How to fix
Windows update error 0x80070246
on Windows

Hello. I cannot update my machine. The Windows update attempt is not running. I get the error message instead. The problem occurred a few times already. I need some help dealing with the Windows update error 0x80070246. Can you offer any solutions here?

This is the error closely related to various issues that occur while people try to upgrade the operating system. This is one of the many error codes that can appear when people try to install the upgrades like KB5015814 when it fails. The error can occur while downloading or installing these updates, and solutions can vary. The fix is important because the Patch Tuesday releases have updates and fixes for some of the issues with OS and upgrades.[ref en-1]

If you see the particular Windows update error 0x80070246 during the particular update/ installation of the OS, you can find more in-depth fixes in that article. We have covered a lot of the recent failed upgrades and operating installation errors on our site. The problem bothers many users, and over the past few months, these reports[ref en-2] have increased a lot.

People mainly get these errors and not other explanations. The issue can occur due to the missing files, so the update process fails because data can not be used for the proper installation procedure. The issue, however, can be solved by repairing these corrupted or damaged files on the machine.

It is possible with [d1] and tools that fix damaged system data. It is possible to fix the Windows update error 0x80070246 with the troubleshooting tool or another utility. However, this check for system damage and file corruption can improve performance significantly. It removes malware[ref en-3] leftovers and fixes problems with system processes too.

This is the issue that keeps people puzzled because there are no indications or details on the root cause, so make sure to check possible solutions and try to find the method that solves this failure of the update. This is the way to properly solve the issue, get back to normal running OS, and fix Windows update error 0x80070246. Follow the guide thoroughly and closely. 

1. Troubleshoot Windows Update issues

1. Type Troubleshooting in the search box and press Enter.
2. Or go to Settings > Update & Security.
3. Choose Troubleshooting.
   

   

4. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
   

   

   
   
5. From the list, click on Windows Update and follow the prompts for troubleshooting.

2. Manage Windows Update services

• Press Windows key+R to open Run.
• Then type services.msc.
• Press Enter to open the Services app.
  

  

  
  
• Double-click Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
• If the Startup status lists Stopped, click Start and then click OK.
  

  

• If the status is Running, right-click then select Restart.
• Double-click Windows Update.
• If the Startup status lists Stopped, click Start and then click OK.
• If the status is Running, right-click then select Restart.

3. Run SFC and DISM scan

1. Type cmd in Windows search.
   

   

2. Right-click on Command Prompt result and select Run as administrator.
3. Paste the following command into the new window:
   sfc /scannow
   

   

   
   
4. Press Enter and wait till the scan is finished.

4. Reset Windows Update components

• Open Command Prompt as administrator.
• Copy and paste the following commands, pressing Enter after each:
  net stop bits
  net stop wuauserv
  net stop appidsvc
  net stop cryptsvc
  Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\*.*”
  rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q
  rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q
  regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
  regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
  regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
  netsh winsock reset
  netsh winsock reset proxy
  net start bits
  net start wuauserv
  net start appidsvc
  net start cryptsvc
• Wait for the end of the processes and restart the machine.

5. Clear Windows Update cache

• Stop the service first.
• Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and click ok.
• Scroll down and locate the windows update service, right-click and select stop.
  

  

• Then press the keyboard shortcut Windows + D to minimize everything.
• Open Windows + E to open File Explorer.
• Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
• Here Delete all files & Folders inside the download folder.
• To do this, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A to select all then hit the Delete key.
• Again open the Windows services console using services.msc.
• Locate Windows update service, right-click and select start.