Error 0x80070003: how to fix it in Windows Update

Applies to: Windows 11 and Windows 10. You need an administrator account for Fixes 2 to 5. Back up important files before Fix 5.

What 0x80070003 means

Codes that start with 0x8007 wrap a standard Windows error number; 0003 is ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND, “The system cannot find the path specified.” During an update it means the servicing stack (the part of Windows that installs updates) couldn’t reach a path it expected.

Typical causes are an incomplete or damaged update download, damaged system files, and, according to Microsoft, missing or inaccessible driver files that an update tries to service. In that last case the update can install, restart and then roll back with “We couldn’t complete the updates. Undoing changes.”

Fix 1: Restart and run the troubleshooter

1. Restart the PC (use Restart, not Shut down) and try Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates again.
2. Make sure the system drive has free space; 20 GB or more is a comfortable margin for feature updates.
3. Run the troubleshooter. Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then Run next to Windows Update. Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. On the newest Windows 11 versions the button may open the Get Help app instead, which runs the same checks.

Fix 2: Reset the Windows Update cache

Windows keeps downloaded update files in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and update signatures in catroot2. Renaming them forces a fresh download. Right-click Start, open Terminal (Admin) or an administrator Command Prompt, and run these one at a time:

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
ren %systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
net start bits
net start wuauserv

If a ren line says access is denied, run net stop cryptsvc first, rename again, then net start cryptsvc. In PowerShell, %systemroot% doesn’t work; use $env:SystemRoot or switch to Command Prompt. Restart and check for updates. You can delete the .bak folders once updates work. For more update commands, see how to run Windows Update from the command line.

Fix 3: Repair system files with DISM and SFC

In the same administrator window, run:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
sfc /scannow

DISM can take a while and may sit at a percentage for several minutes. When both finish, restart and try the update again. If DISM itself fails with a source error, see our guide to error 0x800f081f.

Fix 4: Find the missing path in CBS.log

If the update keeps failing, the log shows exactly which path is missing:

1. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\Logs\CBS.
2. Copy CBS.log to your desktop (the original may be in use) and open the copy in Notepad.
3. Press Ctrl + F and search for 0x80070003 or , error near the time the update failed.
4. Note the file, folder or driver named in that line.

In Microsoft’s example, the failing item was a printer driver (ntprint4.inf). If the log points to a driver for a device you no longer use, removing that device and its driver package in Device Manager, then restarting, may let the update through. If you’re unsure what the entry means, skip to Fix 5 rather than deleting system files by hand.

Fix 5: Repair-install Windows

Microsoft calls an in-place upgrade the most reliable fix for this error. It reinstalls Windows over itself and keeps your files, apps and most settings, but back up first anyway.

• Windows 11 (recent versions): go to Settings > System > Recovery and, if you see Fix problems using Windows Update, select Reinstall now. This option isn’t on every version.
• Any Windows 11 or 10 PC: download the Installation Assistant or Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s Download Windows page, or open the ISO, run setup.exe from inside Windows, and choose to keep personal files and apps.

Afterwards, run Windows Update to pick up any remaining updates.

0x80070003 outside Windows Update

The same code can appear elsewhere because it only means “path not found”:

• Media Creation Tool or Windows setup (for example 0x80070003 – 0x2000D): clear temporary setup files with Disk Cleanup, unplug extra drives and USB devices, and try again, or use the Installation Assistant instead.
• Backup, File History or copying files: the target or source folder was moved, renamed or is on a drive that’s disconnected. Reconnect the drive or pick the folder again in the app’s settings.
• Microsoft Store or app updates: sign out and back in to the Store, then try Fix 2 and Fix 3, since the Store uses the same update components.

If Windows Update can’t reach Microsoft at all, see We couldn’t connect to the update service instead.

Related guides

• How to run Windows Update from the command line
• Error 0x800f081f: how to fix it
• We couldn’t connect to the update service: how to fix it
• Error 0x8007025d: how to fix it

Official sources: for more detail, see these Microsoft pages:

• Microsoft Learn: Error 0x80070003 after you install a Windows update
• Microsoft Learn: Common Windows Update errors
• Microsoft Support: Troubleshoot problems updating Windows

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to delete the SoftwareDistribution folder?

Yes, with the Windows Update service stopped. It only holds downloaded update files and history, and Windows rebuilds it. Your update history list may look empty afterwards.

Will a repair install delete my files?

Not when you choose to keep personal files and apps. It’s still wise to back up first, because any reinstall can fail.

Can I just skip the failing update?

You can pause updates for a while in Settings > Windows Update, but security updates are cumulative, so the problem usually returns. Fixing the cause is better.

Does 0x80070003 mean my hard drive is failing?

Not usually. It means a path is missing, not that the drive is damaged. If you also see slowness, freezes or disk errors, check the drive’s health as well.