How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80073712

Part 3: How to Fix Error Code 0x80073712

Whatever the reasons behind your computer's “Windows update 0x80073712'' are, they can be easily resolved quickly. Firstly, you should try to resolve this issue by applying basic troubleshooting methods. And, if there’s no luck in them, try the following solutions.

Way 1: Troubleshoot 0x80073712 Error via Antivirus Scan

Whenever any errors occur on the Windows, you're first supposed to run an Antivirus scan. The error code 0x80073712 when it finds missing or corrupt files in the update package; running an antivirus check will confirm if there’s any virus that damaged the files.

Download and install the antivirus on your computer if you haven’t already, and see if any error appears. In most of the cases, the errors are automatically fixed by the antivirus software. If you don’t want to install the Antivirus program, you can use the built-in Windows Defender.

Follow the steps below:

• Navigate to Settings and select Update & Security.
• Choose Windows Security, and click on Open Windows Security at the top.
• Click on Virus & Threat Protection, and choose to run a Quick Scan.

Way 2: Use SFC or DISM to Solve 0x80073712 Update Error

Another way to fix the Windows update error 0x80073712 is by repairing the damaged and corrupted files of the system. The SFC and DISM are the tools to use in Windows to check and fix the system files' integrity.

Both are different tools and can be used in the CMD. First, try the SFC (System File Checker). If it doesn’t work, then go for the DISM. Following are the steps for both:

• Go to the Start Menu and search for CMD.
• Right-click on it, and run it as an administrator.
• Type the sfc /scannow in the CMD and hit enter to execute it.

If SFC didn’t fix the issue, enter the following commands of DISM in the CMD:

• exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
• exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Way 3: Reinstall PC to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80073712

Windows 10 allows you to reinstall the Windows over the currently installed one. You can keep the files saved or deleted before performing the reinstallation process. However, the system fills will be replaced with the newer one, fixing the corrupt & missing files.

Follow the steps below to reinstall Windows:

• Navigate to Settings from the Start Menu, and select Update & Security.
• Select the Recovery from the left side.

• Under Reset This PC, click on Get Started and follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall the windows.

  

Way 4: Reconfigure Windows Update Service Status

Another potential reason for error code 0x80073712 can be the incorrect Windows update service status on your computer. This can be resolved easily by reconfiguring the window update service status with a single command.

You don’t have to do much; instead, open the cmd and simply enter some necessary commands to reconfigure the Windows update service status.

Here are the steps:

• Go to the Start Menu and search CMD.
• Right-click on it, select run as administrator and enter the commands in the command line interface.
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver
• Next, rename the two folders which store the Windows update files.
  • ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
  • ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
• Now, restart the Windows update by entering these two commands.
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start cryptSvc
  • net start bits
  • net start msiserver

Lastly, restart your computer, navigate to the update section, and see if the Windows update 0x80073712 has disappeared.

Way 5: Perform the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows also has a Windows Update Troubleshooter, merely built to fix the updated related issues in the system, including Windows update 0x80073712. This usually fixes the common problem on Windows and can also fix this error code 0x80073712.

In order to apply this solution, you need to turn on this feature on your computer. First, you need to turn it on, then run the troubleshooter to scan and repair the problems available in the system. Follow the steps below to learn how to perform Windows update troubleshooter:

• Press the Windows + I keys to launch the setting and select Update & Security.

  

• Select the Troubleshoot from the left side, and then click on Additional Troubleshooters.

  

• Click on Run the Troubleshooter under the Windows Update.

  
• It'll start scanning to locate the problem and fix it automatically.

Concluding Thoughts

Windows error code 80073712 can cause frustration when installing an important Windows update. Generally, the code 80073712 gets away with simple troubleshooting methods. However, you can try the advanced methods mentioned in this guide if it doesn't. If you’ve lost the data due to the code 80073712 while resetting the windows or for other reasons, 4DDiG Windows Data Recovery offers a one-click solution to recover all of your lost/deleted data within no time.

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William Bollson (senior editor)

William Bollson, the editor-in-chief of 4DDiG, devotes to providing the best solutions for Windows and Mac related issues, including data recovery, repair, error fixes.

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