How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070002

By Alex Rivera Jul 5, 2026 7 min read Windows

Windows Update error 0x80070002 typically appears when the update service cannot locate the necessary files. This is one of the most common Windows Update errors reported on Microsoft forums and Reddit. Here is how to fix it.

What Causes Error 0x80070002?

This error usually means corrupted update cache files or incorrect system time. The Windows Update service downloads files to the SoftwareDistribution folder, and if these get corrupted, the update fails with this code. Incorrect date and time settings can also trigger this error.

Fix 1: Clear the SoftwareDistribution Folder

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands to stop update services and clear the cache:

net stop wuauserv - Stops Windows Update service
net stop cryptSvc - Stops cryptographic service
net stop bits - Stops Background Intelligent Transfer Service
net stop msiserver - Stops Windows Installer

Then navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete all contents. Restart the services by running net start wuauserv, net start cryptSvc, net start bits, and net start msiserver. Run Windows Update again.

Fix 2: Check System Date and Time

Incorrect system time can cause error 0x80070002. Right-click the clock in your taskbar and select Adjust date/time. Turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically. If the time is still wrong, turn off automatic settings, set the correct time manually, then turn automatic settings back on.

Fix 3: Run SFC and DISM Scans

Corrupted system files can cause this error. Run SFC /SCANNOW in Command Prompt as administrator to repair system files. Then run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair the system image. Restart your computer and try updating again.

Fix 4: Reset Windows Update Components

Download the Windows Update Troubleshooter from Microsoft official website and run it. This tool automatically resets update components and fixes common issues. If that fails, use the Windows Update Reset script available on Microsoft GitHub page.