How to fix Windows Update error 80073701

by Matthew Adams

Windows & Software Expert

Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it. He is passionate about the...

Posted at: March 25 2021

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The Windows update error 0x80073701 is one that occurs in Windows 10 and earlier platforms. That is an error that blocks Microsoft’s cumulative updates.

Thus, users can’t update Windows when the issue arises. There is no specific official resolution for error 0x80073701 as of yet even though Microsoft has acknowledged the error code.

However, these are a few resolutions that might fix update error 0x80073701 more specifically in Windows 10.

How can I fix Windows Update error 80073701?

1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
2. Run Deployment Image Servicing and System File Scans
3. Restart Windows Update Service
4. Windows Update Components
5. Check the Date and Time Setting

1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

• Input the word troubleshoot in the home screen search box and click Troubleshoot to open Settings.

• Select Windows Update and press its Run the troubleshooter button to open the window below.

• The troubleshooter might then provide some resolutions. You can press the Apply this fix button to apply a suggested resolution.

The Windows Update troubleshooter is a built-in system tool for fixing Windows update bugs. So that might come in handy for fixing error 0x80073701.

It was reported that upon running this tool, it managed to fix some bugs, but ended in displaying another error: The requested service has already been started. More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2182.

We’ve covered this issue in a different article. Some of the solutions presented there also apply to the 0x80073701 stop code.

2. Run Deployment Image Servicing and System File Scans

• Click the Cortana taskbar button to open that app.
• Enter the keyword ‘Command Prompt’ in the search box.
• Right-click the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator to open the Prompt’s window.

• You can run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management utility by entering the following command and pressing Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
• Enter and press Enter to initiate the SFC scan: sfc /scannow
• Wait for about half an hour until the process finishes.

• Then restart Windows if the SFC scan does repair files.

Error 0x80073701 might be due to corrupted system files. This is why we recommend utilizing the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool to repair the wim.store. The System File Checker also repairs corrupted system files.

3. Restart Windows Update Service

• Launch Run with the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut.
• Enter services in Run and click OK.

• Scroll down to Windows Update on the Services window.
• Double-click Windows Update.

• Press the Stop button on the window, and click OK to close the window.
• The right-click Windows Update and select Start to restart it.

Can’t connect to the Windows Update Service? Check out this guide to fix the issue!

4. Reset Windows Update Components

• Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Then enter the following commands in the Prompt separately:
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver
• Next, rename the SoftwareDistribution folder by entering this command + Enter: ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
• Then, input this to rename the Catroot2 folder to Catroot2.old and press Enter: ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
• Then enter this to edit the SoftwareDistrbution folder title: C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
• Restart the stopped services by entering the following commands:
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start cryptSvc
  • net start bits
  • net start msiserver
• Then exit the Command Prompt window, and restart your desktop and laptop.

Resetting Windows Update components will restore them to their default values. So this resolution is certainly worth a shot.

5. Check the Date and Time Settings

• Click the Type here to search button, and enter date in the search box.
• Select Date & time settings to open the window shown directly below.

• Select a time zone on the Time zone drop-down menu if required.
• You can also toggle the Set the time automatically option off and press the Change button to manually adjust the date and time.

• Alternatively, you can synchronize the clock with server by clicking Add clocks for different time zones.
• Select the Internet Time tab, and press the Change settings button.
• Then you can select the Synchronize with an internet time server checkbox and select a server from the drop-down menu. Click the Update Now button.

• Then press the OK button to close the window.
• Press the Apply and OK buttons.

Error 80073701 can also be due to date and time settings in Windows 10. So, make sure that Windows 10’s date and time are correctly set.

Some of those resolutions might fix error 0x80073701. Additionally, the resolutions in this post can also fix Windows update errors.

If this article was helpful, drop us a line telling us about your experience with the step that you used to get your device back on track.