Windows Update Error 80073712: Eliminate This Error With Effective Technique

Keeping the Operating Systems updated with upgraded security features is the main goal of Windows Update service. But, while trying to update, users often face the Windows update error code 80073712. It indicates that the Windows Update service requires a file that is missing or damaged. This error can also happen due to an unfinished installation/uninstallation of any software. In this situation, the Windows Update service is not able to complete the update process.

If you are dealing with the same error, for the first time, then it’s quite a difficult task for you to fix this error all by yourself. But, nothing to be worried about. Here, in this article, we are going to present some amazing tips and tricks which can help you to solve this error within a short span of time. Hence, you are advised to go through the guide given below.

Easy Hacks to Fix the Windows Update Error 80073712

There is a lot of ways to fix the Windows update error code 80073712. Follow the methods given below:

Solution 1: Using Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows Update troubleshooter is an in-built tool troubleshoot that can fix any problems associated with the Windows Operating System. To run this tool you need to follow the steps given below:

1. At first, move the cursor to the left-bottom corner of the screen and click on the Start menu. Then, type ‘Troubleshooting’ in the search bar. As a result, you will see the Control Panel and the Troubleshooting option.
2. Click on the ‘Troubleshooting’ option.
3. In the next window, go to the ‘System and Security’ tab. Now, scroll down the list and locate the link that prompts ‘Fix problems with Windows Update’. Click on it.
4. It will start to run the Windows Update troubleshooter tool. You need to wait until it finishes completely.

After that, try to run the Windows Update service to install the updates again. If you face the same issue, then you need to go through the next methods.

Solution 2: Using DISM Tool

DISM or Deployment Image Servicing and Management is an in-built tool that comes along with Windows Operating System. It can be used to repair/service the Windows Image. It can also fix the error code 80073712. To run the DISM tool, you need to perform the steps given below. But, before going to perform the steps you need to be careful while executing the steps. Hence, a small mistake while running this tool can lead to another issue.  

1. At first, you have to go to the Start menu. Then, you have to type ‘Command Prompt’ in the search bar of the Start menu. As a result, it will show the ‘Command Prompt’ option. Right-click on it. Choose the ‘Run as Administrator’ to run the Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
2. Now, you have to type the commands given below. To run these commands you need to press the Enter key from your keyboard. Here, you need to make sure that you wait for the first command to complete. After completing the first command, you should start the second one.  

• DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
• C: \WINDOWS \system32>dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Scanhealth
• DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
• C: \WINDOWS \system32>dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image / Restorehealth

1. Wait for a few seconds until the second one finish.
2. Now, you have to exit from the Command Prompt. To close the Command Prompt, you should hit the Alt and F4 key, both at the same time from the keyboard.  

Try to run the Windows Update to check whether the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool have solved the error code 80073712 Windows 8 or not. If the error still persists, then you should move on to the next solution.

Solution 3: Run SFC (System File Checker)

SFC or System File Checker is a tool of Windows that can help you to scan the corrupted system files of Windows, as well as, can help you to restore them. Now, you need to run the System File Checker to check if it can fix the error code 80073712. To run this tool, you need to perform the steps given below:

1. Go to the Start menu.
2. Now, navigate to the left pane of the Start menu and click on the Control Panel.  
3. Type the command ‘sfc /scannow’. Then, hit the Enter key from the keyboard to run the command. Now, you need to wait until the process becomes finished.  
4. After that, you will see a statement on scanning. You need to take relevant action depending on the scanning statement.

Now, check if the error still occurs or not. If you still face the same problem, then go to the next method.

Solution 4: Rename the Software Distribution Folder

Software Distribution folder is a temporary folder where Windows saves the update files until they are fully downloaded. Then, it will initiate the updating procedure. You should try to rename the folder to fix the Windows update error code 0x80073712. To rename the Software Distribution folder, you need to follow the steps given below:

1. At first, you need to launch the Start menu.
2. Then, you have to type ‘Command Prompt’ in the search bar of the Start menu.
3. As a result, it will show the Command Prompt option. Right-click on this option. Choose the ‘Run as Administrator’ option to run the command prompt with administrator privileges.
4. Now, you have to type the commands given below and hit the Enter key from the keyboard after each command.

1st: net stop wuauserv

2nd: net stop cryptSvc

3rd: net stop bits

4th: net stop msiserver

5th: rename c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution software distribution.old

6th: net start wuauserv

7th: net start cryptSvc

8th: net start bits

9th: net start msiserver

10th: exit

Solution 5: Reset the Components of Windows Update

Damaged or Faulty components of Windows Update can also be the reasons behind Windows update error code 80073712. To fix this issue, you need to follow the steps as follows:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Go to the Control Panel.
3. Right-click on it and select ‘Run as Administrator’ option to run it with the administrator privilege.
4. Now, you need to enter the following commands on the Command Prompt window. Hit the Enter key after each command to execute them.

1st: net stop bits

2nd: net stop wuauserv

3rd: net stop appidsvc

4th: net stop cryptsvc

5th: ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak

6th: ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

7th: net start bits

8th: net start wuauserv

9th: net start appidsvc

10th: net start cryptsvc

Now, exit from the Command Prompt window and check whether the error code 80073712 still persists or not. If you still face the same issue, then go to the next method.

Solution 6: Remove the Pending .XML File

Windows update error 80073712 can also happen due to the pending .xml files of the system. Try to remove those pending .xml file from your system. To remove this, you need to perform the steps given below:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type ‘Command Prompt’ in the search bar of the Start menu.
3. Run the Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
4. After opening the Command Prompt window, you have to enter the commands given below. Press the Enter key from the keyboard after each command to execute them:   

1st: net stop trustedinstaller

2nd: cd %windir%\winsxs

3rd: takeown /f pending.xml /a

4th: cacls pending.xml /e /g everyone:f

5th: del pending.xml

1. If you see that the window prompts the notification ‘The Windows Modules Installer service is not started’, then just ignore it by pressing the Enter key from the keyboard.

Now, close the Command Prompt window. Try to run the Windows Update service to check that the error code 80073712 is still showing or not. If it still occurs, then go to the next method.

Solution 7: Restart the Windows Update Service

Windows Services or the services.msc are specifically used to change the Windows services that are currently running on your Computer. This service is responsible to run the available applications, as well as, managing several system resources and settings. You can adjust the security settings, troubleshooting or any performance related issues of the service. It allows the installation, download, and detection of updates for Windows. To perform this, you need to follow the steps as follows:

1. At first, you have to hit the Windows key and R both at the same time from the keyboard to open the Run command box. Or, if you prefer, you can right-click on the Start menu and choose the option ‘Run’ by going to the Contextual menu.
2. Now, you have to type ‘services.msc’ in the Run command box. Hit the Enter key from the keyboard or just click on the OK button.  
3. As a result, it will open a list. Scroll down the list to find the ‘Windows Update’ option. Or, if you prefer, you can also search the ‘Windows Update’ option by pressing the ‘W’ from the keyboard.
4. Right-click on the ‘Windows Update’ option and choose the option ‘Stop’.
5. Then, again you have to right-click on the ‘Windows Update’ option. Now, choose the ‘Start’ option.

After that, you have to try to run the Windows Update service to check if the Windows update error code 0x80073712 is resolved.

Lastly…

In the above section, we have discussed some of the easiest solutions to fix the Windows update error code 80073712. We hope if you properly implement the above ways in their respective order, then it will definitely help you to put an end to this error. After successfully performing the above steps if you still face this same issue, then you need to get expert help. In addition, you can also share your queries and valuable feedback through the comment section given at the end of this post.