Are you unable to update Windows 10 or any previous Windows system and seeing the update error 0x80073701 while attempting to update your Windows computer or laptop? If you answered yes, don’t worry; you can quickly resolve this error code 80073701 by following the fixes mentioned in this post. However, this error code is highly annoying since it occurs every time users attempt to update their computers.
The error code 0x80073701 prevents Microsoft’s cumulative updates from being installed, preventing users from updating their Windows system. Update error 80073701 can be caused by several factors, including a corrupted Windows system and update file, a slow internet connection, and others. Fortunately, several viable solutions have shown to be effective for many users in resolving update error 0x80073701. So, one by one, follow the solutions listed below: Let’s get this party started!
How To Fix Windows Update Error 0x80073701?
Run The Windows Update Troubleshooter
The Windows Update troubleshooter is intended to help you troubleshoot Windows update issues. It is one of the useful and effective tools for resolving error 0x80073701. Follow the instructions below to launch the Windows Update Troubleshooter:
1 – Go to the search option and search ‘troubleshoot,’ then click on Troubleshoot to open Settings.
2 – Select Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to open up the window shown below.
3 – After searching for update issues, the troubleshooter offers several solutions. To use the suggested fix, apply the Apply this fix option.
Run DISM And System File Scans (Deployment Image Servicing)
Because of damaged or corrupted Windows system files, the Windows system may occasionally throw the error 0x80073701. Check here How To fix the damaged system files, use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool to fix the wim.store. In addition, the SFC command can fix you in repairing corrupted system files. To run SFC and DISM commands from the Command Prompt, follow the instructions below.
1 – First, open the command prompt with the admin privilege.
2 – To accomplish this, search for ‘Command Prompt,’ then right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
3 – To run this command, run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management utility, type the following command, and press the Enter key.
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
4 – After executing the DISM command, run the SFC command. To do so, type the specified command and press the Enter key to execute it.
sfc /scannow
The SFC command might take up to 30 minutes.
After the scanning procedure is complete, restart your computer or laptop to see whether the error 80073701 in the Windows update has been fixed.
Reboot Windows Update Service
Restarting the Windows Update service may restart and fix the Windows Updates that failed to install – Error 0x80073701. However, you must first open the run dialogue box (by pressing the Windows key + R).
1 – In the run dialogue box, enter ‘services’ and press OK. This will open the service Window.
2 – Scroll down to Windows Update in the Service Window.
3 – Double-click on the Windows Update icon to open the window in the snapshot.
4 – To close the window, click the Stop button and OK.
5 – Finally, reboot the Windows Update Service. To restart Windows Update, right-click on it and select Start.
Restart your Windows 10 system to see whether the update error 80073701 has been resolved.
Reset Windows Update Components
Resetting Windows Update components to their default settings helps many users to fix error 80073701; therefore, if you are still experiencing the error, you should reset the Windows Update components. To achieve this, carefully follow the instructions outlined below.
1 – Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2 – After accessing the command prompt, run the commands listed below one by one (to do this, press the Enter key after each of them).
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop cryptSvc
- net stop bits
- net stop msiserver
3 – After that, rename the SoftwareDistribution folder by executing the commands listed below one by one (to do this, press the Enter key after each of them).
ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
We must now reboot the stopped services by issuing the following commands:
- net start wuauserv
- net start cryptSvc
- net start bits
- net start msiserver
Finally, exit the Command Prompt window and restart your computer and laptop. Check for the issue.
Verify Date And Time Settings
Some users reported that they resolved the error 0x80073701 by checking the date and time settings in Windows 10. So, after validating Windows 10’s date and time, we’ll give it a shot. To change the date and time settings, follow the instructions below:
1 – Go to the search option and search in ‘date.’
2 – Select the Date & time settings.
3 – From the Time zone drop-down menu, choose a time zone.
4 – Now, Toggle the Set the time automatically option to off and press the Change button to change the date and time manually.
5 – Alternatively, you may synchronize the clock with the server by selecting Add clocks for multiple time zones.
6 – Click the Change settings button on the Internet Time tab.
7 – Select the Synchronize checkbox and select a server from the drop-down menu. Click the Update Now button.
8 – Finally, press the OK button to close the window.
9 – Once again, click the Apply and OK buttons.
Check to see whether the error 0x80073701 has been fixed.
FAQ:
How To Fix Error 0x80073701 While Installing KB4512508 On Windows 10?
Follow the fixes below to fix the error 0x80073701 after installing the cumulative update KB4512508 in Windows 10.
1 – Run Windows update troubleshooter.
2 – Reset Windows Update.
3 – Fix corrupted Windows system files.
4 – Set the Date and time.
5 – Using Update Catalog, manually download the KB4512508 Update.
What Is The Root Cause Of Windows Update Error 80073701?
There are several causes for the error 80073701 while attempting to update Windows 10.
1 – Poor internet connection.
2 – Corrupted System files.
3 – Misconfigured or corrupted Windows components.
4 – Virus or malware infection.
5 – If the date and time are not set correctly.
How Can I Determine Which Cumulative Update Is Presently Installed On My Windows 10 PC?
To view the list of installed cumulative updates, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View the update history and look for the Update in the list.
The Bottom Line:
So that’s it for the Windows update error 0x80073701. All of the solutions given above are simple to implement, but it is recommended that you try them all and see which one works best for you. I hope the information was helpful and that you could install the Update easily.
