If you are getting the error code 0x80070002 on your laptop/PC (which can also be displayed as 0x80070003), then don’t worry. It is one of the most common issues occurring in Windows, and you can resolve this issue easily by yourself. These two errors are actually the same problem. It is one of the most common error codes occurring in windows and here you will be provided with the easiest quick fixes to solve it.
Windows Update Error 0x80070002?
This error code varies depending on the versions of Windows. In Windows 10/8/7 the error code will appear as 80070002, whereas in Windows XP, it will be seen as 0x80070002. This variation occurs due to some missing or corrupted files in Windows Update, even if the updated file is downloaded successfully. Hence, for getting rid of the error work through the suggested methods one-by-one until it is fully resolved.
How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070002
The following methods are some of the solutions that helped many users facing the same issue. These can be tried one after another till the issue is fully resolved.
Method 1: Check the Date And Time Setting
Many of us won’t even believe it as a solution, but it does work in some cases. It is important that your computer’s time matches to that of the Internet server as one of the major reason of the error occurring is the incorrect time/date of your window PC/laptop.
For Windows 7/8
If you are a Windows 7/8 user, then you need to thoroughly follow the given instruction step by step to erase the issue that has been occurred.
Step 1 – At first, click the Date and Time button at the bottom right. Then, click Change date and time settings.
Step 2 – Then, click on Change date and time to make sure that the date and time is correct on your Windows. After that, click OK.
Step 3 – Next, click Change time zone to make sure that the time zone is correct. Click OK.
Step 4 – Click the Internet Time tab at the top, then click Change Settings. Make sure to check the box next to Synchronize with an Internet time server. Click on Update now, then click OK.
Step 5 – Click on OK to finish the settings. Restart the computer and try Windows Update again to see if it works.
For Windows 10
If you are a windows 10 user then you are supposed to abide the following written steps accordingly in order to successfully solve the occurred error code.
Step 1 – Type cmd in the search box, and right-click Command Prompt to click Run as administrator. Then click yes.
Step 2 – Respectively type time, date, and w32tm/resync in the window. Press Enter after each command. If the time and date are incorrect after running, you can type the correct time and date in the window and press Enter.
Step 3 – After the commands are complete, restart your computer and try Windows Update again to see if it works.
METHOD 2: MODIFY THE WINDOWS UPDATE INSTALLATION FILES
Try renaming or deleting the installation file, as many times the 0x80070002 error occurs due to the failure of the system update process or may be because of the corrupted or missing Windows Update installation files.
But before changing the files, the Windows Update services needs to be stopped as otherwise it is not possible to modify it in the working state. Once you have stopped the Windows Update services, then by following the below written steps, you will be able to successfully modify the required files.
1 – Disable the Windows Update service.
Step 1 – Press the Windows logo key + R to invoke the Run box. Then type msc, and click OK.
Step 2 – Double click Windows Update (in case of Windows XP, double click Automatic Updates). Change the Startup type to Automatic and click Start in the Service status. Then click Apply and OK to save.
Step 3 – Restart the PC and try the Windows Update again to see if it works.
2 – Delete the Software Distribution Folder.
Step 1 – Double click the drive where your Windows is installed. (C drive)
Step 2 – Go to folders: Windows > SoftwareDistribution. Delete the folder named SoftwareDistribution.
(In case any administrator password or confirmation is asked, then type your password or provide confirmation.And in case you don’t want to delete this file, then you can also rename it with SoftwareDistributionOld.)
Step 3 – Close all the panes.
3 – Re-enable the Windows update service.
Step 1 – Press the Windows logo key + R to invoke the Run box. Then, type msc, and click OK.
Step 2 – Right click Windows Update (in case of Windows XP, right click Automatic Updates). And click Start.
Step 3 – Restart the Windows and try Windows Update again to see if it solves the problem.
METHOD 3: TRY WINDOWS UPDATE TROUBLESHOOTER
Trying the Windows update troubleshooter has always being considered as the go-to solution picked by maximum number of users, when they faced any kind of problems regarding running the Windows Update. Given below are the steps, which you need to abide for completing this process successfully.
Step 1 – Download the troubleshooter from Microsoft. Run the downloaded file.
Step 2 – Click Windows Update, and click Next.
Step 3 – Then it will run and try to fix the problem. After completing, restart your PC and try Windows Update again to see if it works.
METHOD 4: MODIFY REGISTRY EDITOR
If even now also the error code exists, then you can try the next method that is by modifying the registry editor. While installing the Windows Update, if you see any error then you can use this method to resolve the issue occurred in your PC/laptop. Before proceeding, make sure to select the English (United States) in the language setting. And don’t forget to run the Windows Media Creation Tool as administrator (right-click it and select Run as administrator option). After successfully doing this much, follow the below listed instructions systematically, in order to resolve the occurred issue.
Step 1 – At first, press the Windows key + R.
Step 2 – Type regedit and press Enter. You may be asked to provide the administrative right to open. If asked then click Yes to confirm.
Step 3 – Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\OSUpgrade.
Step 4 – Select the OSUpgrade key. Then, right click in the empty area on the right pane of Registry Editor and click New. Then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 5 – Right-click the newly created NewValue#1 and select Modify.
Step 6 – Change the value name to AllowOSUpgrade. Then double-clicks the number under Value data and enter 1. Then select Hexadecimal and click OK.
Step 7 – Restart your PC/laptop and retry to see if it works.
CONCLUSION
The error code 0x80070002 or 80070002 is one of the most commonly occurring error codes in Windows. This error code can also display as 0x80070003 or 80070003 in various versions of Windows. These errors can occur due to various reasons some of which have been already listed above and for solving the issue there are various methods mentioned step-wise in the aforementioned in the article, which makes it easy for the reader to resolve the occurred error code of his own, without taking help from any computer instructor.
