Error 0x80073701 Windows 10 Could Not Search For New Updates

Error 0x80073701 Windows 10 Could Not Search For New Updates

Error 0x80073701 windows 10 may appear not only in the Windows 10, but in earlier versions of windows 8 7 and server Series. This article will help you in resolve this issue permanently.

Why the error 0x80073701 appears?

Before going into the processor how to get rid of the "Error 0x80073701 Windows 10", it is better to understand the causes of Error 0x80073701 Windows 10. This will allow you to find the exact approach to solving the error.

1. The most well-known reason is the windows update . When a user installs an update, during this, or after the installation, a blue screen of death or just an error code 0x80073701 appears. The same code will be displayed in the update window.
2. There is another reason that takes place on server platforms (Windows Server). Here it happens during the installation of the Net Framework component or the server role.
3. Critical error in the client to upgrade the system. In other words, when you try to update, the code 0x80073701 may appear abruptly.
4. After installing certain games or programs that add some dynamic libraries and other components to the system.

Perhaps there are similar reasons for the error with this code. According to Microsoft, code 0x80073701 does not imply damage to the registry, virus infection, incompatibility of software or hardware, or hacking the system. This means that the search for a solution to the problem narrows a little.

Frequent reason is updates that were not fully uploaded, and when you try to download them again, some of the components are already in the system.

How to fix error code 0x80073701 windows 10?

Disposing Windows of this error is done in different ways, depending on the cause. For example, if the user has a system update service of the latest version, then this may also be the cause. For Windows 8 or 7, you can use the following link .


In the same place there is an instruction on an update of the agent of the updating center and links to downloading.

Remove Windows Updates

In this method, you are required to run few commands with administrative privileges. Open Run type CMD and opent the command prompt. Enter commands to disable some services. Then we delete the contents of the SoftwareDistribution catalog.

Enter the following commands:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits

net stop msiserver

Go to the system disk and find the directory named SoftwareDistribution and clear all the contents. 

Rename it to any name. Here you will need to re-enter some commands:

ren C: \ Windows \ SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old ren C: \ Windows \ System32 \ newSD NewSD.old

Where NewSD is a new folder name. Now enable previously disabled services.

• net start wuauserv
• net start cryptSvc
• net start bits
• net start msiserver

To make it work you need to restart the computer.

Check the date and time

This is a rare case, but it can cause the error 0x80073701. In any version of Windows, changing the date and time is very easy:

• Click the right mouse button on the time on the taskbar and select the item "Date and time settings" (For Windows 10).
• If the "Set time automatically" switch is on, and the time is incorrect, try setting the indicators manually.
• Restart the PC.

Use windows troubleshooter to troubleshoot error code  0x80073701

For Windows 7-10 there is a special utility that solves many problems. Windows update faults can also be fixed. For any version of Windows, you can download the Windows Update troubleshooting tool.

After launch, select the object that needs to be checked for errors, in our case, “Windows Update”. Click "Next".

Automatically program check system. A window may appear where you need to run the utility as an administrator. Choose this item.


If the problem is found, the assistant must solve it, otherwise a message appears that all is well.

This utility is useful on Windows 7 and 8. In the windows 10 there is a built-in tool that is located here:

Click Win + I to get into the system settings.
Click on the section "Updates and security."
In the left part of the window click on the subsection "Troubleshooting".
In the right part of the window we find the item “Windows Update”.

Now the error 0x80073701 should be eliminated, and if it is not, go ahead.

Restoring the integrity of system files

Using the command line, you can work wonders. In this method, we will use a utility that recovers damaged system files, provided they are present, of course.

• Open a command prompt with elevated privileges.
• Register the following: sfc / scannow .
• We are waiting for the end of the result.

For backup use another OS image recovery tool. It is necessary in the same command line to enter the following:

Dism / online / cleanup-image / restorehealth

Unfortunately, this team requires access to the Internet using the update center, and if there is a problem with it, then nothing will work. But there is one solution method - you should have a ready image of the operating system of the version that is on the computer. Transfer it to a convenient folder and copy the path. Now the command will look like this:

DISM.exe / Online / Cleanup-Image / RestoreHealth / Source: C: \ path-to-distribution \ Windows / LimitAccess

When done, restart the computer and use the sfc / scannow data integrity tool again.

If you could get rid of the error 0x80073701, post about it in the comments.