[Fix] Windows Update Error Code 0x80070002

This error is mainly caused by corrupt system files in Windows. However, you can also see this error if the Windows update files under the software distribution folder are corrupted.

Windows Update 0x80070002
How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070002

When we download the Windows updates, all the files are downloaded in the software distribution folder, and then when we restart Windows, they get installed, and Windows gets updated. But, this error will occur if the Windows update files get corrupted due to a bad network connection or for other reasons while downloading Windows updates.

1. Repair system files

Since corrupt system files are the main reason for this error to appear, we will start with repairing them. To repair the system files, we use SFC or System file checker, a command line utility used to restore and replace the corrupt system files from the cache folder located in %WinDir%\System32\dllcache. To run the command, follow the steps:

  1. Press the Windows key and type Command Prompt.
  2. Right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
    Opening Command Prompt as an administrator
    Opening Command Prompt as an administrator
  3. Once it is launched, enter the following command and wait for the verification to be finished.
    sfc /scannow
    Running system file checker on command prompt
    Running system file checker on command prompt
  4. Once done, try updating your Windows to see if the error is fixed. If not, follow the other methods.

2. Run Windows update troubleshooter

The easy way to fix any Windows update error is to run the Windows update troubleshooter, which works in most cases. It is a built-in troubleshooting utility that detects and fixes problems, which prevents Windows updates from being installed.

  1. To run the Windows update troubleshooter, press the Windows key and type Troubleshoot Settings.
    Opening Troubleshooting Settings
    Opening Troubleshooting Settings
  2. Open the settings and navigate to Other troubleshooters.
    Navigating to other troubleshooters
    Navigating to other troubleshooters
  3. Run the Windows update troubleshooter.
    Running Windows update troubleshooter
    Running Windows update troubleshooter
  4. Wait for it to detect the problem.
  5. If it detects any issue, it will ask you to fix it. Just click Yes to fix the problem.
    Fixing problem with Windows update troubleshooter
    Fixing problem with Windows update troubleshooter
  6. Once done, close the troubleshooter and check if your problem is resolved or not.

3. Reset the Windows update component

If the SFC scan did not find any corrupt system files. In that case, the error is due to a problem with Windows update components such as stopped Windows update services, corrupt registry files, software distribution, and catroot folder. These components are essential for delivering Windows updates successfully. Therefore, if there is a problem that prevents Windows updates from being delivered, this error will occur. Hence, resetting all of them to their default will fix your issue.

  1. To do so, download the reset Windows update component batch file from the link.
  2. Once done, right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
    Running Windows update reset batch file
    Running Windows update reset batch file
  3. Once done, check if the problem is resolved or not. If not, follow the final method.

4. Download Windows update manually

Once you reset the Windows update component, you can download the Windows update manually from the Microsoft Catalog. A website that contains all the Windows updates released so far. To download the Windows update, follow the steps:

  1. Go to the Microsoft Catalog site, and type the Windows update name in the search box showing you this error.
  2. Download the Windows update according to your system type.
    Downloading Windows update
    Downloading Windows update
  3. Once done, double-click the installer and wait for your system to install the update.
  4. Once done, check if the error is fixed or not.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kamil Anwar


Kamil is a certified MCITP, CCNA (W), CCNA (S) and a former British Computer Society Member with over 9 years of experience Configuring, Deploying and Managing Switches, Firewalls and Domain Controllers also an old-school still active on FreeNode.