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Windows Update Error 0x80073712: Effective Methods To Resolve

We know that Windows 10 comes with an auto-updating facility. For this, when the updates are available for Windows, the process starts automatically, if the internet service is active in the PC. In general, you will see that when you click the “Shutdown” button from the Power menu, the system demands to proceed through the auto-updating process. However, due to this purpose, the system takes a long time to turn off. If you interrupt this updating process, then this can result in the Windows Update error 0x80073712. Basically, the error 0x80073712 occurs due to corrupt or damaged Windows files. If you are facing this error, then do not lose hope. This problem can be fixed with the application of some of the methods, which you can learn from this article.

The methods to follow for fixing the error 0x80073712, are not that complicated. You can follow the methods very easily. If you really want to know what causes the Windows update error 0x80073712, then proceed with the very next section.

What Causes Windows 10 Update Error 0x80073712?

There are several factors which are responsible for the Windows error code 0x80073712, as follows:

  • A sudden power outage: If suddenly the power supply stops during the Windows 10 updating process, then this can cause the Windows update error 0x80073712.
  • Lack of patience during shutting down the computer: As you complete your work and proceed to shut down the Windows, then suddenly you notice that it demands to proceed through the updates. In this situation, if you shut down the PC forcefully, by directly switching off the power supply, then this can also be a reason for this error.
  • Installation of virus threats: In some cases, it is found that due to the insecurity of the system, many online threats gets installed into the device. And, these threats starts corrupting the different files of the system. If this is the case for which the Windows error 0x80073712 appears, then it is better to start a virus scanning method.

Whatever be the cause for the Windows error 0x80073712, but hopefully, you can resolve it with the help of these below methods.

Methods to Fix the Windows Update Error 0x80073712

Before proceeding to the exact methods, you must run a virus scan using the Windows Defender to ensure the absence of threats. And, the steps to follow, to run the complete scan using the Windows Defender, a pre-installed Microsoft product are as follows:

At first, navigate the cursor to the four flag symbol Windows icon, which is at the below left-hand side corner, and right click on it. Then, from the appearing menu window, tap on Settings. Now, as the Settings window open, from the available options, click on “Update & security”. After that, from the left side panel, from this ‘Update & security’ window, select Windows Defender. Next, scroll down the right side section of this window and reach to the end portion and click on “Open Window Defender”. Then, check the right side of this Window Defender screen, here you will visit three types of the scanning process, which are as follows:

  • Quick
  • Full
  • Custom

Now, from these options, enable the checkbox which is beside the ‘Full’ label. And then, click on Scan Now, to start the scanning process. The time taken to complete the scanning process depends upon the number of files present in the system. As the scanning gets over, now continue with these below methods to fix the Windows Update error 0x80073712.

Method 1: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

This is one of the most effective methods to fix this Windows update error. And, the steps to follow this method is as follows:

To initiate this method, at first, tap the Windows key, this will activate the Search bar. Then, on this Search bar type ‘troubleshoot’. Now, most probably, the top-most search result which you will visit is Troubleshoot, click on it.

Further, from the right side panel of this Troubleshoot Settings window, click on Windows Update, which is under the “Get up and running” section. Next, click on Run the troubleshooter. Then, this will starts scanning the system, and in case, if it finds the error, then it will display on the result screen. And, you need to proceed with the onscreen instructions to fix the problem.

After completing this method restart the system and try for Windows updates, to check, if it resolves the issue. In case, if you still face the Windows Update error 0x80073712 message during the process, then try the further methods.

Method 2: Run the SFC scan

System File Checker is an advanced system, with the help of which the corrupt system files can get fixed. If the corrupt file is the reason behind the Windows Update error 0x80073712, then you can follow these steps to fix the issue.

At first, tap the Windows button to activate the Search bar. After that, on the Search bar type ‘cmd’. Then, from the search result, go to the “cmd or Command Prompt” option, right-click on it. Next, from the available options, click on ‘Run as administrator’. By doing this whole process, you will visit that the black background, Administrator: Command Prompt titled window gets open, with a blinking cursor in it. Now, type “sfc /scannow”, without quotations on this Administrator: Command Prompt window and press the Enter button. After doing these fore-mentioned steps, you will see that the System File Checker scanning process is in progress and you will notice the percentage calibration. As the scanning is done, close the Administrator: Command Prompt window and restart the Computer. Now, hopefully, you will get rid of the Windows Update error 0x80073712. And, if the problem persists, then try to use the DISM tool which may help to fix this glitch.

Method 3: Run the DISM Tool

This is one of the most effective tools to fix the Windows Update issue. And, the steps to run the DISM tool are as below:

Again, open the Administrator: Command Prompt to perform this method. The steps to do this is already explained in this above Method 2. Now, on this Administrator: Command Prompt type “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth”, without quotations and press the Enter button. Keep patience until this command accomplishes its task.

After that, on this same Administrator: Command Prompt type “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth”, without the quotations and hit the Enter button. You can even copy these commands from here to place these in the Administrator: Command Prompt window. After completing these commands, close the Administrator: Command prompt window and try to run the Windows update to check if it resolves the issue. Most of the users get a positive result from this method in solving the Windows error 0x80073712. After applying this method, if you still visit the same problem, then try these further steps to fix the glitch.

Method 4: Restart Windows Update Service

Due to some of the unpredictable Windows Update Service glitches, you may visit the Windows Update error 0x80073712. If this is the case, then to fix it you need to go through these following steps as stated below.

Open the Services Window

At first click on the Windows icon, which is located at the extreme left side corner, this will activate the Search bar. Then, on this Search bar type ‘run’ and tap the Enter key. After doing this, you will notice that the Run window opens near to the Windows icon. Then, on this Run bar, type this below command and hit the Enter button to open the Services window.

  • services.msc

Stop Windows Update Services

Now, from the options available under this Services window, navigate to the Windows Update and right-click on it. After that, from this window, select Stop and wait for a few seconds to proceed with the next step as explained in this below paragraph. Before proceeding to the next step, you can keep this “Services” window in a minimized condition.

Delete all the “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download” Contained items

And, the next step is, you need to open the Run window again, and the process to follow is still the same. Alternatively, you can also use the Windows and the letter R key both at the same time to open the Run bar. This time on this Run bar type this below command and press the Enter button.

“C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download”.

Next, click any item on the window, which opens by doing these above process. After that, press both the Ctrl and letter A key at the same time, to select all the items. Next, right-click on any of the item and select Delete. After doing this, you may note that the “Folder Access Denied” window opens. If this occurs, then click on the checkbox which is beside  “Do this for all current items” and then click on Continue. After deleting the items, close this Windows Explorer window and continue with the further steps.

Start Windows Update Services

To do this, again open the minimized Services window and then, right-click on the Windows Update option. And this time select Start. Next, close this “Services” window and try to update the OS, to check if the problem gets fixed. But still, if you are facing the Windows Update error 0x80073712 message window, then it is requested to try these below methods.

Method 5: Reset Windows Update Components

A faulty or damaged Windows Update components can also be the cause for the Windows Update error 0x80073712. And, if this is the case, then you can resolve it with the help of the Administrator: Command Prompt window. And, the steps to perform this task is very simple and are as follows:

First of all, you need to open the Administrator: Command Prompt window. The process is very simple. Tap the Windows key and then, write ‘cmd’ on the search bar. After that, right-click on the ‘cmd or Command Prompt’ from these search results and select ‘Run as administrator’. Now, as you visit the Administrator: Command Prompt, continue with these below commands, which are effective enough to fix this Windows update glitch.

Stop Windows BITS and Windows System Service

In this Administrator: Command Prompt window, type these commands to stop the Windows BITS and the Windows System Service. Do not forget to press the Enter button after each of these below commands to execute them.

  • net stop bits
  • net stop wuauserv

Stop “appidsvc” and “cryptsvc”

After completing these above commands, now continue with these below commands to stop  “appidsvc” and “cryptsvc”. And again, you need to keep pressing the Enter button after each of the commands to execute them.

  • net stop appidsvc
  • net stop cryptsvc

As, all these above commands get executed continue with these below commands to fix the Windows Update error 0x80073712, on this same Administrator: Command Prompt window. Every time you need to press the Enter button after each of these commands.

  • ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
  • ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

Restart the BITS and Windows System Service

After applying all these above commands, now restart the BITS and Windows System Service. And, the commands to apply for this are as follows. Press the Enter button after each of these commands.

  • net start bits
  • net start wuauserv

Restart  “appidsvc” and “cryptsvc”

Apply these below commands on this Administrator: Command Prompt to start “appidsvc” and “cryptsvc”. Press the Enter button after each of these below commands to execute.

  • net start appidsvc
  • net start cryptsvc

All these are the overall steps which you need to perform using the Administrator: Command Prompt. After that, restart your PC to check if you are eligible to perform the Windows updating task without any restrictions.

Method 6: Rename Software Distribution Folder

By changing the Software Distribution Folder name, many of the users said that they were able to resolve the issue. And, the steps for this method are also very simple, you can learn it from these below instructions.

To start this method, again, you need to open the Administrator: Command Prompt window. After that on this Command Prompt window, type these commands one by one as written below. And, also you need to press the Enter key after each of these commands to execute them.

  • net stop wuauserv
  • ren c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.old
  • net start wuauserv

After completing, all of these above commands, exit from the Administrator: Command Prompt by clicking on the red cross, from the right side of this window. Then, restart the system, so that, this process can get implemented and fix the Windows update error 0x80073712. As the system turns On, try for updates, to check if it resolves the issue.

All these are the effective methods to fix the Windows update error 0x80073712. After applying the methods, you can easily eliminate the risk from your computer. If you want, you can post your experience in the comment section below.

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