Quick Guide Fix Update Error 0x80070006 Windows 10 Update Failed - Complete Solution

Understanding Windows Update Error 0x80070006

Error 0x80070006 is a Windows Update file system error that indicates Windows cannot complete update operations due to storage or file system issues. This error typically relates to disk space or file system problems.

Where this error typically occurs:

• Windows Update - when installing updates
• Update download - when downloading update files
• Update installation - when installing downloaded updates
• Automatic updates - when Windows attempts automatic update installation

Common error messages you might encounter:

• "Windows Update error 0x80070006"
• "Update failed with error 0x80070006"
• "Error code: 0x80070006"
• "Windows Update encountered an error"
• Update installation fails with 0x80070006

Why Error 0x80070006 occurs:

• Insufficient disk space: Not enough free space for update files and installation
• Corrupted update cache: Corrupted files in Windows Update cache
• File system errors: Disk errors preventing file operations
• Windows Update service issues: Corrupted Windows Update service
• Permission problems: System lacks permissions to write update files
• Incomplete downloads: Update files downloaded incompletely or corrupted
• Disk errors: Storage drive errors causing file system problems

Method 1: Free Up Disk Space (Recommended First Step)

Insufficient disk space is the most common cause of Error 0x80070006. This method frees up space to allow update installation.

1. Check available disk space:
   • Open File Explorer
   • Right-click C: drive → Properties
   • Check "Free space" - need at least 10GB for updates
   • If less than 10GB, proceed to free up space
2. Run Disk Cleanup:
   • Press Windows + R, type cleanmgr, press Enter
   • Select C: drive
   • Click OK
   • Check all cleanup options (especially "Windows Update Cleanup")
   • Click OK → Delete Files
3. Delete temporary files:
   • Press Windows + R, type %temp%, press Enter
   • Delete files in Temp folder (skip files in use)
   • Empty Recycle Bin
4. Uninstall unused programs:
   • Open Settings → Apps
   • Sort by size to find large programs
   • Uninstall unused programs
   • Free up additional space
5. Move files to external storage:
   • Move large files (videos, photos, documents) to external drive
   • Or use cloud storage
   • Ensure at least 10GB free space remains
6. Try Windows Update again:
   • After freeing space, try installing updates
   • Error 0x80070006 should be resolved
   • If error persists, proceed to Method 2

Why this works: Windows Update requires free disk space to download and install updates. Insufficient space causes Error 0x80070006. Freeing up space allows Windows Update to complete installation successfully.

Method 2: Reset Windows Update Service

Corrupted Windows Update service can cause Error 0x80070006. Resetting the service restores normal update functionality.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Press Windows + X → "Command Prompt (Admin)"
   • Click "Yes" when UAC prompts
2. Stop Windows Update services:
   • Type: net stop wuauserv and press Enter
   • Type: net stop cryptSvc and press Enter
   • Type: net stop bits and press Enter
   • Type: net stop msiserver and press Enter
3. Clear Windows Update cache:
   • Type: ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old and press Enter
   • Type: ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old and press Enter
4. Start Windows Update services:
   • Type: net start wuauserv and press Enter
   • Type: net start cryptSvc and press Enter
   • Type: net start bits and press Enter
   • Type: net start msiserver and press Enter
5. Restart computer:
   • Restart to apply changes
   • After restart, try Windows Update again
   • Error 0x80070006 should be resolved

When to use this method: Use Method 2 when disk space is sufficient but Error 0x80070006 persists, when Windows Update service appears corrupted, or when update cache is corrupted.

Method 3: Run Disk Error Checking

Disk errors can cause Error 0x80070006 by preventing file operations. Running disk error checking repairs file system errors.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Press Windows + X → "Command Prompt (Admin)"
   • Click "Yes" when UAC prompts
2. Run disk error checking:
   • Type: chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter
   • If prompted to schedule check on next restart, type Y and press Enter
   • Restart computer
   • Disk check will run during startup (takes 30-60 minutes)
3. Wait for disk check to complete:
   • Do not interrupt disk check
   • Wait for Windows to boot normally
   • Disk errors should be repaired
4. Try Windows Update again:
   • After disk check completes, try installing updates
   • Error 0x80070006 should be resolved
   • If error persists, proceed to Method 4

Why this works: File system errors can prevent Windows Update from writing files, causing Error 0x80070006. Disk error checking repairs file system errors, allowing Windows Update to function properly.

Method 4: Clear Windows Update Cache Manually

Corrupted update cache files can cause Error 0x80070006. Manually clearing the cache removes corrupted files.

1. Stop Windows Update service:
   • Open Services (services.msc)
   • Find Windows Update service
   • Right-click → Stop
2. Delete SoftwareDistribution folder contents:
   • Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
   • Delete all files and folders in this directory
   • If files are locked, skip them for now
3. Delete Catroot2 folder contents:
   • Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\catroot2
   • Delete all files in this directory
   • If files are locked, skip them
4. Start Windows Update service:
   • In Services, right-click Windows Update → Start
   • Windows will rebuild cache automatically
5. Restart computer:
   • Restart to ensure cache is cleared
   • After restart, try Windows Update again
   • Error 0x80070006 should be resolved

When to use this method: Use Method 4 when update cache is corrupted, when updates download but fail to install, or when Method 2 doesn't fully resolve the error.

Method 5: Run System File Checker

Corrupted system files can cause Error 0x80070006. Running SFC repairs corrupted files affecting Windows Update.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Press Windows + X → "Command Prompt (Admin)"
   • Click "Yes" when UAC prompts
2. Run System File Checker:
   • Type: sfc /scannow and press Enter
   • This scans and repairs corrupted system files
   • Process takes 15-30 minutes - do not interrupt
   • Wait for scan to complete
3. Review SFC results:
   • "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them" → Fixed!
   • If files were repaired, restart computer
4. Restart computer:
   • Restart to apply all repairs
   • After restart, try Windows Update again
   • Error 0x80070006 should be resolved

Why this works: Corrupted system files can prevent Windows Update from functioning properly. SFC repairs corrupted files, restoring Windows Update functionality and resolving Error 0x80070006.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

Check Disk Health

Failing storage drives can cause file system errors. Check disk health using built-in tools or third-party disk health monitoring software. Replace failing drives before they cause data loss.

Check Windows Event Viewer

Event Viewer provides detailed error information. Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc), check Windows Logs → System for disk or file system errors around the time Error 0x80070006 appeared.

Run DISM

If SFC doesn't resolve the error, run DISM to repair component store: Open Command Prompt as Administrator, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, press Enter, wait for completion, then try Windows Update again.

Prevention Strategies

• Maintain sufficient disk space: Keep at least 10GB free space on system drive
• Run disk cleanup regularly: Use Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files and old updates
• Check disk health: Regularly run chkdsk to catch disk errors early
• Keep Windows Update healthy: Reset Windows Update service periodically
• Don't interrupt updates: Never turn off computer during update installation
• Monitor disk space: Set up disk space alerts to prevent running out of space
• Keep system maintained: Regular system maintenance prevents update issues

When to Seek Professional Help

If all methods fail to resolve Error 0x80070006, consider these scenarios:

• Hardware failure: If storage drive is failing, professional repair or replacement may be needed
• Persistent errors after all fixes: If Error 0x80070006 persists after all methods, deeper system issues may require professional diagnostics
• Enterprise environments: In business environments, consult IT support before attempting advanced repairs
• Critical security updates needed: If critical security updates are blocked, professional support may provide faster resolution

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much disk space do I need for Windows updates?

A: Windows Update typically requires at least 10GB free space on system drive for downloading and installing updates. Feature updates may require 20GB or more. Always maintain at least 10GB free space for updates.

Q: Will clearing Windows Update cache delete my files?

A: No, clearing Windows Update cache only removes downloaded update files and cache data. Your personal files, applications, and settings are not affected. Only update download cache is cleared.

Q: Can disk errors cause Error 0x80070006?

A: Yes, file system errors and disk errors can cause Error 0x80070006 by preventing Windows Update from writing files. Run chkdsk to check and repair disk errors. If disk is failing, replace it before it causes data loss.

Q: How long does it take to fix Error 0x80070006?

A: Most fixes take 20-45 minutes. Freeing disk space takes 5-15 minutes. Resetting Windows Update service takes 5-10 minutes. Running chkdsk takes 30-60 minutes. Running SFC takes 15-30 minutes. Total time depends on which methods are needed.

Q: Will Error 0x80070006 come back after fixing?

A: Usually no, if the root cause is resolved. However, if disk space runs low again, disk errors occur, or Windows Update cache gets corrupted again, the error may return. Follow prevention strategies to avoid recurrence.