MS offers a new tool to troubleshoot fix update problems

Published on December 23, 2016 By DrJBHL In Personal Computing

Not that update errors ever happen, but MS has a new troubleshooting and fixing tool for borked updates, providing the update hasn't rendered the OS unusable...

"This guided walk-through provides steps to fix problems when installing updates. Here are some commonly seen error codes: 0x80073712, 0x800705B4, 0x80004005, 0x8024402F, 0x80070002, 0x80070643, 0x80070003, 0x8024200B, 0x80070422, 0x80070020. These steps should help with all errors and not just the ones listed." - MS

The tool works for W7, 8.1 and 10. And MS warns users that If you have W8, you should update to 8.1 as W8 is no longer supported. I'd take that warning seriously since the updates might well not be tested on W8 due to lack of support, and this tool will not work for W8.

The tool works in a stepwise fashion going through diagnostic, etc. algorithms but and if it cannot help, it will advise you to reset or reinstall your OS.

It's a good idea, therefore, to have restore points and updated backups for your system.

Download page for the tool: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10164/fix-windows-update-errors - you must choose your OS and then a download link will appear.

Sources:

https://mspoweruser.com/microsofts-new-tool-lets-see-troubleshoot-windows-error-codes/

https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-offers-troubleshooting-tool-to-help-users-easily-fix-issues-with-windows-updates

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10164/fix-windows-update-errors

Comments

Hankers

on Dec 23, 2016

Thanks for posting, Seth.

I'm sure this will help some.

Uvah

on Dec 23, 2016

It should. Twice I had to use Window's own tool to fix the updates. This just might come in handy. Thanks Doc.

Edit: Dl'd the tool and ran it. It's still trying to detect problems. Maybe three minutes already.

At 3:44 I canceled it. It was going nowhere.

Jafo

on Dec 23, 2016

Uvah

reply 2

Edit: Dl'd the tool and ran it. It's still trying to detect problems. Maybe three minutes already.

At 3:44 I canceled it. It was going nowhere.

You probably need a tool to fix errors with the tool....

Good old Microsoft....ya gotta love 'em....

DrJBHL

on Dec 23, 2016

Uvah

reply 2

Edit: Dl'd the tool and ran it. It's still trying to detect problems. Maybe three minutes already.

At 3:44 I canceled it. It was going nowhere.

Did you have any problems that needed fixing to begin with? Did you get any of those error codes in the OP during downloading/installing?

If you didn't, why be surprised if it did nothing?

AceMatrix

on Dec 23, 2016

Thanks Doc , you always have the most helpful posts. I always look forward to the latest information in your posts.

--Ace --

DrJBHL

on Dec 24, 2016

Thanks, Ace.

Have a wonderful holiday, folks...

Uvah

on Dec 24, 2016

DrJBHL

reply 4

If you didn't, why be surprised if it did nothing?

The problems I did have were corrected by the troubleshooter. This tool should have, at least, gathered the information and displayed it. That didn't happen.

Daiwa

on Dec 24, 2016

I'm one of those who needs a tool to fix the tool. Ran it once & it fixed all but one of the identified problems. Ran it a second time & it reported all the problems to be fixed. Rebooted, ran update and nothing had changed, stayed stuck at 0% download for about 8 hours, with wuauserv banging the cpu at 25%. Have this problem on two rigs, strangely (or not). Have only tried the tool on one so far.

DrJBHL

on Dec 24, 2016

What can I tell you guys...I ran it and it found no errors...which is true.

I hope you left MS feedback.

Publius of NV

on Dec 24, 2016

My wife's Surface Pro 3 running Windows 10 has been failing on the Anniversary Update repeatedly. I'll try running this when we get home after the new year, since if it works I don't want her re-downloading the whole update on the wi-fi we've got now.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!