After investigating this issue thoroughly, it turns out that there are several different underlying causes that might be responsible for the apparition of the ‘Error Code: 30088-26‘. Here’s a list of culprits that are responsible for this issue: Now that you are familiar with every potential culprit that might be causing this error, here’s a list of methods that other affected users have successfully used to get to the bottom of this issue:
Method 1: Repairing the Office Installation
In case you’re seeing this error while attempting to install an upgrade for a sub-application of the Office Suite (like Word, Excel, or Powerpoint), it’s likely that you’re dealing with a corruption issue rooted in your Registry files. As several different affected users have confirmed, you might expect to see this error after an AV ended up quarantining some files belonging to the Microsoft Office suite. If this scenario looks like it could be applicable, the Office installation should be capable of repairing itself along with every associated corrupted registry file. Follow the instructions below to initiate an Office repair from the Programs and Features menu: In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 2: Install every pending Windows Update (Windows 10 Only)
If you are using Windows 10, it’s important to ensure that you have all the pending updates installed (especially the infrastructure updates that Microsoft Office needs in order to be installed correctly). Several users that were also encountering the 30088-26 when attempting to update Microsoft Office to the latest version available have reported that the installation was finally successful after they took the time to install every pending Window 10 update from the Windows Update screen. If you think this scenario looks like it could be applicable and you are not running in the latest version of Window 10, follow the on-screen prompts to install every pending Windows 10 update on your computer: In case the installation still bogs down with the same 30088-26 error code, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 3: Using the Fix it Tool
If none of the other fixes above have worked in your case, you should know that Microsoft developed an automated tool equipped to resolve instances where the auto-updating function goes bust. Several affected users have reported that they managed to resolve the issue by running a Microsoft Fix It tool. This Fix-It will resolve various problems that end up blocking Office programs from being launched, installed, updated, or removed. Note: You can use it on Windows 10, Windows 7, and Windows 8.1. If the issue is caused by corrupted registry keys or by files from uninstalled or existing programs, this tool might end up resolving the issue by uninstalling the current Office suite, allowing your o clean install the latest version without the apparition of the same 30088-26 error. Here’s a quick guide on how to download and use the Fix It Microsoft Office tool to resolve this particular issue. If you’re still encountering the error even after using the Fix-it tool, jump down to the next method below.
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