How to fix error 30088-26 when updating Office on Windows 10

If you're trying to update Office and during the process you receive the 30088-26 error message, then you can use these steps to fix the problem.

Office fix update error 30088-26
Office fix update error 30088-26

On Windows 10, when a new update is available for the suite of Microsoft Office apps, you’ll see an “Update now” button to quickly apply the latest release. However, sometimes, you will see the “Something went wrong…” message and error code 30088-26, and even after restarting the device, you’ll see the same message as you continue to apply the update.

If you’re trying to update the Office apps and the error 30088-26 appears, then you have two solutions. You can repair the installation, or you can uninstall and reinstall the apps. This process should work whether you’re using Microsoft 365 (Office 365), Office 2019, or Office 2016.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to resolve problems when trying to update Office to the latest version on Windows 10.

How to repair Office installation to fix error 30088-26 on Windows 10

To repair an Office installation, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 10.

  2. Click on Apps.

  3. Click on Apps & features.

  4. Under the “Apps & features” section, select the Microsoft Office 365 item. 

  5. Click the Modify button.

    Office modify installation option
    Office modify installation option
  6. Select the Online Repair option to fix error 30088-26.

    Office Online Repair option
    Office Online Repair option
  7. Click the Repair button.

  8. Click the Repair button again.

Once you complete the steps, try to update your version of Office again, and this time, you should no longer see the error 30088-26.

How to reinstall Office to fix error 30088-26 on Windows 10

To uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Office, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Apps.

  3. Click on Apps & features.

  4. Under the “Apps & features” section, select the Microsoft Office 365 item.

  5. Click the Uninstall button.

    Office uninstall option
    Office uninstall option
  6. Click the Uninstall button again.

  7. Open Office account online.

  8. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

  9. Click the Install Office button from the top-right to download the installer.

    Office 365 installer download
    Office 365 installer download
  10. Double-click the downloaded file to begin the automatic installation of Microsoft Office 365 to fix error 30088-26.

After you complete the steps, the suite of Office 365 apps will reinstall on Windows 10, and you should no longer encounter errors trying to update to a new version.

How to update Office to latest version on Windows 10

To update Microsoft Office 365, Office 2019, or Office 2016, use these steps:

  1. Open Word.

  2. Click on Account.

  3. Click the “Update Options” menu and select the Update Now button.

    Office update option
    Office update option
  4. Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps, Office will download and install the available updates without error messages.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.