How to fix error 80070436 in Windows

by Milan Stanojevic

Deputy Editor

January 16, 2018

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Are you getting error 80070436 on your computer?

This error is usually caused due to an optional update that doesn’t meet your computer’s system requirements.

If this is your situation, here are some solutions you can try to help fix error 80070436 on your computer.

FIX: Error 80070436

Run Windows Update troubleshooter
Temporarily turn off firewalls and any antivirus or malware prevention software
Perform a Clean Boot
Install Windows Updates
Reset Windows Updates components
Perform a System Restore
Install Net Framework 3.5

Solution 1: Run Windows Update troubleshooter

This automatically detects, and fixes most incorrect settings on your computer, so do the following:

Click Start
In the search field box, type Troubleshooting
Click Troubleshooting

Click View all in the left pane

Select Windows Update

Click Next to run Windows Update Troubleshooter, then follow the instructions on the screen

If you still cannot fix error 80070436 after running Windows Update troubleshooter, try the next solution.

Solution 2: Temporarily turn off firewalls and any antivirus or malware prevention software

Sometimes having multiple firewall, antivirus or malware programs, may at times prevent you from performing certain tasks or run processes on your computer.

If this is the cause of the issue, turn either of the three off temporarily then try to log in again.

Ensure you turn these programs back on immediately after you’re done to prevent hackers, viruses and worms from damaging your system.

If you still cannot fix error 80070436 after disabling and re-enabling your security software, try the next solution.

ALSO READ: Top 5 two-way firewalls for Windows 10

Solution 3: Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot eliminates any software conflicts that may be causing the problem.

These conflicts can be caused by applications and services that start up and run in the background whenever you start Windows normally.

In order to successfully perform a clean boot on Windows 10, you have to be logged on as the administrator, then follow these steps:

Go to the search box
Type msconfig

Select System Configuration to open the dialog box as below:

Find Services tab

Select Hide all Microsoft services box

Click Disable all
Go to Startup tab
Click Open Task Manager

Close Task manager then click Ok
Reboot your computer

You will have a clean boot environment after following these steps. If you still cannot fix error 80070436, try the next solution.

ALSO READ: Fix: Computer keeps rebooting and freezing

Solution 4: Install Windows Updates

For a healthy computer, you need to keep updating Windows with the latest system updates, and drivers. This also helps resolve any issues or difficulties you may be experiencing.

Here’s how to check and install Windows Update (manually):

Go to Start
In the search field, type Windows Updates
Click on Windows Updates Settings from the search results

Click Check for updates

Install the latest Windows Updates

If this doesn’t fix error 80070436, try the next solution.

Solution 5: Reset Windows Updates components

Disclaimer: this solution contains steps that are part of modifying the registry. Please note that serious problems may occur if you do this incorrectly. Ensure you follow these steps correctly, and carefully.

Back up the registry before you modify it, then restore it if a problem occurs.

Follow these steps to manually reset the Windows Updates Components:

Right click Start
Select Command Prompt (Admin)

Click Yes when asked for permissions
Stop the BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update Services by typing the following commands at a command prompt:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Press Enter after each command you type
Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folder by typing the commands below in the Command Prompt then press Enter after each command you type:
Ren C:WindowssoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
Ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
Restart the BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update Services by typing the following commands in Command prompt:
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop cryptSvc
- net stop bits
- net stop msiserver
Type Exit in the Command Prompt to close it

Try running Windows Updates again to check if you manage to fix error 80070436 on your computer.

Note: It isn’t recommended to uncheck the Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows update option. Windows Updates downloads and installs updates required to run Windows efficiently.

If you get ‘Access Denied’ when trying this step, do the following:

Log in first as administrator or use administrator user account
Stop the windows Update service and try to rename SoftwareDistribution folder
Right click Start
Select Run

Type services.msc and press OK or enter

Scroll down and locate Windows Update service

Right click and select Properties

Stop the service
Follow the steps again to reset Windows Update Components

Once you complete the process, go to Services window again and start Windows Update service, then restart the computer.

Solution 6: Perform a System Restore

Here’s how to do this:

Perform a hard reset – turning on and off the PC – by pressing and holding the power button for 10 seconds.
While booting, turn off the computer once you see the Windows logo. Do this at least three times
After the third run, the Recovery Screen will display
Select Advanced Options

Select System Restore. Choose the restore point where the issue did NOT exist.

Note: This will remove recently installed apps, drivers, and updates that may cause problems to your PC, but it will not affect your personal files.