How to Fix Error 0x80070002 – Step-by-Step Guide

What Does Windows Update Error 0x80070002 Mean?

Error 0x80070002 means your system can’t find some update files. This often happens because:

• The update files are incomplete or missing.
• Sometimes, system files are corrupted.
• When there are incorrect date and time settings.
• The Import and Export Option in Outlook does not work.
• Moreover, the Windows Update service has stopped working.

1. Firstly, open the Control Panel, then click on Date and Time.
2. Then, select Change date and time and set the correct information.
3. Next, hit OK to save changes.
4. Now go to the Internet Time tab and click Change settings.
5. Make sure the box for Synchronize with an Internet time server is marked.
6. Further, pick a time server (e.g., time.windows.com) and click Update Now.
7. In the end, click OK on both windows to close them.

Method 02: Clear the Software Distribution Folder

Windows stores temporary update files in a folder called SoftwareDistribution. Sometimes, these files get corrupted and prevent updates from finishing. Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070002 with these steps:

1. Primarily, open this PC and go to C:\Windows.
2. Then, press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
3. Find Windows Update in the list, right-click on it, and choose Stop.
4. Now, go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
5. Delete everything inside this folder (don’t delete the folder itself).
6. Go back to Services, right-click Windows Update, and select Start.
7. Lastly, try running the Windows Update again.

Method 03: Use System File Checker to Fix Error Code 0x80070002

Sometimes, corrupt or missing system files can cause update errors like 0x80070002. The SFC tool is built into Windows to scan and fix those files.

Right-click the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).

1. Type in: sfc /scannow and press Enter.
2. Wait for the scan to complete (this could take 10–15 minutes).
3. Once done, restart your computer.

The SFC tool automatically repairs any damaged system files it finds.

Method 04: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in tool that can detect and resolve Windows Update errors 0x80070002 on its own.

1. Firstly, go to Settings and choose Update & Security.
2. Then, select the Troubleshoot option.
3. Now, click on Additional troubleshooters.
4. Choose Windows Update, then click Run the troubleshooter.
5. Let the scan run and follow any suggestions it gives.
6. Finally, restart your PC when done.

Method 05: Run a Disk Check to Fix Error Code 0x80070002

If your hard drive has bad sectors or errors, it might interfere with updates. You can check and fix those issues using CHKDSK.

1. First, open Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. Type: chkdsk /f /r and press Enter.
3. If prompted to schedule the check for the next restart, type Y and hit Enter.

This process can take a while, but it can help fix underlying drive issues.

Why Manual Fixes May Not Always Work

While the above manual methods are free to use. But, they have several limitations, such as:

Reasons	What It Means
Technical knowledge required	Some steps need administrator rights or familiarity with system tools.
Multiple causes	The error might be triggered by a combination of issues, not just one.
Risk of mistakes	Incorrect steps can lead to new problems.
Doesn’t fix deep corruption	If system files are badly damaged, manual repair may not be enough.

However, you can easily avoid these limitations with the alternative method mentioned below.

Hassle-Free Way to Fix Error Code 0x80070002

The DRS Window Data Recovery Software is a quick and effective solution to resolve this error. This tool uses advanced technology to recover your Windows error within a few minutes. Also, the interface of this tool is simple. That means both technical and non-technical users can operate it without any trouble.

Moreover, this top-notch utility helps to restore maximum data from drive corruption, Windows crash, accidental loss, etc. In addition, the tool offers three recovery modes: Advanced, Standard, and Deep to ensure 100% accurate recovery.

Simple Steps to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070002

1. Firstly, launch the DRS Windows Data Recovery Software.
2. Next, choose Volumes and Physical Drives to recover. Click Next.
3. Select Recovery Modes: Standard, Advanced, and Deep. Hit Next.
4. Then, you can preview the recovered files and select them to save.
5. Lastly, click Save to complete the process without hassle.

Conclusion

In this technical blog post, we explained several reasons and methods to fix error code 0x80070002. This error needs a systematic approach for hassle-free recovery. Start with the basic manual methods to use the professional recovery tool. However, the manual methods do not guarantee 100% accurate recovery. So, it’s a better option to use the professional tool. They not only help to recover your Windows error. Also, give more advanced features to make results more accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions