Main cause of this error:
As confirmed by Microsoft, The BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service), a service that is responsible for configuring and installing Windows update causes this error code when it fails to start properly. Basically, error 0x80070003 during update installation indicates that Windows is encountering difficulties in locating the necessary files to properly apply the update, potentially due to issues with file paths or references.
Other reported causes of this error:
After we’ve investigated this particular issue thoroughly, it turns out that there are actually several different underlying causes that might end up causing this error code. Here’s a shortlist of culprits: Now that we went over every potential scenario that might end up causing the 0x80070003 error in your case, let’s go over each verified fix in order until you find the method that’s effective in your case.
1. Reset the BITS Service Configuration
As this issue is mainly caused by BITS service failing to start, it indicates that the BITS service is misconfigured. To resolve this issue, we are going to reset the BITS service and it’s configurations to default by following the instructions provided by Microsoft. Follow these steps:
2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Windows Update Troubleshooter, is designed to automatically identify and fix common Windows Update problems. If you haven’t tried this method yet, follow the instructions below to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter and apply the recommended fix automatically: If the Windows Update still fails to install with the same 0x80070003, move down to the next method below.
3. Clear the DataStore Folder
In case the same issue is still occurring, move down to the next method below.
4. Restart the main Windows Update Service
If the same kind of error is still occurring, move down to the next method below.
5. Reset the Windows Update component
If the same kind of issue is still occurring, move down to the next method below.
6. Install the pending update manually
If the issue is still not fixed as you’re seeing the 0x80070003 even when attempting to install the pending update using the Microsoft Update Catalog, move down to the next method below.
7. Bring Your Windows up to date using Windows Update Assistant
If the steps above we’re interrupted at some point by the 0x80070003 error (or a different one), try the next method below.
8. Bring Your Windows up to date using Media Creation Tool
If you’re still experiencing the 0x80070003 error during the updating process or something else interrupts the upgrading, move down to the next method below.
9. Deploy SFC and DISM Scans
Begin with a basic SFC scan. Note: Keep in mind that this tool only works locally and won’t require an internet connection. After the SFC scan is complete, reboot your computer and check if the issue has been fixed once the startup is finished. If you’re still seeing the 0x80070003 error when trying to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter, try running a DISM scan next and follow the on-screen prompts to finish up. Important: One key difference between SFC and DISM is that DISM uses a sub-component of Windows Update to download healthy equivalents of any corrupted system files it finds. Because of this, you need to make sure you have a stable internet connection before beginning this operation. After the DISM scan is successful, restart your computer once again and see if that has fixed the 0x80070003 error. If not, move on to the next potential fix below.”
10. Deploy a Clean Install or Repair install
If you haven’t had any success so far, it’s likely because you’re dealing with some kind of inconsistency that can’t be fixed in a conventional way. There are two available options:
Repair install (in-place repair) – This procedure only touches your system files and leaves everything else intact. This should be your first approach if you have essential personal data that you can’t afford to lose. But keep in mind that you’ll need compatible installation media.Clean install – This is the easiest procedure out of the bunch. You can deploy this operation without compatible installation media, but keep in mind that you’ll lose any personal files, documents, and media present on the operating system partition.
