix the 0xC1900101 0x20004 error.

How to Fix the 0xC1900101 – 0x20004 Install Error?

Method 1: Boot your PC in Safe Mode

As the error occurs during installation and eventually results in a blue screen, it’s advised to try booting your PC in safe mode. In Safe Mode, Windows starts with a minimum set of drivers, files, services, and programs, which may help you narrow down the actual cause of the error. Refer to this guide to boot your PC into Safe Mode.

Method 2: Perform Disk Cleanup

Usually, the update or upgrade installation files are stored in C:// Windows and need enough storage to download the installation files. However, if the drive lacks the storage space, you may get the ‘Windows needs more space’ message and eventually face the 0xC1900101 0x20004 error. Therefore, check the available space on the hard drive and perform a disk cleanup. Follow the given steps to do so:

Method 3: Check the Hard Disk for Issues

If the hard drive has bad sectors or is corrupted, you may experience the 0xc1900101 0x20004 error. Try running the CHKDSK command using the Command Prompt utility to check for bad sectors.

Running the CHKDSK command with /f and /r attributes fixes many issues with the hard drive, locates the bad sectors, and recovers the readable information. To run the CHKDSK command, follow the steps given below:

You can refer to this guide to learn more about CHKDSK and how to scan a hard drive with it.

Method 4: Update or Re-Install Drivers

Outdated drivers on your system may cause issues and result in this installation error. You can try updating or reinstalling the drivers using the following steps and then check if the issue gets fixed.

If updating the driver doesn’t help, you can try uninstalling the driver by following Device Manager > Disk Drives > Hard Drive (Name of the drive) > Uninstall Device > Uninstall > Yes. Then freshly reinstall the driver for your hard drive by visiting the official site of the drive manufacturer.

Method 5: Disable the WLAN chip

In some users’ case, disabling network adapters solved the installation error. You can also try disabling the WLAN chip and see if it works for you. Follow the steps mentioned below to do the same:

Close the window and reboot your system to see if the problem is resolved.

Method 6: Run SFC Scan

Corrupted, damaged, or missing system files can also cause blue screen errors, such as 0xc1900101 – 0x20004 installation error. You can try running the System File Checker (SFC) scan to find the damaged and corrupted system files and replace them with their correct versions, thus resolving the issue. You can follow the given steps to run the SFC:

Learn more: How to Run System File Checker (SFC) in Windows

Method 7. Reset BIOS

If none of the above methods works for you, try resetting BIOS. This step will restore the default settings and solve the error. To do so, follow the steps given below:

Wrapping Up

Apart from the discussed methods, some users stated that they successfully downloaded the update after booting into their system using USB installation media (built with the Media Creation tool). Some users with student accounts could install the upgrades after acquiring the key from Microsoft DreamSpark and opting for a clean install, but not formatting the drive partitions.

Moreover, ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements for the installation to make it effortless. In case you lose access to your data due to a blue screen error, or while performing the troubleshooting methods, use professional data recovery software.

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