Error 0x80070003 in Windows 10

Windows 10 Error 0x80070003 occurs during the updates download and installation procedure.

Your computer might be failing at applying the updates due to one or more of the reasons stated below.

 

Terminate Windows Update Service

Windows Update Service has probably failed to check for new updates. If the service is already running but somehow failed to perform the operation, it might be because of a temporary glitch. Try stopping the service and then re-starting it.

1. Type Services in the Search box on the Taskbar.
2. Open it from the Search Results.
3. Scroll down the list of services that appear on your screen until you spot Windows Update.
4. Right-click it and choose Stop.
5. Right-click once again and this time select the Start option.

 

Use Windows Update Troubleshooter

If your computer is encountering 0x80070003 error while downloading and installing updates, there is definitely something wrong with the constituents of the Windows Update feature. The problem or anomaly won’t come to the fore until the Windows Update toolkit files are corrupted and Registry entries are overwritten. And both of these occurrences eventually lead to an error message. Try the Windows Update Troubleshooting utility.

1. Type Troubleshoot in the Search box on the Taskbar.
2. Open Troubleshooting from the Search Results.
3. Click System and Security category | Windows Update sub-category.

 

Remove Temp Update Files

Windows Update creates a temporary folder where temporary update files keep on piling up for months, if not years. Getting rid of them might help resolve the 0x80070003 error.

1. Click the File Explorer icon on the Taskbar.
2. Navigate to the following directory:
   > C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\
3. Delete all the contents from the following folders:
   > …\Data Store\
   > …\SoftwareDistribution\Download\

 

Verify Date-Time Settings

Make sure your computer’s Date and Time Settings are properly configured. If the automatic date and time sync displays incorrect date and time, manually configure it.

1. Type Date Time in the Search box on the Taskbar.
2. Open Change the Date and Time from Search Results.
3. Make sure the date and time is not synced with Microsoft’s servers. Move the Set time automatically slider to left in order to turn it off.
4. Click Change under Change Date and Time.
5. Set the appropriate date and time, and click Change.
6. Exit out of the Settings window.