You should update your operating system and its components to eliminate various bugs and shortcomings, thus eliminating performance issues. It is recommended to update your computer frequently to prevent vulnerabilities in the operating system and .NET framework, driver incompatibilities, and security threats. Some drivers update automatically, while others require manual updating. Many users have reported error code 0x80070103 while installing various updates. This error code is most commonly reported on the Windows Update screen, but it also occurs when confirming a Windows Update prompt and installing a specific driver on your device. Here's how to fix update error 0x80070103 on Windows 10.
How to Fix Update Error 0x80070103 on Windows 10
You can manually update pending downloads from sites. Windows Update Official. In this section, Microsoft acknowledged the issue and confirmed that error 0x80070103 occurs for two reasons. Microsoft stated that if you see Windows Update error 80070103 when installing updates, you may be trying to install a driver that is already installed on your computer or has a worse compatibility rating than the driver already installed.
What causes error 0x80070103?
This section compiles a list of scenarios in which you'll typically encounter this error under certain circumstances. This section is essential for understanding the root cause of the issue so you can follow appropriate troubleshooting methods.
- Install the update for the second time: When Windows Update (WU) components are confused with an installed add-on, your computer declares it as a second piece of software and fails to update the request, resulting in this issue.
- Install the same update for an already installed driver: When Windows Update (WU) components try to install an incompatible version of an already installed driver, you will encounter this issue.
- External interference: When a third-party security suite or any incompatible software interferes with your computer, you will face this issue.
Method 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Before trying anything else, there's an easy way to resolve the issue automatically by running the Windows Update Troubleshooter. If there are any inconsistent functions with Windows Update components, the troubleshooter will identify and resolve them according to a set of repair strategies.
1. Press Windows key + I At the same time to run Settings.
2. Click on the box Update and security , as shown.
3. Go to the menu Troubleshooting in the right pane.
4. Select Windows Update Troubleshooter and click the . button Run the troubleshooter described below.
5. Wait for the troubleshooter to detect and fix the issue. Once the process is complete, Restart your computer.
Method 2: Repair System Files
The main reason for this error is corrupted system files. Windows 10 users can automatically scan and repair system files by running System File Checker & Deployment Image & Service Management tools. Then, follow the steps below to do so:
1. Press Windows key , And type Command Prompt And click Run as administrator.
2. Click "Yeah" in the prompt User Account Control.
3. Type the command chkdsk C: /f /r /x And press Enter key.
Note: If you are prompted with the message, "Chkdsk cannot be run... The volume... is in use," then type Y and press Enter.
4. Write sfc / scannow And press Enter key to turn on System File Checker.
Note: The system scan will begin and take two minutes to complete. In the meantime, you can continue performing other activities, but be careful not to accidentally close the window.
5. After the scan is complete, any of these messages will appear:
- Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
- Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.
- Windows Resource Protection found and successfully repaired corrupted files.
- Windows Resource Protection found corrupted files but was unable to repair some of them.
6. Once the scan is complete, Restart your computer.
7. Again, run Command Prompt as Administrator Execute the specified commands one by one:
dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /scanhealth dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /restorehealth dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
Note: You must have a working Internet connection to execute DISM commands correctly.
Method 3: Run a virus scan
Sometimes, Windows Defender fails to recognize a threat when a virus or malware uses system files. Malware or viruses aim to damage the user's system, steal private data, or spy on the system without the user's knowledge.
There are a few anti-malware programs available to combat malware. These programs routinely scan and protect your system. Therefore, to avoid error 0x80070103, run an antivirus scan of your system and see if the issue is resolved. Then, follow the steps below to do so.
1. Press Windows key + I At the same time to run Settings.
2. Here, click Update and security settings As shown.
3. Go to Windows Security in the right pane.
4. Click Option Virus and threat protection in the right pane.
5. Click Quick Scan button Search for Malicious software.
6A. Once the inspection is completed, you will be View all threats. Click Start the process Among the current threats.
6b. If there is no threat to your device, the device will display an alert. No current threats.
Method 4: Update drivers manually
You can try to install the drivers manually to get around Windows update error code 0x80070103 as shown below.
1. Click START YOUR , And type Device Manager , And press Enter key.
2. Double-click on Display adapters to expand it.
3. Now, right-click on video card driver and select Driver Update , as shown.
4. Next, tap Search automatically About drivers To install the updated driver on your computer.
5A. Drivers will be updated to Latest version If it is not updated. Restart your computer To install it.
5b. If they are already in the updated stage, the following screen will be displayed. Click Close to get out of the window and restart the computer
6. Here are the steps to update your graphics driver. Follow them accordingly for other drivers as well.
Method 5: Update Windows manually
If you have ensured that there are no corrupted files or malware on your computer and that all essential services are running smoothly, you can download the updates manually as shown below:
1. Press Windows key + I Together to open Settings In your system.
2. Select Update and security As shown.
3. Now, click on the option View update history , As shown below.
4. In the list, write down the number. KB The commentator is unable to download due to an error message.
5. Here, type KB number in search bar Microsoft Update Catalog As shown below.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to manually download and install the update.
Method 6: Modify the Windows Update service
On certain occasions, an update may fail and some files may be missing. You'll then need to delete or rename these installation files to resolve the issue. You'll need to disable the update service to modify these files, as they will run in the background. Follow these steps to do so:
1. Open the dialog box "employment" And type services.msc Click on Enter key to turn on Services window.
2. Now, scroll down the screen and right-click on Windows Update.
3. Here, click "turning off" If the current status shows Running.
4. You will receive a prompt message, trying to Windows Stop the following service on Local computer… Wait for the claim to clear in approximately 3 to 5 seconds.
5. Turn on File Explorer by clicking Windows + E keys Together and go to the specified path:
C: \ Windows \ Software \ Datastore
6. Select All files and folders by pressing Ctrl + A keys together.
7. Right-click on the empty space and select the option delete to remove All files and folders from the DataStore site.
8. Next, go to C: \ Windows \ SoftwareDistribution \ Download And delete all files Likewise.
9. Go back to Services window , right click on Windows Update and select an option start As shown below.
10. As before, Wait while Windows tries to start the next service on the local computer… The claim disappears.
11. Close Services window وRestart your computer.
Method 7: Reset update components
The net results of this method include:
- Restart BITS, MSI Installer, Cryptographic, and Windows Update Services.
- Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders.
This should fix update error 0x80070103 on Windows 10.
1. Turn on Command Prompt as Administrator.
net stop wuauerv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
Method 8: Disable startup services and applications
Issues related to error code 0x80070103 can be fixed by clean booting all essential services and files in your Windows 10 system, as described in this method.
Note: Make sure you are logged in as an administrator to perform a clean boot of Windows.
1. Launch the dialog box. "employment" by pressing Windows + R keys together.
2. Write msconfig And press Enter key To open the system configuration.
3. The System Configuration window appears. Next, switch to the tab Services.
4. Check the box next to Hide all. Microsoft Services , and click the button Disable all As shown.
5. Now, switch to the “Startup” tab and click on the link Open Task Manager As shown below.
6. Now, a window will appear. Task ManagerDefine tasks. startup Not required And click Disabled Shown in the lower right corner.
7. Close the window. Task management و "System Configuration". finally , Restart your computer.
Method 9: Turn off automatic updates
The automatic update feature will keep your computer up to date to the latest version whenever an update is available. If you're experiencing error code 0x80070103 due to automatic updates, you can try turning off the automatic updates feature as follows:
1. Press and hold Windows key + I Together to open Settings.
2. Now, select Update and security As shown.
3. Now, click on "Advanced Options" On the right side, as shown below.
4. In the next window, scroll down to Pause Updates section and click Option Set date As shown.
5. Now, choose the date on which updates will be disabled.
Method 10: Block Windows driver updates
You can prevent error code 0x80070103 on your computer by preventing your computer from reinstalling any driver updates. Note that this method will block all available updates for any driver, not just a single update. Follow the steps below to hide Windows driver updates on your computer.
1. Press Windows key And type Control Panel in Search bar.
2. Now, set the option Show by option on small icons and click 1866 As shown.
3. Here, scroll down the screen and tap on Advanced system settings As shown.
4. Then switch to Devices tabIn the System Properties pop-up window, click the button Device installation settings The explained.
5. Then click on the option "no" (Your device may not work as expected) as shown and click the button "Saving changes".
6. Finally, Restart your computer Check if you have fixed the problem.
Method 11: Uninstall suspicious apps in safe mode
Boot your computer in safe mode and try to install applications that may be causing this error.
Note: To boot your PC into Safe Mode, you may be prompted to enter your BitLocker key if you have an encrypted device.
1. Follow our guide on How to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 10 here.
2. Now press Windows key , And type Applications and Features , and click to open.
3. Click Conflicting/suspicious application (e.g. Battle.net) and select an option uninstall , As shown below.
4. Click "uninstall" Once again to confirm this.
5. Finally, Restart your computer Check if the error code exists. If it does, try the next solution.
We hope this guide was helpful and you can fix update error 0x80070103 on Windows 10. Let us know what you'd like to know next.
