47. How To Fix Windows Update Errors in Windows 10

Windows Update is an important component that keeps your Windows 10 computer up-to-date with the latest security fixes, feature updates, and drivers. However, sometimes Windows Update can encounter errors that prevent it from properly downloading or installing updates. Here are some solutions for the most common Windows Update error codes and issues in Windows 10.

Fixing Error 0x80070005

Error code 0x80070005 indicates that the Windows Update service is not running. This can prevent your system from checking for or downloading available updates.

To fix this:

1. Open the Start menu and search for Services.
2. Scroll down and double-click on the Windows Update service.
3. In the Properties window, set the Startup Type to Automatic and click Start.
4. Click OK to save the changes.

Restart your computer and check if Windows Update is now able to scan for updates successfully.

Troubleshooting Error 0x80073712

Error 0x80073712 occurs when a Windows system file is damaged that is required for updates to install correctly. To resolve this:

• Open an elevated Command Prompt by searching for Command Prompt, right-clicking it, and selecting Run as administrator.
• Run the System File Checker tool to scan for corrupted files by entering:

sfc /scannow

This will scan your system and replace any missing or corrupted files. Restart your PC once finished and try checking for updates again.

Fixing Error 0x800F0900

Error code 0x800F0900 indicates that the Windows Update server cannot be reached. This could be caused by an incorrect proxy configuration or network connectivity issues.

Try the following fixes:

• Disable your proxy settings temporarily to rule out a proxy configuration issue. You can re-enable it after troubleshooting.
• Restart any network adapters if you have issues connecting to the internet. Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click each adapter and select Disable followed by Enable.
• Reset the Windows Update components by running this command in an elevated Command Prompt:

net stop wuauserv && net stop bits && net stop cryptsvc && net start cryptsvc && net start bits && net start wuauserv

Check if Windows Update works correctly after trying these solutions.

Fixing Error 0x800703E6 When Installing Updates

Error 0x800703E6 indicates an issue with a broken or missing file preventing an update from being able to install correctly.

To resolve this:

• Open Windows Update and click View update history.
• Click the Failed update and select Update Details. Note down which specific KB update is failing.
• Search for the KB number on the Microsoft Update Catalog.
• Download the standalone installer for the update and run it. Restart your PC.

This should resolve the specific corrupted/missing file issue so that the cumulative Windows Update can now install successfully.

Troubleshooting Error Code 0x80240034

Error 0x80240034 indicates an issue with the Windows Update service where settings need to be reset. To fix this:

• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type services.msc and click OK to open the Services management console.
• Scroll down and right-click on the Windows Update service.
• Select Properties > Stop to stop the service.
• Click the General tab and change the Startup Type to Disabled. Click OK.
• Restart your PC, then repeat steps 1-4 but set the Startup Type to Automatic instead.

This will reset the Windows Update service and populate the corrected settings, resolving the 0x80240034 error.

Resetting Windows Update Components

If none of the above solutions resolve your Windows Update issue, you can try resetting the Windows Update components entirely:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt.
2. Stop the BITS, Windows Update, and Cryptographic services by typing:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits

1. Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders by typing:

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

1. Restart the BITS, Windows Update, and Cryptographic services by typing:

net start bits
net start cryptsvc
net start wuauserv

1. Restart your PC and try checking for Windows updates again.

This completely resets the Windows Update components, which should resolve any corrupt files or settings.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting Windows Update errors requires some technical knowledge but following the solutions for common error codes can often get it working properly again. Resetting Windows Update components should resolve most issues if specific error fixes don’t work. Be sure to also check for any Windows updates for the Update service itself.