Fix Windows Error Code 0x80073712 With Some Troubleshooting Steps

The Windows error code 0x80073712 is one of the most violent error codes that usually occurs due to an update failure or an incomplete update of the software application. The error code strikes with an error note that says “Windows can’t be updated, an error occurred 0x80073712”. This is one of the most annoying error codes that literally slow down the whole system and thus, the computer will run sluggishly. Several users’ have reported this error code as they don’t have the proper solution to crack this. So, if you are one of those hopeless and don’t know what to do and how to deal with this situation, then you have landed on the right spot. In this content, we will explore all the probable causes and effective solutions to eliminate this error code as soon as possible.

What Causes Windows Update Error Code 0x80073712 Occurs?

There are numerous reasons for the error code 0x80073712 occurrence on your Windows. This error basically strikes due to missing or damaged registry files on your Windows. Sometimes, the malware or virus can also cause this error code. Incomplete or wrong installation is another prime suspect for this error code occurrence. If you are using an outdated driver application or the driver goes corrupted, then it will also result in error code 0x80073712 on your Windows system. Incomplete update of the software can also result in this error. However, we have enough solutions to terminate this error code that we will discuss in the next section.

Effective Methods to Fix Error Code (0x80073712)

We have prepared a few effective fixes in order to settle Windows update error code 0x80073712 in minutes. You can continue with either one of these solutions or with the whole guidebook until you have the error code terminated permanently.

Method 1: Repair the Registry Entries Associated with Microsoft Update on your Computer

As we have discussed above that if the registry files get corrupted or are missing, then it will result in error code 0x80073712 on your Windows system. You need to restore all the wicked or missing registry entries to drop the Windows update error code 0x80073712. Perform the steps mentioned below to succeed in the task:

  1. Turn on your computer and you can see the Windows Start button at the left-bottom corner of the screen. Click on that button to proceed to the next screen.
  2. When the Windows search panel opens, type Command in the Search box and while pressing the Ctrl+Shift key, tap the Enter button.
  3. After that, click on Yes when a permission dialogue box opens.
  4. Now, this will open a black box with a blinking cursor on the next window. Type “regedit” in the box and tap the Enter key to proceed to the next.
  5. Select the Error code-related 0x80073712 from the Registry Editor folder and select the Export option from the File menu.
  6. After that, select the folder in the Save list where you want to save Microsoft backup and choose the Selected Branch option.
  7. On the next page, click on the Save option and then the file will be saved as “.reg” file extension”.

After completing all the above steps accurately, restart your computer manually and identify if the error code 0x80073712 survives or not. If the error code still persists or the above method doesn’t work, try another solution below.

Method 2: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter Tool on your Windows

Windows Update troubleshooter tool is an in-built feature on your Windows that allows the computer to solve several Windows update issues including error 0x80073712. You need to perform this method in order to resolve the Windows Update issue on your computer. Catch the steps below to complete this method:

  1. In the beginning, turn on the laptop/desktop and tap on the Windows Start button from the left-bottom corner of the screen.
  2. When the Search pane opens, type Troubleshoot into the search box and simply tap the Enter key to open the action.
  3. After that, locate the Troubleshoot option from the search of results and again click on that option.
  4. Now, click on the Windows Update option from the left corner of the screen and then click on Run the Troubleshooter option.
  5. At last, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Windows Update Troubleshooter process.

After you have completed all the steps successfully, restart the device manually as usual you do and see if the error code exists or not. If still, the error code survives or the above method doesn’t aim, try another solution below.

Method 3: Run the SFC/Scannow on your Computer

SFC/Scannow is another in-built feature in Windows that allows the computer to scan for the errors and recover them automatically. Sometimes, there might be several errors stuck with the system which is quite difficult to detect. SFC/Scannow feature allows the computer to scan every single file regarding the error code. Go through the steps below to run the SFC/Scannow process:

  1. In the beginning, turn on the computer and click on the Windows start button from the left-bottom corner of the screen.
  2. When the search pane opens, type “cmd” into the search box and tap the enter key or simply click on that to open the action.
  3. After that, locate the Command Prompt option from the list of search results and click on that to invoke the action.
  4. Now, you can see the Run as Administrator option on the left side of the screen. Click on that and then click on Yes when prompted.
  5. When the Command Prompt box opens on the next screen, type “sfc/scannow” into the box and tap the Enter key or simply click on OK to proceed to the next.
  6. At last, wait until the task is completed and click on Finish when you are done.

After finishing all the above steps accurately, restart the computer manually as usual and see if the error code exists or not. If still, you are unhappy with this method or the above method doesn’t work, try another solution below.

Method 4: Run the Deployment Image & Servicing Management (DISM) Tool

Deployment Image and Servicing Management tool is another useful feature provided by Windows that allows the computer to recover Windows corruption or the system files. Go through the steps below in order to run the DISM tool on your computer:

  1. At first, turn on your computer and press the Windows Start button from the left-bottom corner of the screen to invoke the Search pane.
  2. When the Search Pane opens, type “cmd” into the search box and tap the Enter key or simply click on that option to open the action.
  3. After that, locate the Command Prompt option from the list of search results and click on that to invoke the action.
  4. Now, click on Run as Administrator option from the very bottom of the screen and wait for the command box to appear.
  5. When the command box appears on the next screen, type “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth” into the command box and press Enter.
  6. At last, follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to finish.

When the task is completed, click on Finish and simply restart the computer as usual. Now, check for the error code 0x80073712 if continues or not. If still the above method doesn’t work or the error code exists, try another solution below.

Method 5: Erase the Windows Update Cache Files on your Computer

Sometimes the system cache files prevent or block the Windows to update software application or the Operating System. You need to delete all the cache files from your computer in order to get escape from this error code. Follow the hacks given below to complete the task:

  1. At first, turn on your computer and press the Windows+R key at the same time on your keyboard to invoke the Run Command box.
  2. When the command box appears, type “services.msc” into the Run box and press the Enter key or simply click on the OK button below.
  3. After that, scroll down to the bottom and locate the Windows Update option from the left corner of the screen.
  4. Now, click on the Stop button and again open the Run Command by performing Step 1.
  5. Now, type “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download” into the box and tap the Enter key or simply click on the OK button.
  6. After that, select all the files by pressing the Ctrl+A button and right-click on that.
  7. Select the Delete option and tick the blank box that says “Do this for all current items”.
  8. Click on Continue from the bottom of the screen and right-click on Windows update and click on Start.

Now, after completing all the steps accurately, restart the computer manually as usual and see if the error code persists or not. If still, you are unhappy with this method or the above method doesn’t work, try another solution below.

Method 6: Update the BIOS on your Computer

If none of the above methods worked, then updating the computer’s BIOS version is the only hope to eliminate the Windows error 0x80073712. Corrupted BIOS version or outdated BIOS version can surely stop the Window to be updated. Go through the steps below in order to update the BIOS version.

Downloading the BIOS File

  1. At first, turn your computer on and tap the Windows Start button at the bottom-left corner of the window.
  2. Type “msinfo” into the search bar and tap the Enter key to invoke the System Information on the next window.
  3. Now, locate the System Model option, on the screen and copy the computer’s model name and number.
  4. After that, navigate to the BIOS version number on the desktop. On the other hand, if you have a custom-built computer, simply skip this step.
  5. Now, open a web browser on the desktop and drive to the manufacturer’s website to download the BIOS file.
  6. Enter the BIOS version number, Model number, and Model name in the box and tap the Enter key to search for the latest BIOS version.
  7. You can see a list of all the options on the next screen. Simply click on the ‘Download’ button at the very bottom of the page.
  8. Next, click on ‘Confirm’ option to begin the BIOS download.

Installing the BIOS

  1. After the download completes, move to the Drive/Folder where you have saved the BIOS file and simply open the folder.
  2. Copy all the files to a USB drive and restart the computer to begin the process.
  3. When the logo appears on the startup screen, simply press the F12 key to enter the BIOS setup page.
  4. Select the BOOT tab from the screen and ensure that the USB drive is showing the Flash option.
  5. Select the Flash option, from the Advanced tab and allow the computer to update the BIOS.
  6. Double-click on the BIOS.exe file and select the Extract option from the list.
  7. Now, click on Run, and then on Next to begin the installation process.
  8. Click on the “Accept all the Terms and Conditions” checkbox, and then click on Next option until the software application begins to install.
  9. Do not turn Off the computer while the BIOS is updating and click on Finish button after the BIOS installation gets complete.

After successfully performing all those steps, restart your computer and check if the error code is resolved.

A Sum Up:

We have shared all the effective and suitable solutions in order to eliminate windows update error 0x80073712. You can go through either one of these solutions or all of them until you have the error code (0x80073712) fixed. Hope the above article was beneficial enough to guide you on how to fix 0x80073712.

In case the error still exists or the above methods don’t work, then there might be some other internal glitches or the hardware issues. In that case, strongly you can take an expert’s guidance or professional help to fix error code 0x80073712. Lastly, we recommend you share your valuable feedback below in the comment segment to let us know about your experience.

Maria Colombo
Maria Colombo
Articles: 1205