How to fix
Windows update error 0x80070538
on Windows

I can't update Windows as usual - I receive an error 0x80070538. I tried restarting the PC several times and waited for almost a week, but the issue did not get resolved by itself. I'd appreciate any advice on how to deal with this situation.

Windows is a widely recognized and utilized operating system worldwide, renowned for its user-friendly interface and rich feature set. A critical aspect of maintaining the health and functionality of a Windows-based system is to ensure regular updates. These updates are necessary not just for introducing new features and improving performance but also for patching security vulnerabilities that could otherwise be exploited by malicious actors.

However, the process of updating Windows is not always smooth. Some users may encounter issues while attempting to install updates, resulting in a variety of error codes. One such issue is the Windows update error 0x80070538. This error can appear unexpectedly and prevent successful Windows updates, leading to potential performance issues and security risks.

The most common reason for the occurrence of the 0x80070538 error is a corrupt user profile. This typically involves a faulty Security Identifier (SID) entry in the Windows Registry. The SID is a unique identifier that Windows uses for various user accounts, and a corrupt or incorrectly assigned SID can lead to various problems, including update errors.

To address this, you can manually delete the faulty SID entry in the Registry Editor. It should be noted that the Registry Editor is a powerful tool, and improper use can lead to serious issues with your system. Therefore, it is essential to follow guidelines correctly and consider creating a system restore point before making changes to the registry.

There may also be other reasons behind the 0x80070538 error, such as corrupted system files or registries, incorrectly configured services or other underlying issues. The necessary solutions for these problems may vary, and comprehensive details and instructions for their resolution can be found below.

Despite the availability of these manual solutions, it is often recommended to use a reputable PC repair tool first. Software like the [d1] PC repair tool is specifically designed to diagnose and repair common Windows problems. It can resolve the underlying issues that might be causing this error in a much simpler and faster way, saving users the time and effort required to troubleshoot manually.

Method 1. Run the troubleshooter

This built-in utility in Windows diagnoses and automatically fixes common issues with Windows Update. It scans the system and rectifies any detected inconsistencies or problems that may be hindering the update process.

• Type troubleshoot in Windows search and hit Enter.
• Click Additional troubleshooters/Other troubleshooters.
• Find Windows update.
• Click on it, and select Run the troubleshooter/Run.
• Wait for the scan to be completed and apply the suggested fixes.

Method 2. Run SFC and DISM

The System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) are integral utilities in Windows. They help to repair corrupted system files and restore the health of the system image, which can subsequently resolve the 0x80070538 update error.

• Type cmd in Windows search.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
• When the User Account Control window pops up, click Yes.
• Use the following command and press Enter:
  sfc /scannow
• After the SFC scan is complete, use the following commands, pressing Enter after each:
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Restart your system.

Method 3. Delete the faulty SID entry in the Registry Editor

Most commonly, the issue could be caused by a corrupt user profile, typically caused by a faulty Security Identifier (SID) entry. Removing this entry can potentially solve the error by restoring the correct system configurations.

• Type regedit in Windows search and press Enter.
• When User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
• Click on File > Export and back up your registry database.
• Next, navigate to the following location:
  Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
• Under ProfileList, you'll see several folders named S-1-5 followed by a long number. These are the SIDs.
• Click on each S-1-5 folder, and in the right-hand pane, look for an ProfileImagePath entry.
• The value of ProfileImagePath will give you an idea of which user account it relates to.
• If you find one related to a corrupt user profile, right-click the corresponding S-1-5 folder and choose Delete.
• Confirm the deletion, close the Registry Editor, and restart your computer.

Method 4. Check relevant services

For Windows updates to run successfully, several services need to be operational. These include the Windows Update Service for managing updates, the Background Intelligent Transfer Service for handling network traffic, the Cryptographic Services for data authenticity, and the Workstation Service for facilitating network connections. You should either enable them or restart them as follows:

• Type in Services in Windows search and press Enter.
• Locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS).
• If it is already running, right-click and select Restart.
• if the service is not running, double-click it, select Automatic under the Startup type from the drop-down menu
• Click Start, Apply, and OK.
• Repeat the process for the other services mentioned above.

Method 5. Reset Windows update components

This method involves manually resetting the software distribution folders where Windows Update components are stored. Occasionally, these components may become corrupt or misconfigured, causing update errors.

• Open Command Prompt as administrator, as explained in the previous solution.
• Paste in each of these commands, pressing Enter every time:
  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 system.

Method 6. Use Media Creation Tool

The Media Creation Tool is an official utility from Microsoft that allows for the manual installation of Windows. By creating an installation media for Windows, you can bypass potential issues with the regular update process.  Make sure you uninstall any third-party security software to prevent interference during this process.

• Visit the official Microsoft website and download Windows 10 installation media (Windows 11 version).
• Double-click the installer and select Yes when UAC shows up.
• Agree to terms.
• Select Upgrade this PC now and click Next.
• Windows will start downloading the needed files.
• Agree to the terms once again and click Next.
• Before installing, make sure that you are happy with your choices (otherwise, you can click Change what to keep option).
• Finally, click Install to begin the upgrade process.