A number of users have claimed Windows Update Error 0x80070002 while installing Windows updates. Windows Updates generally need a restart to take effect. And the above mention error appears just after the restart. The full error message reads as:
Windows could not search for new updates. An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer. Error(s) found: code 80070002. Windows Update encountered an unknown error.
It’s pertinent to mention updating Windows to the latest version is one of the essential tasks. Updating Windows on a regular basis introduces new features to your PC and secures your PC from threats as well. But sometimes installing updates becomes a headache for the users.
As per the reports, users receive this annoying error while installing updates like KB3200970 as well as other numbers. Such errors indicate a lot of flaws on your PC. Update errors usually gets triggered due to corrupted or missing crucial Windows files. System files play an imperative role while installing Windows Updates so it’s important to keep system files intact.
But we would also like to mention there are other factors which contribute a lot while updating Windows. Some of them are as follows:
#. Availability of Enough Space: In order to install a new update you must have sufficient space in your system.
#. Compatibility between hardware devices: If you desire to install a Windows update successful you need to ensure as complete compatibility between your hardware devices.
#. Appropriate date and time Settings: Ensure you have proper date and time settings.
You may face the above mention error if any of the above is absent, but don’t worry luckily we have some tried and tested methods to deal with the error.
Try these Solutions for Windows Update Error 0x80070002
Method 1: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
In this first method, you are suggested to run Windows Update troubleshooter, to proceed use the following:
Step 1: Press Windows + I keys to open Settings application
Step 2: Navigate to System > Click Troubleshoot
Step 3: Click Other troubleshooters to expand all troubleshooters and then click Run next to Windows Update section
Method 2: Run the App Troubleshooter
If the above mention troubleshooter fails to work for you, we suggest you to run the app troubleshooter. To do so follow the below mention guidelines:
Step 1: Press Windows then type Control and select the top result > Navigate to the top right corner and change View by option to Large icons
Step 2: Click Troubleshooting
Step 3: Click on View all option on the left panel > Select Windows Store Apps then click on Next and follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.
Method 3: Perform SFC Scan
Running System File Checker Scan is an in-built utility tool to scan the system files. In order to get started with this method, use the following:
Step 1: Press Windows then type cmd and select Run as administrator option
Step 2: Now type the following command and press Enter key > then wait for the processto finish it
sfc /scannow
Method 4: Perform a Clean Boot
Performing a Clean Boot is also an effective method to get rid of the above mention error. It will start your PC with minimal resources. In order to get started with the method, use the following:
Step 1: Press Windows then type msconfig and select System Configuration
Step 2: Find the Services tab and select Hide all Microsoft services
Step 3: Click Disable all followed by Apply and OK then reboot your PC > then see if the issue resolved or not
Method 5: Delete SoftwareDistribution Folder
In this method we recommend you to delete the SoftwareDistribution Folder that saves all Windows files. To do so use the following:
Step 1: First of all open File Explorer > Open C drive where Windows is installed
Step 2: Click Windows folder
Step 3: Then find SoftwareDistribution folder
Step 4: Right-click this folder and choose Delete to Continue
Note: If you don’t want to delete it, you can also choose to rename it as SoftwareDistributorOld.
Once you completed all steps, you need to restart your PC and run Windows Update again and see if the issue resolved or not.
Method 6: Restart Windows Update Service
Several users have resolved this error just by restarting Windows Update Service, so you can also try the same for yourself.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Type in Command Prompt in the search bar of Windows 10 > In the pop-up window, choose the best –matched one. Then right-click it to choose the Run as administrator
Step 2: Then in the command line window, type the following commands to continue and don’t forget to press Enter key:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
Once you finish all the steps, you can restart your PC and run Windows again to see if the issue resolved or not.
Method 7: Turn off Security Software for a while
Disabling Security Software may also work in your favor. Usually Security Software prevents Windows from getting infected with the malware. But sometimes it may create nuisance for the users.
If you have installed third party security software, just right-click the icon of the antivirus software at the bottom of the taskbar, then click the option that refers to disable the security software temporarily.
If you are a Windows 10 user, you also need to disable Windows Defender and Windows Firewall. Once you have disabled the security software, reboot your PC and see if the issue resolved or not.
Method 8: Modify Registry Editor
Modifying Registry Editor is an effective way to resolve Windows Update Error 0x80070002. But before proceeding with this method, ensure that you choose English (United States) in the language setting. And then Run Windows Media Creation Tool as administrator. Right-click it and select Run as administrator option > Once done then use the following:
Step 1: Press Windows logo key + R keys together to open Run utility box > In the prompted box, type in regedit and press Enter key. You may need to provide the administrative right to open, click Yes to confirm
Step 2: Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\OSUpgrade.
Step 3: Select OSUpgrade key, then right-click the empty area on the right pane of Registry Editor and click New, then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 4: Right-click the newly created NewValue#1 and select Modify
Step 5: Change the Value name to AllowOSUpgrade after which you can double-click the number under Value data and enter 1. Select Hexadecimal and click OK
Step 6: Restart your PC and see if the issue resolved or not.
Method 9: Check your Available Space
One of the prominent reasons for facing the above mention error is unavailability of space. So ensure you have sufficient space for installing Windows Updates.
Method 10: Reset the Winsock Catalog
Resetting Winsock Catalog may also help you in resolving this update error. In order to get started, use the following:
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt window > In the prompted window, type the command netsh winsock reset
Step 2: Press Enter to continue
Step 3: Once the process is finished, you must reboot your PC to save the changes> Once done then you can see if the issue resolved or not.
Method 11: Reset Windows Update’s Components
If none of the above mention methods works for you we suggest you to reset Windows Update’s Components.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt in administrator mode > type the following command and press Enter key
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc
Step 2: In order to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder, type the following command and press Enter key
Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
Step 3: Type the following command and press Enter to rename the catroot2 folder
>Ren %systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
Step 4: Restart the above services again by executing the following command
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc
Once the process is finished, Windows will create a new SoftwareDistribution and catroot2 folder featuring the Windows Update files.
Go for an Automatic Solution
These were some of the tried and tested methods to deal with Windows Update Error 0x80070002. But if you don’t want to struggle with the manual methods and looking for a hassle free solution, you can choose our recommended Automatic PC Repair Tool. This PC Repair Tool is capable for resolving errors originated due to system corruption.
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Bottom Line!
Here we conclude the article! We have mentioned all the possible methods to resolve the error. Now it’s your turn to follow our guidelines.
