If you’re trying to upgrade or install a new version of Windows 10, you may come across Error 0x80073712 in the midst of a Windows update. This problem mainly occurs if some of the Windows Update files got corrupted or missing. It means that a file required by Windows Setup possibly now gets damaged or corrupted. In this blog post, we have explained some possible solutions for Error 0x80073712.
Undoubtedly, Windows 10 has been patched and polished with proper attentiveness, but still, some of its features leave a lot to be desired. Apart from this, Windows Update is still unprotected and prone to damage like Error 0x80073712. This inbuilt service offers updates for the software in the form of cumulative updates and service packs. The main purpose of Windows Update is to keep the OS updated with enhanced security and stability features. To remain effective, we suggest you follow the workaround below in the same order since we arranged the fix by their efficiency and difficulty.
How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80073712
If you are facing trouble installing pending updates on your Windows PC, consider applying the below fixes one after another. The working solutions are as follows –
- Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
- Perform the SFC scan
- Run the DISM tool
- Reset some basic elements of the update
- Remove Windows Update Cache
- Perform Disk Cleanup
- Reset Windows Update components
- Rename the Software Distribution Folder
- Use the Media Creation Tool
1] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
While there are several ways to resolve this issue, you can use this built-in application to fix it immediately. The Windows Update Troubleshooter detects and corrects common update issues on its own. While this tool does not fix all problems, it is a good way to start if you have problems with your system, operating system, or other connected devices. Try running the Windows Update troubleshooter and see if it works.
- Press the Win+I at the same time to invoke Settings.
- Click on the Update & Security category.
- On the left pane, go to the Troubleshoot section.
- Move to the right side, and select Additional Troubleshooters.
- Select Windows Update and then click the Run the Troubleshooter button.
Once you complete the above process, this will locate the possible causes to occur this issue and then fix it. So, check if it solves the error.
2] Perform the SFC scan
The next step is to run the System File Checker tool to scan your system files. This utility repairs the missing or corrupted system files including those associated with Error 0x80073712. To run this tool, use the following steps –
- Press the Win + R hotkey to open the Run dialog.
- In the void, type ‘cmd’ and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter key to open the elevated command prompt.
- If UAC prompts, click on the Yes button.
- Once the elevated command prompt appears, type the command –
sfc /scannow
- Press the Enter key and this will start the scanning process.
- It will take a short time and find the missing files and then restore them. So, restart the device when the scan gets over.
3] Run the DISM tool
If the above methods didn’t work, chances your Windows files are damaged or missing. Therefore, the next preferred step is to run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) to repair the System Image files.
To run the DISM tool, follow the below steps –
- Press the Win + Q hotkey and let the Taskbar search appear.
- Type cmd in the search box.
- Right-click on the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- If UAC prompts, hit the Yes button.
- On the next page, copy and paste the below text and press Enter –
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
- This will start executing the scanning process for the corrupted image files in the OS. Restart your PC and check for the error during startup.
4] Reset Corrupt Components in Windows
If the problem is still persisting, you might want to reset the basic elements of the update. This will also provide grant access to the updated files. Here are the steps –
- Open Command Prompt with Admin access.
- Inside the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each command:
net stop trustedinstaller cd %windir%\winsxs takeown /f pending.xml /a cacls pending.xml /e /g everyone:f del pending.xml net stop wuauserv ren c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.old net start wuauserv
- After running the above commands, try to update your computer and see if it works.
5] Remove Windows Update Cache
Removing faulty and corrupted Windows Update Cache is another helpful approach to help fix the error. The Update Cache is a specific folder that collects and stores updated installation files. Here’s how to remove them –
- Press the Win+R keys at the same time to open the Run dialog.
- Type
services.mscinto the empty box and hit Enter. - In the Services window, locate Windows Update under the Name column.
- Right-click on the Windows Update and then click Stop.
- Again, open the Run dialog box using the Win+R keys.
- In the box, copy and paste the following text code and then press Enter.
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
- On the following page, delete all the entire files and folders available there.
- If you’re asked to provide administrator permission, mark the Do this for all current items box and click Continue.
- Now go to the Services app again, right-click on Windows Update, and Start it.
Reboot your device and try to run the Windows update again.
6] Perform Disk Cleanup
It is quite harmful to a PC to constantly accumulate temporary files and browser cache on its hard drive. Therefore, we recommend running the Disk Cleanup tool as the next step. This will remove the temporary Windows 10 setup files and may fix the error code. Here’s how to do it:
- Press the Windows button on your keyboard and type “
cleanmgr“. - Select the Disk Clean-up option from the top of the list.
- Inside the tiny Disk Cleanup box, select (C:) drive and click the OK button.
- Click the Clean up system files option.
- Again select C: drive.
- Then check all the boxes except Downloads.
- Click OK and the tool will start removing the files.
- Lastly, restart your computer to complete the process.
Once you completed the steps, navigate to the path Settings > Update & Security> Windows Update. After that, click on Check for updates and see if the problem is gone now.
7] Reset Windows Update components
If the above workarounds are not working then you can fix this issue by resetting the Windows Update components. Here is how to do it –
- Press Win + S and type ‘cmd’.
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- When UAC prompts, click on the Yes button.
- On the following page, type the following command and hit Enter after each command.
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc
Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat”
cd /d %windir%\system32
regsvr32.exe atl.dll
regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
regsvr32.exe wups.dll
regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll
netsh winsock reset
netsh winhttp reset proxy
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc
- After running the above commands, close the command prompt window, and go to the Microsoft Support website.
- On the following page, download the latest Windows Update Agent.
- Install it on your device using the on-screen instructions.
- Restart your PC and check if this method worked for you.
8] Rename the Software Distribution Folder
This is another effective solution you can try to fix the Windows Update Error 0x80073712. If something related to those components was causing the error, this method will certainly work as a fix. To perform the trick, make use of the guide below –
- Open the elevated command prompt as we explained above.
- Type the following commands one after the other, and hit Enter each –
net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver
(This will stop the update components for a while)
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
(This will rename the SoftwareDistribution folder and the Catroot2 folders. Here, the Windows get fresh when the next time you try to update)
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
(It restarts the services which you stopped)
- Close the window and restart your device.
9] Use the Media Creation Tool
Unfortunately, if none of the above workarounds works for you then as the last resort, you can use the Media Creation Tool. Windows update is a very valuable and crucial service that you might consider for a clean installation of Windows 10. This will in-place upgrade or clean installation of the latest version of the Operating System. You can use this application for reference and proceed with caution. Thereafter, check if the Update Error 0x80073712 problem has been rectified.
How do I fix error code 0x80073712?
Running Windows Update Troubleshooter is the most effective way to find and resolve the underlying causes that prevent Windows Update to occur automatically. However, if this fails, you may try running SFC, DISM, and repairing Corrupt Components in Windows. In case none of the above fixes resolve this issue, you may download the latest standalone package from Microsoft’s Update Catalog, and install that manually on your PC.
