How to fix Windows Update error 0x80073712

What is error 0x80073712

Error 0x80073712 is a common update-related issue encountered by many Windows users. The problem appears when trying to download or install pending updates for the operating system. Users experiencing problems with it are often subject to seeing such messages:

or

Error code 0x80073712 may occur with different update releases. It usually does when there is a missing, bugged, or corrupted update component preventing the process. In other cases, the reason could be that the Windows Update service stopped working properly and has to be reset. Luckily, error 0x80073712 is not a very complicated issue, which can be resolved using basic instructions. Follow them down below and let us know how it went in the comments under the guide.

1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Although it is considered ineffective by many, in-built Windows Troubleshooter abilities can sometimes address issues like the 0x80073712 error. Troubleshooter is a native Windows utility designed to find and remove existing problems in various segments. You can use it to detect update issues and try to fix them eventually. Here is how:

1. Open Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. On the right pane, locate Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter.
3. Finish the process following the on-screen instructions and restart your PC.

After this, try to perform the update again. If this does not work, there are plenty of other potential solutions ahead in our tutorial.

2. Make sure the Windows Update service is running

Windows Update service is crucial to make your update center working correctly. We encourage you to check whether this service is on and does its job using these several steps:

1. Press Windows Key + R buttons together and copy-paste services.msc.
2. Once opened, find and right-click on a service called Windows Update from the list. Choose Properties.
3. Then, next to Startup type, choose Automatic and click on Start afterwards. If you are unable to click on the button and everything is already set, this means the Windows Update service is running and does not need to be adjusted in any way.
4. Finally, click Apply and OK to save the given changes.
5. Restart your PC and check if something has changed in a better way.

3. Check integrity of system files

As mentioned above, corrupted or missing system elements are tightly connected to why such errors occur. This is why it would be a good idea to double-check your file system and make sure nothing is out of its designated place. We are going to use both SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) utilities to check this. Both will help us detect and restore absent components if any are found after the scanning procedure. Make sure to use both of the scans as they can have a different impact on the error solution. This is how:

SFC

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching box next to the Start Menu button.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Once the console is opened, type the sfc /scannow command and click Enter.
4. When the fixing process is done, restart your computer.

DISM

1. Open Command Prompt as we did in the previous step.
2. Copy and paste this command DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth.
3. Click Enter and wait until Windows ends the scanning and fixing.
4. Once done, restart your PC and install the update again.

The results of the scans will tell you if anything has been restored. If yes, go install new updates and check if the same error appears.

4. Scan your hard drive for damaged fragments

In addition to checking the integrity of your file system, it is good to do the same, but with the hard drive as well. The method requires using the same Command Prompt we had experience with above, so it will not take too much of your time.

1. Open Command Prompt just as we did above.
2. Then, you should paste the chkdsk /f /r C: command and press Enter. If necessary, replace “C” with the letter of your hard drive.
3. The system will scan for both configuration and physical errors and automatically repair them.

Now try to install the problematic update. Yet no positive results? – Move on to other solutions further below.

5. Reset Windows Update components

One more recommendation to try is about resetting Windows Update settings. Statistically, this method has proven itself to be very effective when combating many update problems. The whole procedure involves restarting BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update services as well as renaming some update folders (SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2). These folders contain temporary files necessary for implementing Windows Updates. Based on this, we will force Windows to delete corrupted elements and create update-related components from scratch. Below, we will show you two ways of performing this method. The first requires typing and executing each console command in a manual sequence. The other is done using a so-called batch script written in Notepad and saved as WUReset.bat. There is no real difference in which one you choose. Although the entire procedure may seem advanced and complicated, it will not deprive too much of your time and knowledge. Just follow the sequence listed below:

Using manual steps

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching box next to the Start Menu button.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Copy-paste this list of commands one by one clicking Enter after each. (This action will disable services responsible for Windows Updates)

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver

4. Then, we have to rename the above-mentioned folders. Simply paste these commands by clicking Enter after each.

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

5. Finally, all left to do is to turn the disabled services back. So apply these commands likewise we did previously.

net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

6. Now we are all done with it. Go to the Windows Update center and try to perform the installation again.

Using the Batch Script

This is an alternative method to the above. A batch script is used to execute the same range of commands to reset all Windows Update components, Cryptographic services, and folders like SoftwareDistribution. It is not as hard as you could imagine, but rather easier than the previous one. All you need is a Windows Notepad and a bit of copy-paste magic. Batch scripts hold an upper hand over manual typing as they allow you to execute all the necessary commands at once. If you ever stumble into similar issues in the future, you can execute the already-created .bat file and reset update components:

1. Open a new Notepad file. For this, right-click on any free area over your desktop, choose New and Text document.
2. Then paste this list of commands into your notepad:

@ECHO OFF
echo Simple Script to Reset / Clear Windows Update
echo.
PAUSE
echo.
attrib -h -r -s %windir%system32catroot2
attrib -h -r -s %windir%system32catroot2*.*
net stop wuauserv
net stop CryptSvc
net stop BITS
ren %windir%system32catroot2 catroot2.old
ren %windir%SoftwareDistribution sold.old
ren "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader" downloader.old
net Start BITS
net start CryptSvc
net start wuauserv
echo.
echo Task completed successfully...
echo.
PAUSE

3. Once pasting is done, click File > Save as and name it WUReset.bat. Make sure to set Encoding to ANSI and save the file to any location you want.
4. Finally, you can right-click on the file, select Run as administrator and enjoy automatic reset of Windows Updates.

6. Download problematic updates via Update Assistant

Microsoft has developed a so-called Windows 10 Update Assistant, which allows people struggling with traditional updating to get the latest updates available for their system. It works great as a circumvention for many problems faced by users while trying to update. It is totally free and does not take too much time to download. Just follow these steps:

1. First, visit the official Update Assistant page and tap on the Update now button.
2. Then, open the downloaded file and click Update now again.
3. Windows will check if your PC is compatible within a couple of seconds. After this, click Next and wait until Windows updates your PC.
4. At the end, click Restart now to let Windows complete the installation of updates.

This is it. After performing the steps, your PC should be up-to-date and face no issues as previously.

7. Download a conflicting update from Microsoft Catalog

You can also try to isntall the problematic update yourself. If you continue to struggle installing the necessary update, then refer to Microsoft Catalog and download the conflicting update directly from it. To do this, simply go through the steps listed below:

1. Press Windows key + I at the same time.
2. Then navigate to Update & Security.
3. On the right side of the window, choose View update history.
4. After this, find and note the most recent update (on top of the list).
5. You can also find this out by noting the name of failing update (in case it displays).
6. Once done, search and download the noted update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

8. Scan for malware

Last, but not least is malware, which could be affecting your system and cause the aforementioned struggles. If you are sure you tried all the solutions above according to our manual, then we would put our hopes on scanning your system for malware. Malicious or unwanted programs are known to cause various damage or configuration clutter inside of the system. This is why it is worth running a thorough scan to make sure it is not the actual case. You can use default Windows Defender or try to install a more advanced antivirus developed by Malwarebytes – a trusted and talented group of experts constantly updating their software to fight off both local and global threats. You can download it now using the link below and try a 14-day trial of the ultimate antimalware experience for free.

Malwarebytes main window

Malwarebytes settings

Malwarebytes scan results

Summary

We hope no room has been left for 0x80073712 to nurture its presence. Note that all the solutions we listed above are versatile enough to be used for rectifying other closely related issues on various versions of Windows. If you ever start facing some other problems on Windows, Android, or Mac, search them up on our website to find the corresponding solutions. We have got a wide library of articles updated each day by our team.