How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80073712 in Windows 11 and 10

Windows Update error 0x80073712 usually appears when Windows cannot install an update because a required system file, update package, or component store file is damaged or missing. In many cases, you can fix it by running DISM, SFC, and then resetting Windows Update components.

Quick Answer

To fix Windows Update error 0x80073712: open Command Prompt as administrator, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, then run sfc /scannow, restart the PC, and try Windows Update again. If the error remains, reset the Windows Update services and cache folders.

Problem

You may see Windows Update error 0x80073712 while installing cumulative updates, security updates, feature updates, or .NET updates in Windows 11 or Windows 10.

The message may appear as:

• 0x80073712
• Some update files are missing or have problems
• ERROR_SXS_COMPONENT_STORE_CORRUPT

This does not always mean the update itself is broken. More often, Windows cannot read or verify files already stored on your system.

Cause

Error 0x80073712 commonly points to corruption in the Windows component store, also known as WinSxS. Windows Update depends on this store to install, repair, and roll back system components.

Prerequisites

• Use an administrator account.
• Keep the PC plugged in if it is a laptop.
• Make sure you have a stable internet connection.
• Temporarily pause third-party antivirus only if it interferes with update repair tools.
• Create a restore point if the system is used for work or production tasks.

Step-by-step Solution

1. Restart Windows and try the update again

Start with a normal restart, not shutdown. Windows may have pending update actions that only complete during restart.

1. Click Start.
2. Select Power.
3. Click Restart.
4. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
5. Click Check for updates.

2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

The troubleshooter can repair basic service registration and update database problems.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Find Windows Update.
4. Click Run.
5. Apply any recommended fix and restart.

On Windows 10, use Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.

3. Repair the Windows image with DISM

DISM checks and repairs the Windows component store. This is the most important step for Windows Update error 0x80073712.

1. Right-click Start.
2. Open Terminal (Admin), Windows PowerShell (Admin), or Command Prompt (Admin).
3. Run this command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait until it reaches 100%. It can pause for several minutes at certain percentages, which is normal.

4. Run System File Checker

After DISM repairs the component store, run SFC to repair protected Windows system files.

sfc /scannow

When the scan finishes, restart your PC and try Windows Update again.

5. Reset Windows Update components manually

If the error continues, clear the Windows Update download cache and restart update services.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands one by one:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Restart the computer, then check for updates again. Windows will recreate the renamed folders automatically.

6. Install the update manually from Microsoft Update Catalog

If one specific update keeps failing, install it manually.

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history.
2. Copy the failed update number, such as KB503xxxx.
3. Open the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
4. Search for the KB number.
5. Download the correct package for your Windows version and system type.
6. Run the installer and restart.

7. Use an in-place repair upgrade if nothing else works

If DISM, SFC, and the update reset do not fix the issue, perform an in-place repair upgrade. This reinstalls Windows system files while keeping your apps and personal files.

1. Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
2. Run the tool.
3. Choose the option to keep personal files and apps.
4. Follow the setup steps.

Important: Back up important files before any repair upgrade. The process is designed to keep data, but a backup is still the safer choice.

Examples

Example 1: Standard repair sequence

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

Use this when Windows Update error 0x80073712 appears after a failed cumulative update.

Example 2: Reset only the update cache

net stop wuauserv
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
net start wuauserv

This is useful when updates download but fail during installation.

Common Causes

• A previous update was interrupted.
• The PC was powered off during update installation.
• System files were modified by cleanup tools or third-party utilities.
• The Windows Update cache contains incomplete downloads.
• The component store has missing or corrupt manifests.

Common Mistakes

• Running SFC before DISM every time: SFC is useful, but DISM should repair the component store first when 0x80073712 appears.
• Deleting WinSxS manually: Never manually delete files from the WinSxS folder.
• Interrupting DISM: Let the command finish, even if it appears stuck for a while.
• Using random registry fixes: Registry edits rarely fix this error and can make recovery harder.

Best Practices

• Restart Windows before and after update repair commands.
• Keep at least 15 to 20 GB of free disk space for major updates.
• Use Microsoft repair tools before third-party cleanup software.
• Install servicing stack or cumulative updates when they become available.
• Back up important files before an in-place repair upgrade.

Verification

After applying the fix, verify that Windows Update works correctly:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Confirm that the failed update installs successfully.
5. Open Update history and check that the KB number is listed under successfully installed updates.

You can also confirm system file health by running:

sfc /scannow

If it says Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations, the repaired system files are healthy.