How to Fix “Error Code: 0x80070032” on Windows Update?

The error often arises due to lack of drive space, interference of Windows Defender, corrupted system files, and outdated system drivers. These are the most common contributors factors behind the update stuck. The error occurs when the pending update is successfully installed, and you have to restart for the changes to take effect. However, if the error occurs, the changes may not affect even if you restart the computer, but it is good to give it a try and restart the computer.

According to our research, there can be many reasons why you are getting a 0x80070032 error, we have listed some of the main ones below:-

• Corrupted System Files- Corrupted System Files are one of the main culprits that can trigger a 0x80070032 error. Most crucial files can get corrupted due to the sudden shutdowns. Fortunately, some commands help in restoring corrupted files.
• Interference of third-party antivirus- As per the affected users, Windows Defender or even third-party antivirus software blocks the essential files that might be important for Windows updates. Therefore, you must disable the antivirus temporarily to see if this fixes Error Code: 0x80070032.
• Stopped Windows Update Services- Sometimes, Windows update Services stop automatically if they might not be in use. To avoid this, you need to restart the service by following the below method.
• Corrupted Files in Software Distribution Folder- There is a good possibility that the content in the software distribution folder is corrupted. It is a folder that stores temporary data that may require Windows during the update.
• Outdated Hardware Driver- As per our research, if there is an outdated third-party driver downloaded from the manufacturer’s website can trigger this Error: 0x80070032. So make sure your drivers are up-to-date.

1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows Update Troubleshooter is a utility that allows users to fix issues regarding Windows updates. Most Windows Update errors can be fixed by running the Windows Update troubleshooter.

1. To run Windows Update Troubleshooter, launch Settings by pressing the Win + I on the keyboard
2. Navigate to Update & Security
   

   

3. Click Troubleshoot from the left pane
4. Click View Additional Troubleshooter
   

   

5. Select Windows Update and click Run The Troubleshooter
   

   

6. It will automatically start detecting and fixing problems
7. Once done, try to update Windows.

2. Reset the Windows Update Components

The second and most effective method on the list is resetting Windows Update components, resetting Windows update components clear the temporary files, restarting the Windows services, and replacing the corrupted ones with the default. Below are the steps to reset Windows Update Components:-

1. Click Start Menu and type Command Prompt
2. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch the terminal as an administrator

   

3. Insert the following commands and press Enter after each command

   net stop bits
   net stop wuauserv
   net stop appidsvc
   net stop cryptsvc
   ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
   netsh winsock reset
   net start bits
   net start wuauserv
   net start appidsvc
   net start cryptsvc

4. Press the Windows + R to open Run Program
5. Enter the below path and press Enter
   C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

   

6. Now select all the files by pressing Ctrl + A on the keyboard
7. Right-click on the files and select Delete
   

   

8. Once done, check if the error is still causing.

3. Set Windows Update Services to run Automatically

If the issue persists, try setting up the Windows update services to start automatically. This method allows users to update Windows instantly when they restart. Follow the steps to set Windows updates services to run automatically:-

1. Type Command Prompt in the search bar
2. Right-click on it and choose Run As Administrator
3. Once the command prompt is opened, put the following commands and hit the Enter key after each line of code

   SC config cryptsvc start= auto
   SC config trustedinstaller start= auto
   SC config wuauserv start= auto

   

4. Once done, restart your computer and see if your Windows is updating.

4. Uninstall the Latest Update

Sometimes the windows update is corrupt or problematic, which may cause Error: 0x80070032, which is why you will need to uninstall the recent Windows update. Uninstalling the recent update will fix this error if the error arises due to the corrupt Windows update.

1. To uninstall the latest Updates, press Win + X on the keyboard
2. Click Settings from the listed options

   

3. Go to Update & Security
4. Click on View Update History then click Uninstall Updates
   

   

5. Select the Update you want to Uninstall
6. Then, right-click on the Update and click Uninstall
   

   

7. Once done, check if the error is resolved.

5. Disable Windows Defender Temporarily

Another solution to fix the Windows update error is temporarily disabling the antivirus. Usually, the type of error occurs due to the interference of the third-party antivirus or Windows Defender. Generally, antivirus software can block Windows updates for some reasons. Therefore, we advise you to disable the antivirus as it can aid in fixing Windows update errors.

1. To disable Windows Defender, click Start Menu and type Settings in the search bar
2. Open Settings and navigate to Update & Security
   

   

3. Click Windows Security from the left sidebar and click Virus and Threat Protection
   

   

4. Click Manage Settings to navigate advanced security settings

   

5. Turn off Real-Time Protection
   

   

6. Click Yes when asked for permissions
7. Once done, check if the error is fixed.

6. Restart Windows Update Services

As we told before, windows services stop automatically, which can trigger Error: 0x80070032. Windows services are necessary to complete the installation of regular updates. According to the affected users, restarting the service can fix the error even if the services are working fine.

1. To restart Windows update Service, launch the Run Program by pressing the Win +R
2. Type services.msc and press Enter
   

   

3. A services Window should open, find and right-click on the Windows Update service then select Properties
   

   

4. Change the Startup type from Manual to Automatic then click Apply
5. Now if the service is stopped, click the Start button under Service Status
   

   

6. Once done, check if the error is resolved.

7. Perform a Clean Boot

If any third-party software is interfering with the Windows Update, performing a clean boot will fix this issue. A clean boot is a troubleshooting technique that allows users to find problematic software. It is a process of starting Windows with a minimum of drivers and services. It also disables the third-party items that load at the startup because they can interfere with Windows services and other required components.

1. To perform a clean boot, press the Win + R keys at the same time to open Run Program
2. Type MSConfig and press Enter
   

   

3. Click on Selective Startup and go to the Services tab

   

4. Click Hide All Microsoft Services then click Disable All
5. Click Apply then click OK
   

   

6. Once done, restart your computer and check if the Error Code: 0x80070032 persists.

8. Free Up Drive Space

Another problem that could cause this error is the lack of drive space. Microsoft launches cumulative updates every month or week to fix bugs and improve Windows security to protect the computer system. Therefore, you need to check if there is enough space in the drive for the upcoming Windows update. If there is, proceed to the next solution; otherwise, free up some space by deleting temporary files or clearing the recycle bin.

To remove all the temporary files, press the Win + E on the keyboard to launch Windows Explorer

1. Click This PC from the left pane
2. Right-click on the drive, where Windows has installed
3. Select Properties from the listed options

   

4. Click Disk Cleanup, a short window will appear

   

5. Select all the files and click OK
   

   

6. Again a short Window will appear
7. Click Delete Files to confirm the action
8. Once done, try to update Windows and see if the error persists.

9. Run SFC or DISM

SFC or System File Checker is a command-line utility used to repair corrupted files on Windows. While, DISM, or Deployment Image Servicing and Management, has three commands that allow users to restore corrupted Windows images. These commands are mighty for restoring DLL files or .exe files. If you want to know more, read this article How to Use DISM to Repair Corrupted Files.

1. Type Command Prompt in the search bar
2. Click Run As Administrator from the right pane

   

3. Click Yes when Windows prompts to UAC
4. After launching the terminal, copy and paste the following commands

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   sfc /scannow

   

5. After inserting the following commands, go to Windows update and see if the error is resolved.

10. Check For the Drivers Update

At some point, outdated drivers from a third party may trigger this error. If you have any hardware that needs a driver update, then we recommend you to update the driver. Additionally, you can also disconnect the peripheral devices to see if this fixes Error Code: 0x80070032. To update the driver, follow the methods mentioned in this article How to Update Drivers.

If all else fails to fix this error, you can try resetting the Windows OS by visiting here.