Countless Users have reported Windows Update Error 0x80070020 while installing Windows Update. It’s pertinent to mention this error is quite similar to update error 0x80070026. Well if you are too struggling with this error, keep scrolling the article.
Error 0x80070020 was first reported in the year 2015 when the new version Windows 10 was released. 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 0x80070020 Windows Update encountered an unknown error.
Update Errors are quite common and can be resolved using simple measures. But it’s noteworthy to mention such errors may lead to severe damages. Updating Windows to the latest version not only introduces new features to your PC but also prevent malware attacks. So you can’t overlook errors while installing updates. And if we talk about the reasons, following are the major culprit:
#. Corrupted Missing Windows files
#. Windows Update Components like Background Intelligent Transfer Service gets corrupted
#. Interference of Antivirus Software
#. Lack of Space
Now let’s have a look on the solutions to gets past the error.
Try these Solutions forWindows Update Error 0x80070020
Method 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Before proceeding with the complex methods, we recommend you to run Windows in-built tools. This tool is specifically designated to diagnose and resolve the Windows troubles. In order to get started with the method, follow the below mention guidelines:
Step 1: In the Search box, type Windows Update Settings to open the Settings window > then select Troubleshoot from the left pane
Step 2: Navigate to Windows Update and double-click it > then you will see Run the troubleshooter, just click it.
Step 3: You need to wait for a while for the Troubleshooter to detect and fix the problem
Step 4: Finally, exit the troubleshooter, restart your PC and see if the issue resolved or not
Method 2: Uninstall the latest Windows Updates
You are likely to face the above mention error due to incorrectly installed updates, so ensure to uninstall that problematic updates.
To do so, use the following:
Step 1: In Windows Search type in Control Panel and press Enter key
Step 2: Select Programs > Uninstall a Program
Step 3: On the left side, choose View installed Updates
Step 4: Then select the most recent Windows Updates > Right-click and choose Uninstall
Step 5: Finally, Reboot your PC
Method 3: Restart the Windows Update Services
Several users have claimed that restarting the Windows Update Services resolved their issue. So you can also try the same for yourself.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box > In the prompted box, type in cmd and press Enter key. Then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys to open an elevated command that grants you with admin privileges.
Step 2: Once the Command prompt (admin) opens, type the following command one by one and 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
Step 3: After running the above commands, see if the issue resolved or not
Method 4: Restart the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
Background Intelligent Transfer Service is an essential service that delivers updates to your PC. And if this process gets corrupted, you may face troubles while updating Windows.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Press Windows + R keys to open Run utility box > In the prompted box, type in services.msc > Press Enter or click OK
Step 2: Find Background Intelligent Transfer Service > Right-click and open Properties
Step 3: On the General tab, find Startup type and choose Automatic
Step 4: If the BITS is not running, right-click and choose Start
Step 5: Then confirm selection and close window
Method 5: Disable your Security Software
If you are running a third party antivirus program, you may get stuck with errors like Windows Update Error 0x80070020. These apps conflicts with the update files and the above mention error appears. So we suggest you to make changes in the settings or just disable it for a while.
Method 6: Run SFC and DISM Scans
Corrupted/ Damaged System files are one of the prominent reasons for getting the above mention error. Utility tools like SFC and DISM Scans is specifically designated to repair the corrupted system files.
In order to get started with the method, use the following:
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt (Admin) > In the prompted window, type in the following command and press Enter key:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Once the DISM Scan gets completed, you can run sfc/scannow command to scan for corruption in Windows system files and restore them.
Step 1: In the Command Prompt, type in sfc/scannow and press Enter key
Step 2: This process should take some time so wait patiently. Once the process gets completed, try to update Windows.
Method 7: Delete All Contents of the SoftwareDistribution Folder
Deleting SoftwareDistribution Folder may also help you to get rid of the current update error. It’s pertinent to mention SoftwareDistribution Folder is a temporary place to store Windows Update files.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Open your Windows Explorer > then go to the path: C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution
Step 2: Then press Del key on the keyboard to clear all contents of this folder.
Method 8: Check and fix your disk for errors
CHKDSK is another utility tool which is responsible for checking the integrity of your hard disk. To proceed with the method, use the following:
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt (Admin) > In the pop-up window, type the chkdsk C: /f command and press Enter key (C: with the letter of the hard drive you want to check)
Method 9: Perform Clean Boot & Install Windows Update
Performing Clean Boot is also an effective way to fix the error. Clean Boot stats your Windows with a minimal set of drivers which avoid conflicts while installing updates.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the Run box pressing Windows + R keys together > In the prompted Run box, type in msconfig and press Enter key
Step 2: In the System Configuration window, navigate to the Services tab > then select the Hide All Microsoft Services checkbox
Step 3: Now click Disable all button > Click Apply to save the changes
Step 4: Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager
Step 5: In the Task Manager tab, select the first enabled application and click Disable > Here you need to disable all enabled applications one by one. After disabling all programs, close Task Manager and click OK in the System Configuration Startup tab
Bottom Line!
That’s all about Windows Update Error 0x80070020. We have tried our best to provide all the relevant solutions to deal with the error. Now it’s your turn to follow our guidelines.
