How to fix Update Error 0x80070bc2 on Windows 10

To avail of the latest feature on Windows 10 or keep your system bug free, installing Windows 10 patches is the most essential part. However, while performing this task, users widely encounter failed error messages or the update process stuck at some percentage. In such scenarios, you keep receiving a message that reads – “Requires a restart to finish installing“. In this post, we are going to discuss one such update issue – 0x80070bc2, the probable reasons along with some working solutions to get rid of this error.

There are different reasons that may cause the Update Error 0x80070bc2 on the computer. Some of them are – Corrupt Windows Services, Unnecessary cache, mismanaged settings, or a recent upgrade of Windows 10. If the check for updates button doesn’t work, download/install the standalone package from the Update Catalog. Set the Windows Services to Auto mode, use Update troubleshooter, Delete the existing cache, perform Clean boot, and resetting the update components are a few working solutions to fix the 0x80070bc2 error. In case each one of these fails, restore the system to an earlier state using the latest Restore Ponts. Let’s explore –

Fix: Update Error 0x80070bc2 on Windows 10

To solve the Update Error 0x80070bc2 on Windows 10 PC, use the following workarounds –

1. Adjust Windows Update Services to Automatic

After encountering the Error 0x80070bc2 on your PC, the first thing you should do is to configure the Windows update services as Automatic. To do so, use the command prompt –

Jointly press Win and R to invoke the Run dialog.
Type cmd at the void and simultaneously tap Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
On the UAC window, tap Yes to launch Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
Next, run each one of the below codes separately followed by the Enter key –

SC config wuauserv start= auto

SC config bits start= auto

SC config cryptsvc start= auto

SC config trustedinstaller start= auto

The above set of commands will set the update services to Auto mode.
Restart your computer and try installing the pending cumulative updates.

If the issue exists even after this, try the next solution –

2. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows Troubleshooter is an in-built tool that can repair corrupt files preventing Windows 10 update. Here’s how to run this utility program –

Open the Settings window pressing Win + I keys together.
Select Update & Security thereafter Troubleshoot on the succeeding left column.
Head over to the “Get up and running” section on the right-wing. Here, click to expand Windows Update and hit Run the troubleshooter.

The scanning process will start immediately afterward, follow the on-screen instruction to complete the remaining steps.
Once this gets over, restart your PC so as to implement the recent changes.

3. Remove the Windows Update Cache

If you are running your PC for quite a long time, there must lie some unnecessary cache. This may also prevent the update process from being carried out and lead to 0x80070bc2 error. Hence, clean the junk files using the below steps –

Note: Before proceeding ahead, make sure to temporarily disable the Windows Update Services.

Open the Run dialog (Win & R), type services.msc and click OK.
Scroll down to Windows Update, make a right-click, and hit Stop. See the Snapshot below –

Afterward, open the File Explorer using Win + E shortcut.
Next, navigate to the below path –

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

Press Ctrl+A to highlight all the items inside this folder. Perform a right-click and tap the Delete option.

Now, re-visit the Services window and start the “Windows Update” service.
Finally, Reboot your PC and check whether you can update your Windows OS normally or not.

4. Manually Install Windows Update

Sometimes, the automatic update process simply won’t work. In such cases, you need to manually download the standalone package and install it on your computer. Here’s how to proceed –

At first, note down the CU number that you are unable to install.
Go to the Microsoft Official website and type the KB number at the search bar.
Subsequently, press the Download button next to the cumulative update links. Make sure to check the system architecture (x86, x64, ARM64, etc.) on your device.

A pop-up window will appear, hit the top link so as to download .msu file.
Lastly, go to the Download folder and click twice on the set-up file to upgrade the existing OS build version.

5. Use Clean Boot of Windows 10

Many a time, the presence of corrupt apps or its leftover files may lead to the 0x80070bc2 error. To solve such conflicts, users must perform a clean boot on their devices. Here are the essential steps to work upon –

Press Win+Q, type msconfig, and press Enter.
When the System Configuration window comes into view, go to the Startup tab and click “Open Task Manager“.
Select each one of the running programs and hit Disable.

After disabling all of the running applications, close Task Manager, and Reboot the PC.

6. Reset Windows Update Components

If you are still unable to install the security patches due to error 0x80070bc2, there may lie some issues with the Update components. So, you need to reset these system components using the Windows Console. Follow the below guidelines to do this –

Press Win & S shortcut and type cmd in the text box. Make a right-click on the well-matching result and choose Run as Administrator.
When the UAC window appears, tap Yes to proceed ahead.
On the elevated prompt area, enter the below codes one by one. These commands will stop some of the essential services like BITS, Windows Update, Cryptographic, etc.

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc

Next, remove the qmgr*.dat files executing the below code –

Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\Application Data\\Microsoft\\Network\\Downloader\\qmgr*.dat”

Subsequently, copy/paste cd /d %windir%\\system32 and press Enter.
Now, re-register the .dll files running the below codes –

exe atl.dll
exe urlmon.dll
exe mshtml.dll
exe shdocvw.dll
exe browseui.dll
exe jscript.dll
exe vbscript.dll
exe scrrun.dll
exe msxml.dll
exe msxml3.dll
exe msxml6.dll
exe actxprxy.dll
exe softpub.dll
exe wintrust.dll
exe dssenh.dll
exe rsaenh.dll
exe gpkcsp.dll
exe sccbase.dll
exe slbcsp.dll
exe cryptdlg.dll
exe oleaut32.dll
exe ole32.dll
exe shell32.dll
exe initpki.dll
exe wuapi.dll
exe wuaueng.dll
exe wuaueng1.dll
exe wucltui.dll
exe wups.dll
exe wups2.dll
exe wuweb.dll
exe qmgr.dll
exe qmgrprxy.dll
exe wucltux.dll
exe muweb.dll
exe wuwebv.dll

Once over, Restart the Windows Services that you have stopped earlier. To do so, run the following commands –

net start bits

net start wuauserv

net start appidsvc

net start cryptsvc

At last, Reboot your system and see if the “Check for updates” works on your device or not.

7. Use System Restore

The above solution should resolve any update-related issues. However, if not, you are left with only one thing and i.e. Use System Restore Points. In case you haven’t made any previously, clean install Windows 10. Here’s how to use the backup files –