Update issue error code: 0x80073712

Joe Durango Realty PC 0 Reputation points
2026-03-02T18:11:18.6733333+00:00

When I update, i received

Error code: 0x80073712

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

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  1. AI answer

    2026-03-02T18:11:28.54+00:00

    Error 0x80073712 during Windows Update is associated with corrupted or missing system files, or an incomplete download.

    To fix it, follow these steps:

    1. Restart the PC
      • Restart to ensure no other applications or processes are blocking the update.
    2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
      1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security.
      2. From the left-hand menu, select Troubleshoot, then Additional troubleshooters.
      3. Under Get up and running, select Windows Update and choose Run the troubleshooter.
      4. Follow the on-screen instructions and apply any fixes it suggests.
    3. Reset Windows Update services and cache
      1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
      2. Find Windows Update, right-click it, and select Stop.
      3. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
      4. Delete all files and folders inside SoftwareDistribution (this clears the update cache; it does not remove personal files).
      5. Go back to the Services window, right-click Windows Update, and select Start.
    4. Try Windows Update again
      • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.

    If the error persists after these steps, repeat the troubleshooter and cache reset, then try updating again.

    References:

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  2. Clary-N 15,730 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-03-03T07:53:14.9666667+00:00

    Hi Joe Durango Realty PC,

    Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I understand how inconvenient it can be when a Windows update keeps failing, especially when you’re trying to keep your device secure and up to date.

    I can see that Q&A Assist has already suggested a few steps. If those didn’t resolve the issue, the steps below focus on repairing the Windows Update components so the update can complete successfully:

    Step 1: Repair the Windows system image

    This step checks and repairs the core Windows components that updates rely on.

    1. Click Start, search for Command Prompt, right‑click it, and select Run as administrator.
    2. In the Command Prompt window, type the command below and press Enter: 
         DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    3. Please wait for the process to complete, then restart your PC.

    Step 2: Check and repair system files (SFC)

    This scan looks for any remaining corrupted system files and repairs them automatically.

    1. After restarting, open Command Prompt as administrator again.
    2. Run the following command and press Enter: 
         sfc /scannow
    3. Once the scan finishes, restart your device.

    Step 3: Reset Windows Update components

    This refreshes the Windows Update services and clears any cached update data that may be causing the error.

    1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
    2. Run the commands below one line at a time, pressing Enter after each: 
         net stop bits
   net stop wuauserv
   ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak
   ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
   net start bits
   net start wuauserv
    3. Restart your PC, then return to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates again.

    If the update still doesn’t install after these steps, please let me know what message you see next. I’ll be happy to help guide you further.

    If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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    1 person found this answer helpful.

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