Windows Update Error 0x80073701 is shown whenever Windows fails to connect to the update server. Learn what causes this error and how to fix it effectively.
Windows updates are critical to installing as it protects the system from malicious attacks. Consequently, Windows update errors are getting more common.
It can cause the malfunctioning of applications, software, and even operating system. However, many users are not aware of how to fix these errors.
Windows cannot be updated until this error is resolved. This is a complete step-by-step guide on how to fix Windows Update Error 0x80073701.
What is Windows Update error 0x80073701?
Error 0x80073701 occurs when the user is updating Windows. The error is “error_sxs_assembly_missing”, which means that some system files are missing, resulting in Windows update failure.
When trying to install an update from the Windows Update, the user might receive “Updated Failed. There are some problems installing some updates, but we will try again later” with Error: 0x80073701”.
What Causes Windows Update Error 0x80073701?
Windows update error 0x80073701 is a common issue that occurs while updating Windows. There are a few reasons that can cause this error. The error indicates that the Windows update client cannot find some files. There are different causes for the error 0x80073701:
- Damaged or Corrupted system files
- Malfunctioning of Windows Update services
- Application Interference
- Problematic Windows update component
- Network connection issue
How Do I Fix Windows Update Error Code 0x80073701?
There are a number of solutions that can try to fix error 0x80073701.
- Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
- Use DISM (Deployment Image Servicing)
- Run System File Checker (SFC)
- Reset Windows update component
- Reset the Winsock component
- Restart Windows Update Service
- Renew your IP
- Reset Host file
- Manually Download and Install the update
1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
Windows Update troubleshooter is a built-in tool that helps fix common Windows update errors. It may not resolve every issue with updates, but it can fix many of them.
- Select Start and click on Settings. Alternatively, press Windows Key + I to open the “Settings” application.
- In the settings menu, click on the Update and Security categories. If you are running Windows 11, go to “Settings -> System” instead.
- From the left panel, click on Troubleshoot.
- Go to the right and select Additional Troubleshooters.
- Select Windows Update and then click on Run the troubleshooter button.
This process will automatically scan and detect problems within the operating system. It will take a couple of minutes to complete. The user will get notified if the troubleshooter finds and fixes any problem.
2. Use DISM (Deployment Image Servicing)
Deployment Imaging Service and Management (DISM) is a command line tool to manage Windows images. Running DISM can fix corrupted files in the operating system.
- Type Command Prompt in the Windows search bar and right-click the best-matched one.
- Right Click on the command prompt and run it as administrator.
Alternatively, Press Windows Key + R on the keyboard, then type cmd. and hold control+shift and hit Enter.
- Once the elevated command prompt opens, type the following command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
3. Run System File Checker (SFC)
System files checker (SFC) is a tool in Windows that allows users to scan, detect and repair corrupted Windows system files. It is an easy-to-use command utility that can restore the corrupted files that cause system software errors.
- Open Command Prompt and type the following command:
sfc /scannow
- Press Enter to execute the command.
Once the process completes, restart the computer and try installing the Windows update
4. Reset Windows update component
If you are still experiencing windows error 0x8007301, then you will have to reset windows update components.
You will have to execute some commands to clear the Windows Distribution folder, which is where windows stores temporary files needed for updates.
- Open the Command Prompt with admin access. Type the following commands by hitting enter after each one.
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptSvc
net stop msiserver
- The Windows update service has now been stopped.
- Now, open File Explorer. Navigate to the following path and Delete all the files in this folder.
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
- Now, launch the Command Prompt window. Execute the following commands and press Enter to restore the previously deleted services.
net start wuauserv
net start bits
net start cryptSvc
net start msiserver
After you have restored the Windows Update components, try updating Windows.
5. Reset the Winsock component
The error could’ve been displayed by the Windows Update client as a result of a connection issue brought on by a malfunctioning Winsock component.
Numerous apps rely on the Winsock (Windows Socket) component, which is a dynamic link library file that contains network parameters, to connect to the internet.
The file on your computer could have been corrupted by malicious scripts, and it’s likely that it now has the incorrect configurations.
Resetting the Winsock component will fix these problems and restore your system’s default configuration.
- Run the Command Prompt. Type the following command and hit Enter.
netsh winsock reset
- Windows will now reset the DLL file and clear the Winsock components.
Restart your computer and try installing the update.
6. Restart Windows Update Service
Restarting the windows update service might fix error 0x80073701. Follow these instructions to restart the Windows Update service automatically.
- Press Windows Key + R to launch Run. Type services.msc and click OK or press Enter.
- Double-click on the service that says Windows Update.
- Press the Stop button on the window, and hit OK to close the window. If the button is grayed out, the service is already stopped.
- After the service is stopped, select Start to restart it. Now, the service has started. Click on OK or press Enter.
7. Renew your IP
An expired DHCP IP address might be the reason for Windows update failure since a network connection issue can cause the error.
Each IP address that a router assigns to a device has a lease period. The router reassigns the IP address to another device if the device does not use the IP address within the duration of the lease.
You must give up your present IP address and obtain a new one in order to provide your system with a new one.
- Run the Command Prompt with admin access and execute the following command.
ipconfig/release
- This will disconnect your internet connection. To renew your IP address type the following command and hit Enter.
ipconfig/release
8. Reset the Host file
An important network component is your Hosts file. It is a text file that facilitates the matching of hostnames to IP addresses.
The network connection of the computer gets affected when the file gets corrupted or has incorrect settings.
The Hosts file may be the cause of the Windows Update problem. The network connection issue can be fixed in this situation by restoring the file to its default state.
- In the windows search bar, type Notepad.
- Right click on the Notepad app and run it as administrator.
- In Notepad, Navigate to File then click on Open. Alternativity, press Ctrl+O key shortcut.
- Navigate to the folder: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
- Double-click the host file.
- Select all the file contents (Ctrl+A) and delete them (press Del).
- Paste the following:
# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a ‘#’ symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host
# localhost name resolution is handle within DNS itself.
# 127.0.0.1 localhost
# ::1 localhost
- Navigate to the File menu and press Save (Ctrl+S)
9. Manually Download and Install the update
If you’re still having trouble updating your computer, see if you can manually download and install the most recent updates.
Use the media creation tool if you’re looking to download a feature update. Microsoft’s Update Assistant can help you to update on the latest version of Windows 10.
- Go to Download Windows 10 Update in your preferred web browser. Select the Update now option by clicking or tapping on it.
- Run the setup and click on Update Now.
Within a few seconds, the Windows 10 Update Assistant will automatically download and install the most recent version.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to download the most recent security updates, head over to Microsoft’s Update Catalog page.
- First, in the settings window, click on Update and Security.
- Navigate to Windows Update in the left pane. Click on View Update History.
- You can find the Knowledge Base (KB) number in the most recent update.
- Go to Microsoft Catalog in your preferred web browser. In the search window, type the KB update number and click Search.
- Click Download next to your KB number and run the package.
- Windows will now manually search and install the update.
