A new cumulative update often resolves the existing bugs and issues on Windows 11/10 PC. However, what if you are encountering some trouble installing or upgrading to a newer Build OS on Windows? Well, this post discusses one such error code 0x800705b9, the reasons behind its occurrence, and the five workarounds that might resolve this bug.
What causes this error 0x800705b9 on Windows?
Windows 11/10 fails to update on an error code 0x800705b9 when your system meets certain conditions as outlined below –
- Missing or damaged system files
- Corruption within the System Image
- Running a third-party Antivirus program
- Corrupted Windows Cache folders
Now that you know what may cause this error code, let’s explore the workarounds that might help you overcome this issue on Windows 11/10 PCs.
5 Ways to Solve Update Error code 0x800705b9
If you are unable to update Windows 11/10 because of some error code 0x800705b9, we suggest following the below fixes one after another. In case you have already tried these fixes, skip to the last solution i.e. manually download and install pending updates.
- Troubleshoot Windows Update
- Restart all update-related services
- Disable Third-party Antivirus Programs
- Purge Windows Cache folders
1] Troubleshoot Windows Update
The most effective way to resolve any update-related issues on Windows 11/10 is by running the troubleshooter. This tool checks for the reasons preventing an update, and resolves them on its own. You may find this tool by navigating to the below path –
Windows 10:
Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters
Windows 11:
Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
After you reach out to the above-mentioned path on your respective devices, search for Windows Update under Most frequent. When found, click on it to expand and hit Run the troubleshooter (Windows 10).
On Windows 11, you need not require clicking on Windows Update. Rather, you will see the Run button available beside Windows Update. Click on it and the troubleshooter begins looking for the reasons blocking pending updates from installing on your computer.
After the troubleshooting completes, your device must be ready to install pending updates. Even in cases, where this tool doesn’t resolve the issue, this will guide you to the probable reasons causing an error code 0x800705b9.
2] Restart all update-related services
For Windows Updates to install successfully, all update-related services must be up and running. In cases where even one service is disabled, you won’t be able to update your operating system. Here’s what you must check and ensure they are running on your Windows 11/10 PC –
- Press Win + X, and choose Run.
- Type “
services.msc” on it and hit OK. - On the Services window, locate Background Intelligent and Transfer service.
- When found, right-click on it and select Properties.
- Use the drop-down menu available next to the Startup type, and change it to Automatic.
- Click Apply and then OK, to confirm the recent changes.
- Proceeding as guided above, restart the below-mentioned services as well.
- Windows Update
- Cryptographic services
- Assuming you did start all update-related services on your computer, close the Services window, and restart your Windows PC.
Sign back into your device and when it does, navigate to the below path.
Win 11: Settings > Windows Update
Win 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
Head over to the right pane and click Check for updates. Now that all update-related services are up and running, you might succeed in installing pending updates on your PC.
3] Disable Third-party Antivirus Programs
Though antivirus programs are developed to keep your device safe and secure, they might at times bring more trouble than good. This happens because of their constant interactions with the system files and folders. While modifying the system files, they might corrupt the Update files resulting in an error code 0x800705b9.
You can never be sure of it unless you disable your third-party antivirus program. Do so and check if you can update Windows after uninstalling or temporarily deactivating external security apps.
Note: Windows Security is an in-built security app on Windows 11/10 that you may use instead of relying on free third-party antivirus programs.
Run SFC/DISM Scans
When you remove an antivirus program, the affected system files are still there and so you won’t be able to update your Windows. Run System File Checker and DISM tools to automatically detect and resolve file corruptions. Here’s how to run both of these tools on Windows 11/10.
- Launch CMD as administrator first.
- When the UAC window prompts, click Yes to authorize accessing Command Prompt.
- On the elevated console, execute the below SFC command.
sfc /scannow
- This whole checking and repairing process might take 10-15 minutes. So, wait till then patiently.
- After this SFC scan reaches 100%, run the DISM tool. For that, all you need is to execute the below command on the elevated console –
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Wait again for 10-15 minutes while the DISM checks and repairs corruption inside the System Image.
Restart your PC so that the changes made become effective from the next login. If you are still encountering the error code 0x800705b9, follow the next set of solutions.
4] Purge Windows Cache folders
Information related to each and every update is logged into Windows Cache folders. Over a period of time, these folders contain more information than they should. Because of this, some files and folders may become corrupt and hence prevent future updates from occurring.
There are two such folders on Windows 11/10 namely – SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2. Purge all the contents inside both these folders, and you might be able to update Windows normally. Before you proceed ahead, make sure to disable all the update-related folders first.
If you are finding it difficult, you may run a few codes on Command Prompt (Admin), and the problem resolves in no time. Here’s what you need to run on an elevated console –
- Disable all update-related services by running these codes.
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc
- Delete Profile data and rename Windows Cache directories by executing these codes.
Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\*.*”
rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q
rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q
- To re-register the missing or corrupted DLL files, use these codes –
regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
- Reset the network and the available proxy on your Windows PC –
netsh winsock reset
netsh winsock reset proxy
- Restart all update-related services that you had stopped before.
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc
Restart your PC and check if the error code 0x800705b9 resolves now. I believe it should have. In case it doesn’t, try out the last workaround.
5] Manually install pending updates
If none of the above fixes resolve the error code 0x800705b9, the problem must be complex in nature. Well, in such cases, you need not rely on fixes but rather manually download and install pending updates on your computer.
Here’s a complete guide on how to manually install pending updates on Windows 11/10 PCs.
The manual installation will override any condition or existing rule on your computer. Hence, we say this solution will surely work on Windows 11 or 10 devices.
How do I solve Error code 0x800705b9 in Minecraft?
Several users reported encountering an error code 0x800705b9 when they were trying to run Minecraft Java edition. If you are one such user, try these suggestions –
- Go to Windows Update, and check for optional/additional updates.
- Open Microsoft Store and check if there is an update available for Xbox. In case you do find some pending updates for it, consider upgrading Xbox to its latest version.
- Try Resetting Microsoft Store by running the WSReset.exe command on an elevated console.
- Reinstall Microsoft Store using PowerShell
When encountering the error code 0x800705b9 on your Xbox One device?
In such cases, check the following –
- Visit Xbox Support and check if some server outage is reported there.
- Power Cycle your Xbox Controller.
What are the two different ways to update Windows?
To update Windows, one needs to download the latest cumulative update via Windows Update. This is possible only when you are connected to an active internet connection. In case you want to install the recent update manually, you may do so by downloading the respective standalone package from Microsoft Update Catalog.
