You might see error code 0x80073701 when some essential system files aren’t there or are damaged. To get your updates working again, you can use the troubleshoot­er or fix the files yourself.

What is Windows update error code 0x80073701?

If you see error code 0x80073701 while updating, it often means some important system files are missing or damaged. Since these files are needed for updates, the process stops al­to­geth­er. While re­start­ing might help fix 0x80073701, it’s unlikely. The error 0x80073701, also known as error_sxs_assembly_missing, tends to keep coming back and blocking the update. Luckily, there are ways to fix this problem, and we’ll tell you about them.

Use the troubleshoot­er to solve 0x80073701

The initial approach you can take to address 0x80073701 is ap­plic­able to many other error codes as well. Windows features its own troubleshoot­er that scans your entire system and auto­mat­ic­ally fixes errors. Before at­tempt­ing other solutions, this method could prove effective for resolving error code 0x80073701. Follow these steps:

  1. Open your settings.
  2. Select ‘Troubleshoot­ing’.
  3. Click on ‘Ad­di­tion­al troubleshoot­ing’.
  4. Look for the ‘Windows Update’ option, then run the troubleshoot­er.

If the system iden­ti­fies a solution for 0x80073701, it’ll auto­mat­ic­ally carry out the necessary repair. After the process is finished, restart your computer and then attempt the update again.

Disable third-party security software

If the previous option doesn’t work, there’s another simple method that you can use to fix 0x80073701. Sometimes, the error is triggered by a third-party firewall or the antivirus program of a third-party vendor. These can prevent the con­nec­tion to Microsoft servers. Solution: Turn off the security software tem­por­ar­ily and then run the update again. Af­ter­wards, re­act­iv­ate all programs to continue having the best possible pro­tec­tion.

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Clean up WinSxS

Error code 0x80073701 can sometimes be caused by faulty system files that the pre­vi­ously mentioned solutions may not fix. In such cases, you can consider cleaning up the WinSxS folder, which removes outdated and po­ten­tially harmful files. Follow these steps:

  1. Press [Windows] + [R] key com­bin­a­tion to open the ‘Run’ dialogue.
  2. Type ‘cmd’ and press [Ctrl], [Shift], and [Enter] together. If you confirm with ‘Yes’ afterward, you’ll continue as an ad­min­is­trat­or.
  3. The console will open; enter the following command and execute it by pressing [Enter]:
dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
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  1. When the command has finished, restart your PC and then try to run the update again. The error code 0x80073701 should now no longer appear.

Terminate 0x80073701 with the System File Checker

Using the System File Checker (SFC) is another method to address 0x80073701. This option involves just a few steps:

  1. Open the ‘Run’ dialogue once more with [Windows] + [R].
  2. Log in as an ad­min­is­trat­or.
  3. Enter the following command into the console and execute it:
sfc / scannow
shell
  1. Wait for the command to finish executing. Afterward, restart your PC and try running the update again, which was pre­vi­ously blocked by error code 0x80073701.

Reset update com­pon­ents

Manually resetting Windows update com­pon­ents can also resolve 0x80073701. Follow these steps:

  1. Log in as an admin. Open ‘Run’ with [Windows] + [R], then execute the command ‘cmd’.
  2. Enter the following four commands one after another and execute each with [Enter]:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
shell
  1. These commands halt the specified Windows services. In the sub­sequent step, you’ll rename the update folders. Execute the cor­res­pond­ing commands listed below one by one with:
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
shell
  1. Finally, restart the services using these commands:
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
shell
  1. Restart the computer and run the update again. 0x80073701 should no longer be a problem.
Tip

We’ve compiled the top solutions for various error codes in our Digital Guide. Here’s a brief list of some of the articles available:

Please note the legal dis­claim­er relating to this article.

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