How to fix
Windows update error 0x80070032
on Windows

Hello. I tried to install the Windows update that was recently released but I could not. I received the 0x80070032 error. What can I do?

Windows is the most popular operating system. It offers a user-friendly interface, customization abilities, built-in troubleshooters, and many other functions. Microsoft regularly releases updates to add new functions and increase the security of the OS. That is why it is extremely important to install the updates as soon as they come out.[ref en-1]

However, quite often users face issues when trying to install Windows updates. Recently, people started seeing the 0x80070032 error. Users describe seeing this error code when trying to install the latest updates. While it is unknown why exactly this error appears, there are some general reasons this could be happening.

Windows updates can fail to install because of corrupted files, Windows update components, and services, outdated drivers, etc. In this guide, you will find 7 steps that should definitely help you take care of this problem. Users should fix update error issues immediately to not put their operating system at risk.

Manual troubleshooting can be a lengthy process, so you can also use a maintenance tool like [d1] to scan your machine. This powerful software can fix most system errors, BSODs,[ref en-2] corrupted files, and registry[ref en-3] issues. Otherwise, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Solution 1. Repair Corrupted System Files

Use Command Prompt commands to repair system file corruption:

• Open Command Prompt as administrator
• Use the following command and press Enter:
  sfc /scannow

• Reboot your system
• If SFC returned an error, then use the following command lines, pressing Enter after each:
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Solution 2. Run the Update Troubleshooter

• Press the Windows + X keys and go to Settings
• Go to Update and Security
• Click Troubleshooter
• Select Additional troubleshooters

• Run the Update troubleshooter
• Restart

Solution 3. Reset Windows Update Components

• Open Command Prompt as administrator again
• 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

• Restart your PC

Solution 4. Set Windows Services to Run Automatically

• Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box
• Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up an elevated Command Prompt
• If you’re prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes at the window
• Type the following commands and hit Enter after each one:

SC config trustedinstaller start=auto

SC config bits start=auto

SC config cryptsvc start=auto

• Perform a system reboot and check if the issue persists

Solution 5. Install the Update Manually

Whenever Windows updates fail to install automatically, you can always try doing it manually. First, you need to find out which KB number is relevant to you.

• Right-click Start button and pick Settings
• Go to Update & Security
• On the right, locate and click View update history

• From the list, note the KB number that fails to install with the error code
• Go to Microsoft Update Catalog page, type in the KB number and press Search

• Download the update and install it manually

Solution 6. Update Drivers

• In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager
• Select a category to see the names of devices, then right-click the one you’d like to update
• Select Search automatically for updated driver software
• Select Update Driver

• If Windows doesn't find a new driver, you can try using an automatic tool like [rev id="DriverFix"] which can find the best drivers for your system

Solution 7. Update via Media Creation Tool

• Download Windows 10 installation media from the official website
• Open the tool once it installed
• Agree to license terms
• Choose Upgrade this PC now

• Wait for the update to be installed