Fix: Update Error Code 0x80070003 on Windows 11/10

The error code 0x80070003/0x80070002 is an update-related issue that may occur while installing pending Windows 10 updates or upgrading to Windows 11. This problem occurred indicates that there are some corrupted system files on your PC or there has been some issue with the Spupdsvc.exe application.

Apart from these two, the unnecessarily piled-up Cache or a recent patch update may also trigger this bug. To solve this error code i.e. error 0x80070002 or 0x80070003, we suggest running the Update Troubleshooter and repairing corrupted/missing files using SFC.

If the error persists even after this, try deleting the stored Cache and Resetting Windows Update Services. As per some users, replacing the old Configuration file Spupdsvc.exe also proves to be useful. If you are stuck with this bug, you may use the previously created restore points or Reset this PC.

What does Error 0x80070003 mean?

The error 0x80070003 simply implies that the Windows update is not working and it could be because of varied reasons. A few of them include –

• Disabled Update Services – BITS, WUAUSERV, etc.
• Missing/Damaged System Files
• Corrupted Update components

How do I Fix Error Code 0x80070003?

To solve the Update Error Code 0x80070003 or 0x80070002 on Windows 10 PC, try the following suggestions –

1] Run Windows Update troubleshooter

Running the default troubleshooter for Windows updates may address any update-related issues on the computer. All you need is to have proper net connectivity and follow the below steps –

Windows 11

• Navigate to the path below, and hit the Run button –

Settings (Win + I) > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters > Windows Update

Windows 10

• Jointly press WinKey + I to start the Settings App.
• Select Update & Security thereafter Troubleshoot on the succeeding screen.
• Head over to the right pane and hit “Additional troubleshooters”.
• Next, click to expand the Windows Update section and tap “Run the troubleshooter“.

• This will automatically check for any possible errors and repair them (if found).

2] Repair Corrupt System Files using SFC

The presence of corrupt or missing system files may also cause the 0x80070003 error. To get rid of this error, you must use the System File Checker Utility program and repair damaged files and folders. Here are the essential steps to work upon –

• First of all, launch Command Prompt as an Admin.
• On the elevated console, type “sfc/ scannow” and press the Enter Key.

• This usually takes 15-20 minutes to scan and repair corrupt files, so wait accordingly.
• After this is over, Restart Windows to incorporate the recent changes. 

Sign back into your PC and check whether you still encounter the 0x80070003 error while upgrading Windows. If yes, try the next set of solutions.

3] Reset Windows Services using a batch file

The above two solutions are in general enough to resolve any update-related troubles. They only fail when there is some unnecessary stored cache or service-related corruption on the computer. In this method, you need to stop some of the basic Windows services, clear the cache, and restart the stopped services.

To keep things simple, we suggest creating a batch file of necessary command lines and then running it using Administrative privileges. Let’s explore how to carry out this solution –

• First, minimize all the running windows and right-click anywhere on the Desktop.
• Choose New > Text Document. 
• Now, copy all the greyed codes below and paste them on the notepad. 

@ECHO OFF
echo Simple Script to Reset / Clear Windows Update
echo.
PAUSE
echo.
attrib -h -r -s %windir%\system32\catroot2
attrib -h -r -s %windir%\system32\catroot2\*.*
net stop wuauserv
net stop CryptSvc
net stop BITS
ren %windir%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old
ren %windir%\SoftwareDistribution sold.old
ren "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\application data\Microsoft\Network\downloader" downloader.old
net Start BITS
net start CryptSvc
net start wuauserv
echo.
echo Task completed successfully...
echo.
PAUSE

• Go to the File Menu and select “Save As”.
• Subsequently, type “WSReset.bat” under the “File Name” and select “All Files” under the “Save As Type“. 

• Next, put right-click on the newly created batch file and hit “Run as Administrator”.
• If there appears any confirmation window, tap Yes to proceed further.
• The Console will then prompt to “press any key”, and hit any key to run the script.
• Once over, Reboot the PC to make the changes effective from the next login.

4] Replace old Configuration file Spupdsvc.exe

Sometimes, the mere presence of an old configuration file titled “Spupdsvc.exe” under Microsoft Update RunOnce Service may cause the error 0x80070003. Each time users update their existing Build OS, a RunOnce entry is added to the registry for spupdsvc.exe. In case, this doesn’t get renewed after performing an upgrade, it may result in update-related issues. To fix this, all you need is to run a single code on the Command Prompt. Here’s how to proceed –

• Open Command prompt as an Administrator: Press Win+R to start Run, type “cmd“, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys together.
• On the elevated prompt, copy/paste the below command line and hit Enter –

cmd /c ren %systemroot%\System32\Spupdsvc.exe Spupdsvc.old

Note: Executing the above code will replace the old configuration of Spupdsvc.exe with a new one.

• Restart Windows to implement the above changes. 

5] Manually Install Windows 10 Updates

If you start receiving the 0x80070003 error after installing a recent security patch, there might be some issue with the cumulative update itself. In such scenarios, we suggest rolling back the OS to its previous state. 

Or, you may manually download and install the latest Standalone package on the computer. To do so, you need to first know the recent CU number matching your system architecture. You may visit the Cumulative Update Catalog to know whether there lies any new patch or not. Once you have the required “KB” number, follow the below steps to download and install the .msu file. 

Manually Install the Available Updates

• Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website and type the “KB” number noted above.
• This will present a list of well-matching results, choose one as per the system architecture.
• Click Download next to the update link and thereafter the top link on the upcoming window.
• When the download completes, click twice on the setup file to upgrade the operating system.

6] Use a System Restore Point or Fresh Start PC

If the error persists even after this, we recommend using the restore points to revert back OS to an earlier state where everything was running OK. If you haven’t created any system backups in the past, you are left with either “Reset this PC” or “Clean Installation of Windows“.