The Windows update error 80070103 generally appears when Windows attempts to update all your device drivers. However, some users claim that they get stuck with this same error code after updating their Windows Operating System to the latest version. The error code comes up with error notification saying “there were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later”. It is a widespread error and you can take necessary actions in order to eliminate it from your Windows-based device.
Hence, if you are struggling with the same error, then you need to terminate it as soon as possible from your device. But, before that, you need to detect the possible causes behind the error. Accordingly, there are various factors responsible for this error. Generally, this issue appears if you are attempting to install a driver which is not completely compatible with your device. It can occur if you register a system file incorrectly. Also, it can appear due to the corrupted Windows update database. Further, such kind of issue can result from antivirus software or previously failed updates.
Effective Hacks to Resolve Windows Error Code 80070103
Once you identify the causes behind the error, you can proceed to the troubleshooting methods. Usually, a simple restart can eliminate this error from your device. So, before navigating to the other technical solutions, you can restart your device. After restarting, if you encounter the same error, then you can follow the steps mentioned below.
Method 1: Update the Device Drivers Manually
In most cases, outdated or corrupted device drivers lead to Windows update error 80070103. In that case, it is recommended to update the device drivers manually. If you are not aware of how to update the device drivers manually, then you can follow the below section:
Step 1:
In the first step, press the Windows Home key + I key simultaneously on your keyboard to invoke the Settings app. Once the Settings app opens, choose the Update And Security security section. Now, click on the Windows Update option from the left-hand menu. And then, choose the View Installed Update History option.
Step 2:
Thereafter, search for the Update Which Fails To Install and note down the device name. If you cannot locate the above, then you can press the Windows logo key + R key in order to initiate the search box. Now, write ‘appwiz.cpl’ into the search box and press the Enter button.
Step 3:
Now, choose the View Installed Updates option from the left-hand menu and then, check for the available updates. After that, press the Windows Home key + R key altogether and write ‘devmgmt.msc’ in the Run dialogue box. This action will initiate the Device Manager.
Step 4:
Afterward, expand the Network Adapter and then double-click on the Update Driver button. After that, choose the Search Automatically For Updated Driver Software option. Now, the available device drivers will automatically install in the background.
Restart your device and see if the issue has been removed from your device. But, if the issue still persists, then navigate to the Device Manager and then, choose the Update Driver option. This time, you have to choose the “Browse my computer for driver software”. And then, hit the “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer”. After that, choose the latest driver and hit the Next option. Now, the available drivers will be downloaded in your device. When it is done, restart your device.
Method 2: Terminate Problematic Device Drivers
In order to resolve the Windows update error 80070103, you need to terminate the problematic device drivers from your Windows-based device. Therefore, press the Windows Home key + R key altogether on your device. And then, write “devmgmt.msc” into the search dialogue box and hit the Enter key. Now, locate the device driver, you require to uninstall. Once you locate it, right-click on it and choose the Uninstall button to terminate the driver from your device. After finishing the process, check whether the error gets removed or not.
Method 3: Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder
If the previous two methods fail to resolve the Windows update error 80070103, then you might need to rename the Software Distribution folder in Windows-based device. You can perform this action by applying the steps below:
Firstly, press the Windows Home key + X key simultaneously. This process will invoke the Command Prompt. But, you require to run the Command Prompt with administrator right. So, click on the Command Prompt (Admin) option. Now, in the Command Prompt window, enter the following commands, don’t forget to press the Enter button after entering each command.
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop cryptSvc
- net stop bits
- net stop msiserver
After executing the above commands you require to navigate to: ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old and ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old. Once you are done, this process will begin the Windows Update Service. Here, type the following commands:
- net start wuauserv
- net start cryptSvc
- net start bits
- net start msiserver
Once it is done, restart your device and check whether you are able to resolve the problem.
Method 4: Edit Registry
In case, the Windows update error 80070103 still remains, then you might need to edit the registry editor. To do so, you need to follow the below section:
Step 1:
To edit the Registry entries, you need to press the Windows Home key + R key altogether on your keyboard. This action will launch the Run dialogue. Now, in the Run dialogue box, write “regedit” and hit the Enter button.
Step 2:
Once you are done, press the Windows logo key + R key simultaneously, write “notepad” in the search box and select the OK button to continue the process. After performing the above steps, navigate to the ‘Save as from Files’ and save them as ‘wufix.reg’ on the system. After that, you need to set the file types to All Files while saving.
Step 3:
Afterward, run the ‘wufix.reg’ files. Now, you will be prompted to confirm the process, just press the Agree button. And then, reboot your device and check whether the error gets eliminated or not.
Method 5: Run A SFC Scan
Running an SFC scan can be another reliable way to resolve the issue. Since one of the potential causes behind this issue is malware, as well as, virus infections bringing in damage to the system files, thus, in order to repair the damaged system files, you can use the System File Checker tool. This is a powerful utility tool which is specially launched for removing such kind of Windows update issues. Therefore, scan all the system files along with the corrupted or damaged ones with the help of the SFC command.
To run the SFC utility, go to the Start button. And then, write “command” into the Run dialogue box. Then, press the Enter button or choose the OK. Thereafter, press Ctrl+Shift keys and hit the Enter button. Now, you need to press the Yes button and enter ‘sfc/scannow” into the Command Prompt. Once the scanning process is finished, you will find a message like all the corrupted files were detected and resolved. But, if you don’t find this message, then the System File Checker tool fails to repair the corrupted system files. In that case, you need to try another tool to repair the corrupted system files.
Method 6: Try DISM Tool
DISM tool is another Windows built-in utility tool which can also resolve this error. Therefore, in order to amend the corrupted system files, you can use it.
Step 1:
At first, press and hold the Windows Home key +R key simultaneously on your keyboard. Then, in the search dialogue box, write “cmd” and press the Enter button or select the OK button. After this process, you require to start the Command Prompt with administrator rights. In that case, you have to click on the Run As Administrator option.
Step 2:
Once you are done with the above steps, type the following command in the Command Prompt window and press the Enter button after executing each command. Command 1- DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth and the command 2- DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth. Now, you confirm the process, simply hit the OK button to continue the process.
Afterward, the DISM tool will start detecting the issues related to Windows update error 80070103. And once the problem gets detected, it will automatically fix the issues. When the process is over, restart your device and check if you still encounter the Windows update error.
Method 7: Hide the Update
After applying the above methods, if the Windows update error 80070103 still reappears, then you can select to hide the update, as in this sway, Windows Update will not try to install the same update in future. To perform this task, you can follow the steps mentioned in the below section:
Step 1:
Primarily, you need to boot your device with administrator privileges. After that, press the Windows Home key + R key altogether on your keyboard. This process will open the search dialogue box, type “Control” and hit the Enter button. Now, select the Control Panel from the top result list.
Step 2:
Once the Control Panel opens, write “Windows Update” into the Run dialogue box. Here, you will either tap on the ‘Optional updates are available’ or ‘Important updates are available’. Now, you need to install screen, you require to hit the Update button and then, choose the Hide Update option.
After finishing the process, reboot your device. Hopefully, you will be able to resolve the Windows update error 80070103.
Lastly…
We presume the article might have been able to tell you which methods you should consider resorting to if you have to get rid of this tech issue. Apply them and make a difference in the situation you are in. If you need to read about related topics, please stay on this page. And on the other hand, you can also take expert assistance for ultimate help.
