Solved: How to Fix the Issue Caused by Error Code 0x8000700B in Windows Update

Error Code 0x8000700B Summary

The error code 0x8000700B, commonly known as HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(ERROR_BAD_NETPATH), is encountered when Windows attempts to communicate with a network path or resource that does not exist. This could involve issues such as an incorrect server name, a disconnected network cable, or misconfigured network settings. The error often appears during operations like mapping drives, accessing shared folders, installing updates from the internet, or initiating software installation processes via a network source.

This HRESULT (Hexadecimal Result) translates to a Win32 error code, specifically ERROR_BAD_NETPATH which indicates that Windows cannot find the specified path on the network. This can occur in various scenarios, such as attempting to connect to an outdated or incorrect server address, problems with DNS resolution preventing proper connection establishment, issues related to network topology changes (like moving from one subnet to another), and connectivity issues stemming from hardware failures like a malfunctioning NIC card or faulty cables.

To resolve the error 0x8000700B, follow these detailed steps:

  1. Verify that the target path exists on the network and is accessible. Ensure that you have spelled the server or share name correctly.
  2. If the path is correct, check your network connectivity by pinging the server to confirm it is reachable. Use command prompt with the ping [server-name] command.
  3. Check if your DNS settings are configured properly and can resolve hostnames or IP addresses to their respective locations on the network. Try flushing the DNS cache using ipconfig /flushdns.
  4. Examine the configuration of any firewalls, whether they be software (Windows Firewall) or hardware devices like routers, which may block access to certain resources.
  5. If connecting via a mapped drive, disconnect and reconnect it by right-clicking on ‘Computer’ in Windows Explorer, selecting Map Network Drive, choosing an available drive letter, entering the network path manually again, and making sure all necessary options are checked (e.g., Reconnect at sign-in).

Description of Error Code 0x8000700B and Common Scenarios Where It Appears

This error can occur across various computing contexts where network communication is involved. Common instances include:

  • When attempting to connect to a network share on another computer or server.
  • In the process of running system updates, especially when these updates are supposed to be downloaded from an internal or external update site.
  • During installation procedures of software that require accessing files stored in a remote location (such as over HTTP/FTP).
  • If you experience problems while trying to access cloud services or SaaS applications hosted on servers outside your local network.

These situations typically involve issues with connectivity between devices, improper configuration settings affecting communication protocols used for data exchange, and occasionally due to security measures implemented at organizational levels that restrict unauthorized access attempts. Identifying the exact cause necessitates examining both the client-side environment where you encounter this error along with configurations on remote servers or network infrastructure components such as switches and routers.

Howto solve error code 0x8000700B

To resolve the issue 0x8000700B, follow these steps:

  1. Verify that the target path exists and is correctly specified. Double-check your spelling of any server names involved.
  2. Ping the server or network resource to ensure it’s reachable from your current location. Use ping [server-name].
  3. If DNS resolution appears faulty, flush your DNS cache through Command Prompt using ipconfig /flushdns. This helps in clearing out old and potentially incorrect IP address records.
  4. Review firewall settings to make sure they are not blocking access to the required network resources. Adjust rules as necessary for inbound and outbound traffic relevant to the problematic path.
  5. If you’re dealing with a mapped drive issue, manually disconnect it from File Explorer (right-click & select Disconnect), then reconnect using Map Network Drive feature, specifying all details again meticulously.

These instructions aim at addressing common culprits behind this error code and should generally help in troubleshooting most issues related to incorrect network paths or connectivity failures.

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