Fix Error Code 0x80070002 on Windows (2019 Guide)

Failed search for Windows updates comes with Error code: 0x80070002

Error code: 0x80070002 indicates a failed attempt to search and install the latest Windows updates. The message in Settings states that error occurred while checking for new updates for the computer and that the operating system faced an unknown error.

As a result, attempts to install the latest updates will be unsuccessful. Luckily, the error is not that serious, and anyone can learn how to fix 0x80070002 on Windows 10/8/7 by following steps prepared by our experts.

The error may occur after an attempt to install Windows update. Many users have faced this error after KB4338822, KB4462919, KB4464218, KB4462919, and KB4483234. The installation might fail and be reversed, or the computer might get rebooted.

In other words, it doesn’t matter how hard you try to install the update, and it just wouldn’t work out. However, there are some useful techniques that you should follow carefully. If you do so, the issue will be resolved, and you won’t encounter Error code: 80070002 or 80070002 on Windows when attempting to install updates.

Ways to fix 0x80070002 on Windows

1 Method. Use Windows Update Troubleshooter

Troubleshooters are fun because they can look for the cause of the problem and bring it up to you. Although they do not always work wonders, we find them quite useful and time-saving. Here’s how the troubleshooter can help you to fix 80070002 or 80070003:

1.  Open Windows Start menu and type troubleshoot in Windows search bar. Launch the matching result, which opens Settings > Troubleshoot window.
2. Here, click on the Windows Update option. Then click on Run the troubleshooter button which appears on the screen.
3. Now, follow the instructions the troubleshooter provides. Choose either Skip this fix or Apply this fix.
   

2 Method. Check if Date & Time settings are correct

Experts know that many Windows errors, including 0x80070002 and 0x80070003, can be caused by incorrect Date & Time settings. Although it seems there is no connection between these errors and time settings, believe us, there is. Windows update service can’t function properly if time settings are off, so make sure you fix this issue.

1. In Windows Start menu, use search to find Date & Time settings.
2. First of all, check if the Set Time and Time Zone automatically options are toggled on. With these options toggled on, your computer should pick and set the correct time automatically. If it doesn’t, you will have to select the time zone and set the time manually. Instructions on how to do it are provided in the next step.
3. To control these settings manually, turn off Select time automatically & Set time zone automatically options. Then click Change button below Change date and time. Here, set the correct time and click Change again.
4. Restart your PC before trying to update Windows.
   

3 Method. Scan and fix corrupted system files

It is yet another easy method that may fix 0x80070002 Windows update error for you. All it takes is to perform two simple commands using the Command Prompt (Admin).

1. Open the Command Prompt as Administrator – type cmd  in Windows search, right-click it > Run as Administrator. Click Yes in UAC prompt.
2. Now, type the given command and press Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
3. Wait until the process is finished.
4. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
5. Wait until the process is finished. If it says that the procedure finished successfully, restart your PC and try to install the update. If it says that some files were corrupted and could not be repaired, you will need to delete them manually. Follow instructions in Method 4 to do it.
   

4 Method. Delete corrupted Windows update files

1. Press Windows key + R and type services.msc. Hit OK or Enter.
2. Find a service called Windows Update. Right-click it and choose Stop option.
3. Now, you will need to delete the SoftwareDistribution folder, which is located in C:\Windows. Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder and Delete it. If you do not want to delete it, you can Rename it, for instance, to SoftwareDistributionX.
4. Finally, follow steps 1-2, but when you right-click on Windows update service, choose Start option.
5. Restart your PC and see if 0x80070002 occurs when trying to install updates.
   

We hope you found these instructions useful. In case you found other solution for the error 80070002, please share it with others in the comments section below.

5 Method. Set Primary Partition Active

Error Code 0x80070002 can occur if your Windows OS is installed on inactive partition. That is to say, you need to activate it or repartition hard drive (which we do not suggest, as it wipes everything off your computer). Therefore, we will stick with the first option and make the current system partition active. Here’s what you need to do.

1. Launch Run prompt by pressing Windows key + R together.
2. In Run, type diskmgmt.msc, press Enter.
3. In Disk Management, drag the right line of the Status column to expand it. Now, look which partition is marked as Primary Partition. Right-click this partition as click Make Partition As Active.
4. If a pop-up asking to confirm appears, click Yes or OK.
   

6 Method. System Restore

Using backups is one of the most popular ways of fixing various Windows problems, including 0x80070002. System Restore basically restores your Windows computer system settings back to previous state. Typically, Win10 operating system creates a backup BEFORE installing an update, so even if you haven’t created a backup manually, you should find one to use.

TIP. Try to choose a backup prior to changes to system settings you or someone else have made and can’t determine what caused the discussed error.

1. In the taskbar, click on Windows icon.
2. Then hit the Gear icon to open Settings.
   
3. In Settings, click on Update & Security.
4. On the left panel, choose Recovery.
5. Here, scroll down to find Advanced Startup section. Click Restart Now under it.
6. Wait until your computer restarts. Then go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore.
7. Here, choose a restore point and click Next. Follow instructions and restore a previous version.

NOTE. System restore rolls back all your system and hardware changes. It DOES NOT delete your personal files. In addition, we suggest restoring from most recent backups, moving to older ones, since older ones tend to fail sometimes.

7 Method. Fix Microsoft Security Client Error Code: 0x8007002

If you recently installed an update and now you receive Microsoft Security Client error code 0x80070002 at logon, you need to perform a little fix using WinRegistry. Please be careful while in Windows Registry, otherwise you can mess up your operating system strongly.

1. Press Windows key+R at the same time to open Run prompt. Type services.msc and press OK.
2. Find Windows Update and right-click it to select Properties.
   
3. In Properties, select Startup type: Automatic (Delayed Start).
4. Click Apply and OK.
   
5. Close the Services window by clicking X in the right corner.

8 Method. Fix Something happened 0x80070002 – 0x20016

Error Code: 0x80070002 – 0x20016 on Windows 10 often occurs when running a Microsoft Media Creation tool. This tool typically allows creating Win 10 installation USB drive or .ISO file, which can later be used to install Windows OS on another PC.

Unfortunately, the process can be interrupted by the described error, therefore we suggest performing given instructions to fix 0x80070002 – 0x20016 on Windows 10 Setup.

1. Boot into normal or Safe computer mode. Now, open Run prompt (Windows key+R) and type regedit into it.
2. Press OK in User Account Control pop-up.
3. Expand folders on the left in the given order:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / WindowsUpdate / OSUpgrade.
   TIP: If you can’t find OSUpgrade folder, then right-click WindowsUpdate folder and click New>Key and name it OSUpgrade.
4. Once in OSUpgrade folder, right-click on the right panel and select New. Choose DWORD (32-bit) value.
   
5. Rename the key: Right-click the default New Value #1 and click Rename. Type AllowOSUpgrade and press Enter.
6. Right-click the key and choose Modify. Now, set its value data to 1, and base Hexadecimal. Click OK to save.
   
7. Try updating Windows.

We hope one of the provided methods helped you to solve this annoying Windows problem. Even better, maybe you have found another method or workaround to fix Error Code: 0x80070002? If so, don’t forget to share it in the comments section to help others!

This article has been published on February 4, 2019, and updated on August 22, 2019.