How to Fix Windows 10 Update Error 0x80073701

Jun. 04, 2020 / Updated by Bessie Shaw to Windows 10

Recently, Microsoft has just released its August 2019 Patch Tuesday cumulative updates for Windows users. However, things did not go well. Some Windows 10 users are reporting update error 0x80073701 and 0x800f0982 when trying to install these cumulative updates such as KB4512508. And some even encountered the random reboot issue after installing the update. It's not the first time this has happened. If you are just facing these issues, don't worry too much. There are some methods you can try to resolve them by yourself. And here, you will be told how to fix Windows 10 update error 0x80073701. Read on to check it out.

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Method 1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

To address any issues related to Windows update like error 0x80073701, the first thing you can do is to run the Windows Update troubleshooter. This is the most common method. Take these steps:

Step 1. Type “Troubleshoot” into the search box and select Troubleshoot in the search results.

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Step 2. Locate Windows Update and click on it.

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Step 3. Select Run the troubleshooter. Then the troubleshooter will automatically detect the update issues and resolve them.

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Method 2. Run the Chkdsk Command

The system environment also takes an important role in the installation of Windows updates. Therefore, you’d better run the Chkdsk command to make sure that the file system is clean before you manipulate any files. This will help create a clean environment for the installation of the updates. And in some cases, this method may also help resolve update errors like error 0x80073701. To run the Chkdsk command, you need to:

Step 1. Type “command prompt” into the search box and right click Command Prompt in the search result to select Run as administrator.

Step 2. Type “Chkdsk volume: /f /r” into command prompt and hit Enter to run it.

See Also: How to Fix CHKDSK /F/R Not Working after Windows 10 Creators Update

Method 3. Run SFC to Detect Corrupted System Files

According to Microsoft, corrupted system files are largely to blame for the 0x80073701 error code. In this case, to get rid of Windows 10 update error 0x80073701, you can also try to detect corrupted system files by running the System File Checker. Follow the steps in this post: How to Fix Corrupted System Files with SFC /scannow in Windows.

Method 4. Reset the Windows Update Components

If the error code 0x80073701 still exists, try to reset the Windows update components by following the guide below.

Step 1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run box. Type “services.msc” into the box and hit Enter to run it.

Step 2. Locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service and right click it to select Stop.

Step 3. Locate Windows Update, right click it and also select Stop.

Step 4. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. Remove all the content in this folder.

Step 5. Right click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) to open the Windows PowerShell as administrator.

Step 6. Run the following commands in Windows PowerShell one by one:

  • net stop wuauserv

  • net stop cryptSvc

  • net stop bits

  • net stop msiserver

  • ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

  • net start wuauserv

  • net start cryptSvc

  • net start bits

  • net start msiserver

Step 7. Close the Windows PowerShell and reboot your computer.

Now you can try to reinstall the update to see if Windows 10 update error 0x80073701 is gone.

Hope these methods can help you troubleshoot Windows 10 update error 0x80073701. If you need further assistance, you can get to us by leaving comments below. For more solutions to other Windows update errors, such as error 0x8024a112, error 0x800f0900, error 0x8007007e and error 0x8024a105, you can visit the Windows 10 section on this site.

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