Windows 10 is, without a doubt, Microsoft’s best operating system, yet it still has several issues. Also known as a buggy OS is Windows 10. Microsoft continues to provide new security updates to fix Windows 10 flaws, yet many users still face issues such as Windows Update Errors, Driver Errors, DLL Errors, and so on. One of these is the 0x80073712 windows update error code. It throws an error notice with the code 0x80073712 when you attempt to download new updates.
According to Microsoft, the error happens when one or more files on your system are missing or corrupted. These files are required by the Windows Update service to download and install new update files. Therefore, you must fix corrupted update files and the Windows setup to resolve this issue. We’ll list some effective solutions below to fix this Windows Update Error Code 0x80073712 error.
Error Code 0x80073712 In Windows 10 And 11? How To Fix
Before attempting any solution, restart your computer. This will refresh your operating system and delete any faulty data that may be the source of the problem. Download a new Windows update after rebooting. Follow these troubleshooting steps if you still face a Windows error code 0x80073712.
Run Windows Update Troubleshooter Tool
Microsoft has launched a new troubleshooter tool called Windows Update Troubleshooter that helps users to identify and fix numerous Windows update issues. The tool will automatically search your system for modifications or missing files and take you through fixing any issues. Follow these steps to use the Windows troubleshooter tool.
1 – Open the Start menu and type “troubleshooting” into the search box on your Windows computer.
2 – Open the troubleshoot settings from the results.
3 – Click the “Additional Troubleshooters” button in the troubleshooting area. This will open all available troubleshooters to fix numerous issues on Windows 10.
4 – Click the “Windows Update” button in the Getup and running section. Then click “Run the troubleshooter” once again.
5 – The troubleshooter will detect the issue as soon as you click Run the Troubleshooter. Wait till it is running for some time. Then, it will begin scanning for any pending restarts and missing files.
6 – After it is finished, it will list the steps to fix the issue. You need to follow these steps and restart your computer.
7 – Click Check for updates in Windows Update in Settings. It should now work.
Free Up Some Drive Space So You Can Run Updates
For new Windows updates, you should have adequate space. Whenever you install a new Windows update, it will download new system files, which takes up more disk space. This type of error now appears when your hard drive or SSD runs out of space. Always ensure that your system disk has adequate storage space to accommodate new Windows updates. Before installing a new Windows update, ensure your disk has more space than 10GB.
Run SFC Scan
Try another built-in tool called system file checker if you still face issues with the Windows update. SFC, like Windows troubleshooter, is used to fix numerous issues, such as the error code 0x80073712 in Windows 10. In addition, your system will be checked by the tool for missing or damaged files. The software also identifies erroneous Windows registry entries and assists in removing all of these errors from the system. Users may also fix any errors they may have made accidentally by using the command prompt. The following are the steps to using the tool.
1 – Go to the start menu and search for cmd. Then, right-click Command Prompt from the results list and choose Run as Administrator.
2 – Accessing all system files will open the Command Prompt tool with administrator privileges.
3 – Type the sfc /scannow command in the cmd window and click enter.
4 – The file checking tool will start with this command. But first, the tool will scan your system for missing or corrupted files.
5 – It will be time-consuming. However, problematic files may be replaced or repaired with the tool.
6 – When done, restart your computer.
Use Deployment Image Servicing And Management Tool
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a sophisticated tool with a command-line interface. New Windows update files, packages, and security updates are downloaded and installed using the DISM tool. With the help of this DISM tool, you may also customize Windows image files. According to several users, this DISM tool will fix the Windows update problem.
1 – Go to the start menu, search for cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as Administrator. Next, you may access the DISM tool; this will open the cmd tool with administrator privileges.
2 – Type the following commands into the cmd window, then press Enter after each command.
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
3 – To implement the new Deployment Image Servicing and Management modifications, type “exit” to leave Command Prompt and restart your computer.
Deleting Pending.xml File
When you click download updates, your system often refuses to install new updates. When you attempt to download new updates, it sometimes throws an error code of 0x80073712. You must delete the pending.xml file to fix this problem. It includes details about all pending updates and restarts. This step is unlikely to resolve the underlying reason, but it is worth a go. Your system will check for new Windows updates when it deletes pending tasks and fixes the never-ending update cycle. Every time a new update is installed, the system must be restarted. The steps to delete all data from the pending.xml file are shown below.
1 – Search for pending.xml in the C:\Windows\WinSxS\. You may skip this procedure if it is not accessible there.
2 – Now rename and alter the file’s name. Delete it is another option. The issue will be fixed by doing this, which will refresh the Windows update package.
To delete pending.xml, you can use Command Prompt.
1 – To open the start menu, use the window button, then search for cmd.
2 – Select Run as Administrator when you right-click on Command Prompt.
3 – Type the following commands and hit enter after each one.
net stop trustedinstaller
cd %windir%\winsxs
takeown /f pending.xml /a
cacls pending.xml /e /g everyone:f
del pending.xml
4 – It’s time to restart your computer.
Check to see if you can fix the Update error code 0x80073712. If you continue to see this error message, go to the next solution.
Rename Software Distribution Folder
All files relating to outdated Windows updates were saved in the Software Distribution folder. The Microsoft service requires the folder for new updates to be installed. However, if any file in the Software Distribution folder is missing or corrupted, you may see similar errors. It is possible to fix the issue by renaming the folder. The steps are as follows.
1 – Launch Command Prompt with Administrator access.
2 – Type the below commands one at a time, pressing enter after each command.
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
Now go to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution directory and rename it SoftwareDistribution.bak before saving it.
Or run this command rename c:windowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
3 – Follow these two steps one more, then hit enter.
net start wuauserv
net start bits
The Software Distribution folder will be renamed as a result of these commands. First, in your C: > Windows directory, verify the activity.
Restart Windows Update
Many users fixed the Windows Update Error Code 0x80073712 by restarting the Windows Update Service. Therefore, let’s attempt to fix the update service issue by restarting the service. You may do so by following these steps.
1 – Press the Win + R key on your computer to launch the Run utility tool.
2 – Type services.msc in and click enter. Open Windows services using this command.
3 – Locate a Windows Update Service here.
4 – Select Start if stop by right-clicking the service. It will force the service to start. If the service is already running, it should be stopped and restarted.
5 – Next, choose Automatic as the Startup Type. For Windows to automatically check for all pending updates.
6 – Restart your system to see if the issue has been fixed.
The Bottom Line:
The issue ought to be fixed by now. We have provided all available solutions to fix the Windows 10 update error code 0x80073712. First, try using system restore if you still face Windows update errors. This will bring your system back to life. Then, try downloading and installing the new Windows 10 update when it has finished. If you still have a doubt, please leave a comment below.
