Error Code 0x80070002 in Windows [SOLVED]

Updating processes while working on your laptop or PC might be an entirely cumbersome task if errors like 0x80070002 or 80070002 are encountered. Sometimes also found in the form 0x80070003 or 80070003, these error codes happen to occur when updates for Windows cannot be installed or the process does not finish completely. Let’s make an attempt to fix this error by trying some of the very useful and easy steps as elucidated in this article.

How to Fix Error Code 0x80070002 in Windows

We enlist here some of the very useful ways you can go about fixing the error 0x80070002. The methods do not ensue in continuity, the solutions are mutually exclusive and independent to have you resolve the error. Thus, you need not check every method; just tune in to what you think might actually work for you. So here we go!

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Why does the error 0x80070002 occur?

The error code in consideration might, at face, appear differently in different versions of Windows. For example, Windows XP finds it as 0x80070002 while Windows 10/8/7 face it as 80070002. This error usually occurs when some files in the Windows Update are found missing or corrupted, or due to a faulty driver. Even if the update is downloaded and extracted successfully you might get this error issue.

Method 1: Check the Date and Time settings 

How can a solution sound so unbelievably smooth and easy? But yes, here it is! This is how many users of the Windows have happened to fix this error code. Incorrect time and date settings can be one of the major reasons that hinder the Windows updating process. In order to proceed with such an update, time of your Windows computer should synchronize with the internet server time.

If you are using Windows 7/8:

1) Click the Date and Time button at bottom right corner of the screen and click Change date and time settings.

2) Click Change date and time to make sure that the date and time are correct on your Windows computer. Click OK.

3) Ensure to check the time zone you are using is correct. To change, click on Change time zone. Click OK to proceed.

4) Click the Internet Time tab at the top, then click Change Settings button.

5) Ensure to have ticked the checkbox next to Synchronize with an Internet time server. Click Update now.

6) Press OK button to finish the settings.

7) Restart your computer and try performing Windows Update again.

In case you are a Windows 10 user, date and time settings can easily be checked using Command Prompt.

1) Type “cmd” in search box, and right click on Command Prompt search result to click Run as administrator from the contextual menu. Now click “Yes”.

2) Type timedate, and w32tm/resync in the same sequence in the window, and press Enter after each command. If the time and date are incorrect even after the commands have run, you can type manually the correct time and date in the window and press Enter.

3) Re-start your computer after you are done executing all the commands, and initiate the Windows Update process again.

Method 2: Modify the Windows Update installation files 

Sometimes, because of the failure of system update processes, the Windows Update installation files either go missing or corrupted leading to the occurrence of error 0x80070002. To counter this you can try deleting the installation files or rename the installation folder to solve the problem.

Before modification of the filename or folder name takes place, you may need to stop the Windows Update service first. This will close the files or folders which might be open in some programs which could disapprove changing names. Let’s follow the steps below:

Step 1: Disable the Windows Update service

1) Press Windows key + R in order to invoke the Run box.

2) Type services.msc, and click OK.

3) Double click on Windows Update (if you are using Windows XP, double click Automatic Updates).

4) Change the Startup type to Automatic, and click Start in the Service status section. Click Apply. Press OK button to save the changed properties.

5) Restart the PC and try doing the Windows Update again to see if it works.

Step 2: Delete the Software Distribution Folder

1) Open the drive where Windows has been installed in your system. Generally, it is installed in drive C.

2) Go to Windows > SoftwareDistribution.

3) Delete the folder named SoftwareDistribution.

In case you do not want to delete this folder, rename it as SoftwareDistributionOld.

4) Close all the panes.

Step 3: Re-enable the Windows Update service

1) Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run box.

2) Type services.msc, and click OK.

3) Right click Windows Update (if you are using Windows XP, right click on Automatic Updates), and click Start.

4) Restart the PC and try doing the Windows Update again to see if it works.

Method 3: Try Windows Update Troubleshooter 

Troubleshooting the problems in Windows allows you to fix the problems with ease. The Windows Update Troubleshooter is a service one can resort to in the first place after encountering various computer issues. Rapid fix by troubleshooter is possible by its ability to quickly diagnose and automatically resolve them. For this:

1) Download the troubleshooter from Microsoft.

2) Run the downloaded file.

3) Click Windows Update, and click Next.

The troubleshooter revamps the Windows issues while it runs. Post it’s run, restarting the PC and trying again to install Windows Update is advocated.

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Final Words

We have attempted to enlist in detail the most common and trusted methods for fixing 0x80070002 error code in Windows Update. Let us know how they worked for you. If the error code still persists, we will be more than glad to assist you further. Feel free to comment below.