Updating Fails with Error 0x80073701

Netrick · 13 Apr 2020

Hi all. Hopefully everyone is safe and well.

I have Windows 10 version 1909 OS build 18363.720 and am experiencing a problem with Windows Update. The problem is that the 2020-03 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systems KB4541335 fails to install with error 0x80073701.

Here’s what I’ve tried so far to fix this issue with no success.
Downloaded the KB4541335 file directly from Microsoft and tried manually installing it.
Ran Windows Update Troubleshooter.
Reset Windows Update.
Ran sfc /scannow (no errors were found).

Here are my CBS log entries in case they help.
2020-04-13 12:17:41, Info CBS Exec: Processing complete. Session: 30806455_246946008, Package: Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~18362.752.1.9, Identifier: KB4541335 [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]
2020-04-13 12:17:41, Info CBS Removing the pending hard reserve adjustment for Client: UpdateAgentLCU, Session: 30806455_246946008
2020-04-13 12:17:41, Error CBS Failed to perform operation. [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]
2020-04-13 12:17:41, Info CBS Session: 30806455_246946008 finalized. Reboot required: no [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]
2020-04-13 12:17:41, Info CBS Failed finalizing session [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]
2020-04-13 12:17:41, Info CBS Failed to call Process on TiWorker session [HRESULT = 0x80073701]
2020-04-13 12:20:02, Info CBS Trusted Installer is shutting down because: SHUTDOWN_REASON_AUTOSTOP
2020-04-13 12:20:02, Info CBS Maint: idle processing paused
2020-04-13 12:20:02, Info CBS TiWorker signaled for shutdown, going to exit.

I would welcome any advice on how this might get resolved. Thanks.

dalchina · 13 Apr 2020

Hi, there appear to be errors in your log. What was the final statement on the screen?

Looks like the two key things are the error number 0x80073701
and ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING

Have you also checked absolute basics:
- check your disk (e.g. HDTune v2.55 free Health and Error Scan tabs
- if ok, run
chkdsk c: /scan
from an admin command or Powershell prompt

Post the summary results of those.

If ok please run this MS tool and post summary results:
How to Fix Your Windows 10 Update Errors With SetupDiag

Given your consistent error number see
3 Solutions to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80073701

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-updates-failed-to-install-error-0x80073701

Note how this refers to part of your CBS.log

When you open the CBS logs, search for the words “ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING,” and check if there is any KB update related to it. Uninstall it, an reinstall using Windows Update.

If all else fails, resort to an in-place upgrade repair install which keeps all progs and data and most settings. Tutorial available.

Netrick · 14 Apr 2020

Hi. I really appreciate your response. I followed your advice and these are the results so far.

I downloaded HDTune v2.55 and the Health Status shows OK. The Error Scan shows all green with no damaged blocks.
chkdsk c: /scan found no problems with the file system and zero kb in bad sectors.
SetupDiag log gets created when I run it, but it is empty so it is not yielding the expected results for me. I have .NET Frameworks version 4.8.03752 which should be compatible for this program. I am not sure what the issue is there.
I re-ran sfc /scannow, Update Troublshooter, and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth – no issues found.
I also did not see any other KB other than KB4541335 associated with the error in the CBS log.

I think I may be at the step to try upgrade repair install that you recommended as a last resort.

Thanks.

dalchina · 14 Apr 2020

It's a fairly straightforward procedure. Very like a feature update (upgrade) bar the novel 1903-1909 one.

As ever, before any major change, make sure you have a current disk image of Windows.

Netrick · 14 Apr 2020

I finished with the upgrade repair install and windows update is now clear of errors. I was also able to get the latest 2020-04 cumulative update KB4549951 installed successfully. I also re-ran SetupDiag and this time I got results in the log that showed everything completed successfully. So I definitely had issues that are now corrected. Thanks very much for your help.

dalchina · 14 Apr 2020

Now before anything else goew wrong, start a new sequence of disk imaging- all the partitions comprising Windows, and any other partition you wish, saved to large enough external storage.

Netrick · 14 Apr 2020

dalchina said:

Now before anything else goew wrong, start a new sequence of disk imaging- all the partitions comprising Windows, and any other partition you wish, saved to large enough external storage.

Great advice.