0x80073712: a file Windows Update needs is damaged or missing

Skip to content

Home
Advisory
Cache
Patch Panel
Learn
Tools

Login / Register

x80073712

Windows Update Windows Update Needs an admin

0x80073712: a file Windows Update needs is damaged or missing

What it means: A file Windows Update needs is likely damaged or missing.

Likely causes

Damaged system files.
Corruption in the component store.
An update that was interrupted partway through.

How to fix it

Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Run DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth.
Run sfc /scannow to repair protected system files.
Restart and run Windows Update again.

Checked against: support.microsoft.com

Related codes

0x800f081f Windows couldn't find the source files it needs for the update or feature, usually because the component store is damaged.
0x800f0922 The update failed to install: often the PC couldn't reach the Windows Update servers, or the System Reserved partition is too full.
0x80070422 Windows Update can't run because its service is stopped or disabled.
0xC1900101 An error starting with 0xC1900101 means a Windows feature update or upgrade rolled back, usually because of a driver.

Still stuck? Bring the exact code and what you have tried to The Patch Panel. All error codes

← All tools

Practical IT knowledge, news, and a community that helps each other get unstuck.

Explore

Advisory
Cache
Patch Panel
About
Article archive

The Patch Panel

Ask for help
Announcements
Top of the Stack
Create an account

Accessibility · Privacy · Cookies · Terms · Contact ·

Cookies

No adverts, and nothing that follows you to another site. What we set is what signing in and the forum need. We count page views with Umami, which sets no cookie and identifies nobody. The one exception is Google reCAPTCHA, which checks our forms are being used by a person, and that one is yours to decline — nothing is loaded from Google until you say so. No adverts, and nothing that follows you to another site. We count page views without a cookie and identify nobody. Google reCAPTCHA checks our forms, and that one is yours to decline. Cookie Policy · Privacy Policy

Strictly necessary — signing in, the forum, and remembering this choice. Always on, because without them the site cannot do what you asked of it.

Spam protection — Google reCAPTCHA on the contact form, the sign-up form and the forum editor. Declining means it is never requested while you read; you will be asked again only if you go to use one of those forms.