Error code 0x80004005

In this article, we will discuss error code 0x80004005. This is an unspecified error that may indicate various problems in Windows. And, accordingly, this error can be caused by various reasons. It can appear when working with any Windows system functionality, installing system updates, trying to access network resources, working with VirtualBox virtual machines, and in many other cases. Let’s look at common causes of the error and possible ways to eliminate it.

Error code 0x80004005

Third-party programs

Sometimes the cause of error 0x80004005 lies in the operation of a third-party antivirus or firewall. These programs can block access to certain system functions, services or processes necessary for the correct operation of the operating system. You need to disable your antivirus or firewall and check whether running the same tasks does not cause the error in question. This error when running third-party programs can also be caused by standard antivirus and Windows firewall; you can try temporarily disabling Windows Defender and Windows Firewall . If disabling it works, you need to understand the settings of these programs and Windows components.

There may be other programs that may cause error 0x80004005 to appear. You can identify these programs using the Windows Clean Boot method .

Windows Updates

Most often, error code 0x80004005 occurs when installing Windows updates. For information on various causes of problems with updates and ways to eliminate these causes, friends, see the articles:

  • Updates are not installed on Windows 11 ;
  • Updates are not installed on Windows 10 .

Viruses and damage to Windows files

0x80004005 may be a system resource access error. And appear when operating Windows system functions in conditions where the files of these functions are damaged or missing. Their damage can occur for various reasons – system failures, viruses, disk errors, incorrect termination of programs, etc. It is necessary to restore the integrity of Windows system files . If the error concerns the operation of the Microsoft Store, you need to troubleshoot the store .

Viruses can either cause damage to system files or be the direct cause of the error in question. You need to check your computer for viruses .

Access to network resources

Error code 0x80004005 may appear when accessing local network resources – shared folders, media servers, NAS storages, printers, etc. Causes:

  • Incorrect name or address of the network resource;
  • Incorrect credentials (login/password);
  • Insufficient access rights;
  • Network connection problems;
  • Problems with network equipment.

Friends, make sure that you correctly enter the name or address of the network resource, as well as your credentials. Make sure you have access rights to the network resource. See if there are any problems with your network equipment (network adapters, hubs, routers, cables, drives, servers, printers, etc.). Make sure your network is configured correctly. Enable or, conversely, disable the SMB 1.0 protocol . Articles on this site may help you:

  • How to set up a local network in Windows and share files for public access ;
  • Windows 10 does not see computers on the local network .

VirtualBox

If error 0x80004005 occurs when starting a virtual machine in VirtualBox, possible reasons:

  • Hardware virtualization is disabled in BIOS. Must be enabled ;
  • Incorrect operation of the virtual machine itself, failures when saving the last session. You can try updating VirtualBox. Or create a new virtual machine based on the virtual hard disk file of the failed machine;
  • Conflict with Hyper-V. You need to disable Hyper-V startup.

To disable the launch of Hyper-V, enter the command in the command line or PowerShell running as administrator:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

And reboot the computer.

If you need to work with Hyper-V again, enable it to start using the same command line or PowerShell running as administrator with the command:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto

Reboot the computer.

Problems with the hard drive

Sometimes error code 0x80004005 may indicate problems with the hard drive. We may receive this error when installing system updates, when working with programs, or when downloading or copying files. If the disk has serious problems, when installing Windows it will be impossible to install it either on the partition or on the entire disk, even if it is clean, without partitioning. And, again, we can get error 0x80004005.

It is necessary to diagnose the hard drive, for example, with the Hard Disk Sentinel program . If Windows is not available, you need to boot from a WinPE 11-10-8 flash drive Sergei Strelec . And in the WinPE environment, perform diagnostics of the hard drive using either the Hard Disk Sentinel program or any other program.