Windows Update Error 0x80073712 {Solved}

While you are carrying out a Windows update on your PC, you might encounter the error code 0x80073712 or 0x80070003. This error occurs because a file that the Windows update needs is either missing or damaged. Hence, the Windows update is not able to continue the process. This error is not specific for a particular update. Rather, it comes up randomly during any Windows update.

When the error occurs during your attempt to install the updates, a message saying that the update installation has failed appears. This issue annoys the users as it blocks the update process and wastes time. Nevertheless, if you get the error message, you can try multiple solution measures.

How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80073712 in Windows 10

This article brings forth the different methods of solving the Windows Update Error 0x80073712. Read each solution in detail and try it out one by one.

Solution 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

The built-in troubleshooter in Windows helps to look for problems that cause the error message and aids you to solve it most of the time. The troubleshooter works out almost all the issues you face. Many users have said that running the troubleshooter has solved their problem. You can try this measure by following these steps:

Step 1: Firstly, press the Windows key and type “Troubleshooting”. Click and open the Troubleshooting window.

Step 2: Select System and Security, search for the option that says Fix problems with Windows Update.

Step 3: Now, run the troubleshooter and wait until the process is over. After it is complete, try running Windows Update and installing your updates once again. If the error persists, you can try the next procedure.

Solution 2: Run the DISM Tool to Fix the Issue

A DISM tool is a built-in tool that helps in servicing a Windows Image. The Deployment Image Servicing and Management Tool fixes many issues related to Windows and might help you solve this error. Keep in mind that this tool is very powerful, and if you make an error while using it, that might lead to other issues.

Step 1: Press Windows + X key combination and select Command Prompt. Another way is to click Start, type “cmd”, right click on it, and click on Run as Administrator.

Step 2: After getting into the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

Step 3: Wait for the first command to execute, and then type the next command and press Enter.

DISM.exe / Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Step 4: Wait until the second command executes and exit the Command Prompt by clicking the X in the corner or by typing and entering “exit”.

Step 5: Finally, try to run the Windows Update again and check if the problem appears again.

Solution 3: Run Some Commands

If the update error occurs, you can run some commands and reset the basic elements of the update that can get you access to the update files. For running the commands, you need to open an elevated command prompt. To carry out this method, follow this procedure:

Step 1: Firstly, press Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type “cmd” and press Shift + Ctrl+ Enter to run as administrator.

Step 3: After this, run each of the following commands one by one and press “Enter” after each command. Wait for each command to execute before entering the next command.

net stop trustedinstaller

cd %windir%\winsxs

takeown /f pending.xml /a

cacls pending.xml /e /g everyone:f

del pending.xml

net stop wuauserv

ren c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.old

net start wuauserv

Finally, try to run the updates and check if it works this time.

Solution 4: Running System Readiness Tool

Sometimes, you need the system readiness tool to prepare your Windows PC of earlier versions for the upgrade to Windows 10. In order to run the system readiness tool, follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to the official website of Microsoft and download the system readiness tool by clicking on the download button.

Step 2: After the download, run the executable and follow the instructions provided on the screen.

Step 3: When the process is complete, try to run the Windows update and see if the issue appears.

Solution 5: Perform In-Place Upgrade

If none of the above methods works, you can try performing an in-place upgrade. Users have said that in some cases, the issue gets resolved only when you run an in-place upgrade. Hence, in this procedure, you can try using the Windows Media Creation tool to carry out an in-place upgrade. The steps for this procedure are as follows:

Step 1: Initially, you have to download the Windows Media Creation Tool. You can download it from the official website of Microsoft.

Step 2: Follow the prompts that you see on the screen. Click on the “Upgrade this PC now” option.

Step 3: In the next prompt that appears, select the “Keep Personal Files” option and choose the “Install” option.

Step 4: The installation begins, and you have to wait until the process is complete. When the installation process is over, try to run the Windows update again and check to see if the issue persists.

If the error is still present, you can try to refresh your system or carry out a repair install. A repair install is more advisable and can solve any errors instantaneously. You can execute repair install by using the ISO file. For this, you have to download the ISO file from “microsoft.com” and save it on your device.

It is advisable to save the file on the desktop. After this, mount the ISO file on your PC by following the prompts. For starting the repair, you have to double click on the file setup.exe.

You can also carry out the repair install by using the USB installation media. If even the repair install does not fix the problem, you can try a clean install that will automatically upgrade your device if you download the new ISO.

Conclusion

The Windows Update error 0x80073712 is not rare in Windows devices. This error appears in Windows computers, irrespective of the version, and occurs during the update. This restricts the update and leaves the user in frustration.

It does not occur only for a specific update, but happens randomly. This article provides you with some of the most effective and possible solutions to fix Windows Update Error 0x80073712. I hope one of these methods works out for you.