Fix Windows Update 0x80070002 Error When Upgrading to Windows 10 Version 1903

If you’re encountering the 0x80070002 error while trying to upgrade to Windows 10 version 1903, you’re not alone. This error can appear when attempting to install a feature update, and it can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are effective ways to troubleshoot and fix this issue, allowing you to upgrade your Windows 10 operating system without further hassles.

In this article, we’ll cover the common causes of the 0x80070002 error and provide easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to resolve it. Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or new to Windows, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn how to fix the 0x80070002 error and successfully install the Windows 10 version 1903 update.

What is Error 0x80070002?

When updating Windows 10 via Windows Update, you may encounter the 0x80070002 error, which prevents the update from being installed. This leaves you without new features and exposes your system to potential threats. The 0x80070002 error typically occurs when key update files or folders are missing from your system. This can happen due to corruption or accidental deletion of necessary files.

When this error occurs, you’ll see an error message like this:

“Windows could not search for new updates. An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer. Error(s) found: code 80070002. Windows Update encountered an unknown error.”

This message indicates that something is wrong with one of the files, and it may also occur while downloading or unpacking installation files.

What Causes Error 0x80070002?

There are several potential causes of the 0x80070002 error when updating Windows 10. Here are the most common reasons:

Missing or deleted files: Some essential files or folders required by Windows Update may be missing or accidentally deleted from your system.
Corruption of system files: Windows Update components or system files may become corrupted, leading to this error.
Outdated or broken update client: An outdated or malfunctioning version of the Windows Update client can trigger the 0x80070002 error.
Firewall or antivirus software: Certain antivirus programs or firewall settings may block the update process, causing this issue.
Insufficient disk space: If the system drive is running low on space, Windows Update might not be able to complete successfully.

Once you identify the potential cause, you can take steps to fix the 0x80070002 error.

How to Fix Error 0x80070002 in Windows 10

There are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the 0x80070002 error. Below is the first solution you should try:

1. Fix Your Date and Time Settings

An incorrect date and time can cause issues with updates, including the 0x80070002 error. Windows relies on accurate time and date settings for proper functioning, and if these are incorrect, the update process may fail.

To fix this:

Click on the Start menu and select the Settings icon. Alternatively, press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open Settings.
Select the Time & Language tab from the available options.

Switch to the Date & Time section on the left menu and ensure the settings are correct.
Enable Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically for accurate synchronization.
Click the Sync now button to synchronize your time settings.

After adjusting the settings, try running the Windows update again to see if the issue is resolved.

2. Restart the Windows Update Service

The Windows Update service is responsible for downloading and installing updates on your computer. If this service isn’t working properly, it can lead to errors like 0x80070002. To fix the issue, you’ll need to restart the Windows Update Service.

Here’s how to do it:

Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run utility.
Type “services.msc” and click OK to launch the Services window.

Scroll down and find the Windows Update service.
Right-click on the Windows Update service and select Restart from the context menu.

Wait for the service to restart, and then try updating Windows 10 again to see if the 0x80070002 error is resolved.

3. Delete the Contents of the SoftwareDistribution Folder

The SoftwareDistribution folder stores temporary update files used during the installation process. Sometimes, corrupted or outdated files get stuck in this folder, causing issues with Windows Update. To resolve this, you can delete the contents of the folder and try the update again.

Follow these steps:

Use the instructions from the previous step to access the Windows Update service. This time, right-click and select Stop to shut down the service.

After the service stops, open File Explorer using the taskbar or by pressing Windows + E.
Navigate to the C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution folder. If your Windows 10 is installed on a different drive, replace “C:” with the drive letter of your system partition.
Inside the SoftwareDistribution folder, open the Download folder.

Select all files by pressing Ctrl + A or using your mouse, then right-click and choose Delete, or press the Del key.

Once the folder is empty, restart the Windows Update service and try updating again.

After completing this, the update should proceed without the 0x80070002 error.

4. Check and Repair Your System Files

System files are critical components that allow your computer to function correctly. If these files become corrupted or missing, it can lead to errors like 0x80070002. To fix this, you can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan and repair any corrupt files automatically.

Here’s how to run the SFC scan:

Use the Search function in the taskbar and type “Command Prompt”.
From the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Make sure you’re logged in with an administrator account.

Click Yes when prompted to allow the Command Prompt to run with elevated permissions.
Once the Command Prompt is open, type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow

Wait for the System File Checker to scan your system files. This process may take several minutes, depending on your computer’s speed. If any issues are found, the tool will automatically repair them.
After the scan finishes, try running the Windows update again to check if the 0x80070002 error is resolved.

5. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes built-in troubleshooters designed to help diagnose and fix common issues. The Windows Update Troubleshooter is specifically created to detect and resolve problems with the Windows Update process.

Here’s how to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter:

Open the Search bar on your taskbar by clicking the magnifying glass icon, or press Windows + S on your keyboard.
Type “Control Panel” in the search box, and click on it when it appears in the results to open the application.

In the Control Panel, search for “Troubleshoot” in the top right input field, then click on the Troubleshooting header in the search results.

Click on the “View all” link in the left-side pane. This will take you to a page showing all available troubleshooters.

Scroll down and locate the “Windows Update” troubleshooter. Click on it, and wait for it to open in a new window.

Click Next to start the troubleshooting process. The troubleshooter will scan for issues and attempt to fix any problems it finds. At the end of the process, you’ll receive a detailed report.

Once the troubleshooter has completed, try running the Windows update again to see if the 0x80070002 error is resolved.

6. Run the CHKDSK Command

File system errors or bad sectors on your hard drive can cause various issues, including the 0x80070002 update error. These problems often occur when your computer crashes or files are deleted improperly. Fortunately, CHKDSK (CheckDisk) is a built-in tool in Windows that helps you detect and repair file system errors.

CHKDSK scans your hard drive for issues and fixes any bad sectors in the file system structure, similar to the SFC tool mentioned earlier. Here’s how to use it:

Open the Search function in your taskbar and search for “Command Prompt.”
Right-click on Command Prompt in the search results, and select “Run as administrator” (you’ll need an administrator account to do this).
Click Yes when prompted to confirm. The Command Prompt will open with elevated permissions.
Once the Command Prompt loads, type the following command and press Enter: chkdsk C: /r Note: If Windows is installed on a drive other than C, replace C with the letter of your system drive (for example, D: /r).
Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time depending on the size of your drive.

Once the process finishes, try running the Windows update again to see if the 0x80070002 error is resolved.

7. Turn Off Your Antivirus

Antivirus software is known to block certain processes, files, and services, and it may interfere with the Windows Update process, potentially causing the 0x80070002 error. If you suspect that your antivirus is preventing the update from completing successfully, you can try temporarily disabling it to see if it resolves the issue.

Most antivirus programs include a real-time protection feature, which can block Windows Update. Disabling this feature might solve the problem. If it doesn’t, you may need to temporarily turn off the entire antivirus program.

Here’s how to do it:

Open your antivirus program.
Find the real-time protection or shield setting and disable it.
If disabling real-time protection doesn’t work, turn off the entire antivirus program temporarily.
Try running Windows Update again.

Once you’ve completed the update, don’t forget to turn your antivirus back on to keep your system secure.

8. Perform the Update in Clean Boot

If none of the previous steps worked, performing a clean boot might help resolve the 0x80070002 error. A clean boot starts Windows with only the essential services and programs running, which can help you isolate any software conflicts that might be interfering with the update process.

Follow these steps to perform a clean boot:

Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run utility.
Type “msconfig” (without quotes) and press Enter to launch the System Configuration window.
Go to the Services tab.
Check the box for “Hide all Microsoft services”. This ensures you only see third-party services.

Click on Disable all to disable every third-party service on your device.

Click Apply and restart your computer. Your system will now boot with only essential Microsoft services running.

After your system restarts in a clean boot state, try running Windows Update again. If the error 0x80070002 doesn’t occur, then the issue is likely caused by one of the disabled third-party services.

9. Install the Update Manually

If all other solutions have failed, you can try installing the update manually by downloading the Windows 10 version 1903 update file and running it on your system. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the Microsoft Update Catalog in any web browser.
In the search bar in the top right, search for “KB4522355”, which is the update for Windows 10 version 1903.
Once the search results appear, download the appropriate version for your system by clicking on the Download button. Be sure to check that it’s compatible with your system’s architecture (e.g., 32-bit or 64-bit).

After the download finishes, run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to manually install the update.

This should bypass the issues with Windows Update and allow you to install the update successfully.

Conclusion

The feature update to Windows 10 version 1903 offers many improvements to your system, but it can also bring about errors such as 0x80070002. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to resolve this issue and successfully install the update. Be sure to try each of the methods listed above to identify which one works best for your specific situation.

By following the tips outlined in this guide, you can prevent further issues from occurring while updating your system. We hope this article has been helpful in resolving the 0x80070002 error and assisting you in getting your device up to date.

One more thing

If you’re in search of a software company that embodies integrity and upholds honest business practices, your quest ends here at Ecomkeys.com. As a Microsoft Certified Partner, we prioritize the trust and satisfaction of our customers. Our commitment to delivering reliable software products is unwavering, and our dedication to your experience extends far beyond the point of sale. At Ecomkeys.com, we provide a comprehensive 360-degree support system that accompanies you throughout your software journey. Your trust is our foundation, and we’re here to ensure that every interaction with us is a positive and trustworthy one.

Blog