HOW CAN I FIX ERROR 0X80073712 DURING WIN 11 UPDATE?

Question

HOW CAN I FIX ERROR 0X80073712 DURING WIN 11 UPDATE?

RICK EADS 5

UPDATE ERROR 0X80073712 ON VER 25H2 HOW DO I FIX THE ERROR?

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2 answers

Answer 1

Error 0x80073712 indicates that Windows Update is failing because some update files or components are missing or corrupted. On Windows 11 version 25H2, use the following steps in order:

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
1. Select Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Under Most frequent / Get up and running, select Windows Update > Run.
3. Let it complete, then restart the PC.
4. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and try the update again.
Reset Windows Update components
1. In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt.
2. Select Run as administrator, then Yes.
3. Run these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each and waiting for completion:
```
      net stop bits
      net stop wuauserv
      ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak
      ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
      net start bits
      net start wuauserv
```
4. Restart the PC and run Check for updates again.
Repair system files and the Windows image
1. Open Command Prompt as administrator again.
2. Run:
```
      DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
```
  Wait for the message that the operation completed successfully.
3. Then run:
```
      sfc /scannow
```
  Wait until verification reaches 100%.
4. After both commands complete, try Windows Update again.
Check disk and repair drive errors
1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Run:
```
      chkdsk /f C:
```
3. When prompted, allow it to schedule on next restart, then restart the PC so repairs can run.
4. After restart, run Check for updates again.
Temporarily remove third‑party security software
1. Uninstall any non‑Microsoft antivirus or security software from Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
2. Restart the PC and try the update again.
3. Reinstall compatible security software after the system is fully updated.
If the specific KB still fails with 0x80073712 For some users, manually installing the problematic cumulative/security update from the Microsoft Update Catalog resolves 0x80073712 when Windows Update fails repeatedly. Download the exact KB for Windows 11 25H2 and the correct architecture (for example, x64), run the .msu file, let it complete, and restart. If it appears to fail once, run it a second time before restarting.
As a last resort: repair/reinstall the current Windows version If 0x80073712 persists even after DISM, SFC, reset of update components, and manual install, perform a repair reinstall of the current Windows 11 version (keeping files and apps) or a clean installation, then update again. Follow the guidance in Fix issues by reinstalling the current version of Windows or, for Surface devices, use a recovery image and then update to 24H2/25H2 before reinstalling apps and restoring files.

References:

Answer 2

Hi Rick,

Error 0x80073712 usually means the Windows component store is damaged, so the update cannot find the files it needs.

I suggest trying a repair upgrade using the Windows 11 ISO. This is often the most effective fix for this error because it replaces the damaged system update components while keeping your personal files and installed apps.

Please do this:

Download the official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
Right-click the ISO file and choose Mount.
Open the mounted drive and run setup.exe.
Choose Keep personal files and apps.
Complete the repair installation, then restart and run Windows Update again.

This is not a clean install, so your files and apps should remain, but I still recommend backing up important files first.

After the repair upgrade finishes, the 0x80073712 update error should usually be cleared.