Error Code 0x80070003 Windows 10: Technical Tips To Fix Windows Update Problems
According to a majority of customers, they are getting the error code 0x80070003 while upgrading to Windows 10. This kind of problem usually occurs when some important components in the Windows Updates are missing. Also, there are cases when the users experience error code 0x80070003 Windows 10 due to corrupted files in the downloaded updates.
Many Windows professionals have also observed that this error can hit your machine due to software related problems. This includes installation of any third-party software or Windows Firewall which can interrupt the Windows Update. You can come across Windows update error code 0x80070003 if your device doesn’t have enough RAM in it.
Also, check whether the disk drive is having sufficient storage space while downloading or installing Windows Update. As the error code 0x80070003 can pop up due to lack of free memory in your Windows 10 based system.
So, if you are looking for technical solutions to resolve this Windows Update error, keep reading this article. Here, you will get to learn how to fix 0x80070003 error code by following step-wise guidance.
Consider these Solutions to Resolve Windows 10 Error Code 0x80070003:
If you are getting this annoying error code 0x80070003 Windows 10, then there are a few methods to resolve it. So, let’s take a look at some of the effective ways to troubleshoot this Windows Update error.
Solution 1- Set Correct Date and Time on your Device
Many users have observed that the error 0x80070003 can occur if the date and time settings are incorrect. Hence, if you want to fix this issue in Windows, check whether the time and date format are properly set.
For Windows 10 Users
If you want to resolve error code 0x80070003 on Windows 10, you can apply the following steps.
First, go to the Desktop screen and locate the Time and Date section on the lower-right corner. Now, right-click on this portion and choose the ‘Adjust date/time’ option.
As the ‘Settings’ window opens on your screen, you can check the time, date, or time zone selected on Windows 10. If the values are incorrect, simply click on the toggle button for ‘Set time automatically’ to make the changes. Also, hit the tab for ‘Set time zone automatically’ for ensuring that your Windows is maintaining the correct format.
Next, you can select the ‘Change’ button under the heading ‘Change date and time’. Otherwise, choose the Time zone from the list of options and reboot your system.
Hopefully, this will help to fix the 0x80070003 error code while applying the Windows Update.
For Older Versions of Windows
The Windows Update error code 0x80070003 can occur even in versions below Windows 10. So, if you are using Windows 7, Vista or any other older Windows OS, try the following instructions.
At first, navigate to the lower-right corner of the screen and click on the Date/Time format. Then select the link for “Change date and time settings…’ and make the changes, if it is not set correctly. Here, you can hit the ‘Change date and time…’ tab or ‘Change time zone…’ below the ‘Date and Time’ section.
Now, restart your Windows-based computer and run Windows Update to see if error 0x80070003 appears again.
Solution 2- Use System File Checker to Scan Windows
Sometimes, the accumulation of corrupted files for a long time can result in the occurrence of error 0x80070003. Hence, the best possible way to deal with this problem is to launch the built-in SFC tool in Windows.
So, to apply this fix, open the Search box on Windows and write ‘cmd’ in it. Then choose the ‘Command Prompt’ option and right-click on it. After that, click on ‘Run as Administrator’ and confirm this step by clicking on the ‘Yes’ button.
Otherwise, you can open the Run dialog box by hitting the tabs for ‘Windows logo’ and ‘R’. Then type ‘cmd’ and follow the above step. Once, the command prompt window appears on your computer’s display, write the command ‘sfc /scannow.’
Now, hit the ‘Enter’ key and wait for Windows to scan the system and complete the task. If it detects any error or components regarding 0x80070003, it will be resolved automatically. But, if it doesn’t fix the Windows Update error, you need to try the remaining fixes.
Solution 3- Restart Automatic Windows Update Service
Often, running the Windows Update service automatically can trigger the error code 0x80070003 in Windows. This is why you need to restart this service and make some modifications with the SoftwareDistribution folder.
So, first of all, click on the Windows Start menu and type ‘command’ in the Cortana search box. Then select ‘Command Prompt’, right-click on it and choose the ‘Run as administrator’ option. Also, allow the app to make changes to your PC by clicking on the ‘Yes’ button.
Next, go to the Command Prompt window and write ‘net stop wuauserv’. As you press the ‘Enter’ button, this will immediately stop the Windows Update service. After this, type the command ‘ren c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old’ in the next line and hit the ‘Enter’ tab. This will change the name of this folder and make it SoftwareDistribution.old.
Now, go to the Command prompt screen and write the command ‘net start wuauserv’. Then hit the ‘Enter’ button and it will relaunch the Windows Update service on your system.
You can now click on the ‘Windows Update’ tab to see if the 0x80070003 error code is resolved. In case, the issue persists, move on to the next solution for resolving the Windows Update error.
Solution 4- Make Use of Windows Update Troubleshooter
If you can’t troubleshoot error code 0x80070003 by applying the previous methods, try to run the built-in troubleshooter in Windows 10. Sometimes, running this tool can fix the issues that are responsible for failing the Windows Update.
To try out this solution, click on the Windows Start button on the screen’s bottom-left corner. Then choose the ‘Settings’ feature and then go to the ‘Update & Security’ tab.
Below the ‘Update & Security’ heading on the left pane, locate the ‘Troubleshoot’ option and click on it. Then move to the ‘Troubleshoot’ section on the expanded view on the right pane and scroll down to ‘Windows Update’.
After selecting the icon for updating Windows, click on the ‘Run the troubleshooter’ tab. Hopefully, running this tool will troubleshoot the Windows Update errors including 0x80070003.
Solution 5- Erase the Entire DataStore Folder
In one of the above solutions, you have used the Command Prompt application to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder. But, if doing so doesn’t resolve this Windows Update error, you might have to delete a certain folder in it.
So, to apply this fix, you have to open the Windows File Explorer window and locate the C: drive. You need to access this drive by double-clicking on it and then go to the Windows folder.
Within this folder, find the ‘SoftwareDistribution’ folder and open it with a double-click. Then navigate to the ‘DataStore’ folder and remove the files and folders from it.
After deleting the files, click on the ‘Windows Update’ tab and check if it’s running without the occurrence of error code 0x80070003.
In case, the error persists and none of the solutions discussed in this article works, you need to call the experts. Hence, consult a certified professional and obtain troubleshooting methods for error code 0x80070003 Windows 10.