Unable to update or remove .msi packages: MSI: Error! The older version of Microsoft ODBC Driver 13 for SQL Server cannot be removed

Symptoms

• Plesk update fails with the below error:

  CONFIG_TEXT: MSI: Error! The older version of Microsoft ODBC Driver 13 for SQL Server cannot be removed. Contact your technical support group.
  Failed to install 'C:\ParallelsInstaller\cache\MSODBCSQL-WIN\thirdparty-windows\msodbcsql-13.1.msi': Fatal error during installation. (Error code 1603)

  ---

  CONFIG_TEXT: MSI (09): Application: {FE76F1D2-6B55-4F76-B79E-B1595FEF3368}, Command line: UPGRADINGPRODUCTCODE={33415E4A-CB85-4EF5-9C87-913A67140828} CLIENTUILEVEL=3 REMOVE=ALL

  Note: Package name may differ.

• It is not possible to remove the package manually with the same error.

Cause

The source MSI package, from which the previous version of the Plesk component was installed, has been removed from the server. Microsoft Installer cannot remove the component if original MSI file is missing from the server.

Note: Plesk functionality improvement with ID PPPM-10807 was created to avoid Plesk inaccessibility after 3rd-party component failed upgrade.

Resolution

1. Connect to the server via RDP

2. Download the Install and Uninstall troubleshooter from the official Microsoft website: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17588/windows-fix-problems-that-block-programs-being-installed-or-removed

   Most likely there will be duplicate packages in the list. You may find what package to remove by using its ID from the autoinstaller3.log file (its location can be found in the Plesk for Windows services logs and configuration files article) or from the console, e.g. {FE76F1D2-6B55-4F76-B79E-B1595FEF3368}. You may find this ID in the Install and Uninstall troubleshooter by pointing the cursor on the package.

3. Remove affected .msi packages.

   If there is no old .msi package available for download (e.g. PHP), use https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed-or-removed-cca7d1b6-65a9-3d98-426b-e9f927e1eb4d - the MSI will be removed, but this may lead to errors like the following in Plesk Installer:

   CONFIG_TEXT: GetProductsList() ERROR: Bad configuration was detected for product with Product code:

   If the troubleshooter from steps 2 and 3 does not help, the following steps might do:

   1. Use the following CMD command to remove package by its ID with debug:

      C:\> start /w msiexec /x {FE76F1D2-6B55-4F76-B79E-B1595FEF3368} /l*v C:\debug.log /qn REBOOT=R

   2. Check C:\debug.log after running the command. The following warning might be shown:

      CONFIG_TEXT: MSI (s) (80:B8) [13:17:37:964]: Warning: Local cached package 'C:\Windows\Installer\2b641fdb.msi' is missing.

   3. Copy the cached package that could not be uninstalled from C:\ParallelsInstaller\parallels\PANEL-WIN_xx.x.xx as C:\Windows\Installer\2b641fdb.msi (rename the package, e.g. plesk-panel.msi, to the file from the warning).

   4. Run the command from step 1 of the internal section again to remove the package.