Solved: Troubleshooting Guide for Error Code 0x80070645 in Windows Updates

Error Code 0x80070645 Summary

The error code 0x80070645 typically indicates an issue with the Windows Update service or system files. This problem often arises when trying to install updates, repair installations, or restore system files on a Windows operating system. The root cause can vary widely, from corrupted system files and conflicting software to issues with network settings or user permissions.

This error is commonly encountered during operations such as:

  • Installing critical Windows updates.
  • Troubleshooting problems with the Windows Update service.
  • Running System File Checker (SFC) or Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM).

It can also occur when attempting to reinstall Windows, especially during the process of repairing an existing installation without completely erasing it. The error might surface if there are issues with downloading updates from Microsoft’s servers due to network restrictions or firewall settings.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly at startup to enter Safe Mode.
  2. Once in Safe Mode, check for Windows Update again. This bypasses potential software conflicts that might cause the error.
  3. If the problem persists, open Command Prompt with administrator privileges and run: sfc /scannow.
  4. In the same command prompt window, execute DISM tool to repair corrupted system files:
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  5. If errors remain, download the Windows Recovery Environment (WER) ISO and use it to repair your installation.
  6. In case of network issues, disable any third-party firewalls or antivirus software temporarily while running Windows Update.

Description of Error Code 0x80070645 and Common Appearance Locations

The error 0x80070645 usually appears in contexts related to system updates or maintenance activities on a Windows machine. This can happen when trying to install critical updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog, attempting to repair or restore your operating system through the Command Prompt with administrative rights, performing a System Restore operation, or during the installation process of certain software that interacts closely with the system files and update services.

Furthermore, this error might be triggered in situations where specific components within the Windows environment are malfunctioning. These include:

  • The Windows Update service (wuauserv) failing to start or operate correctly.
  • Incompatibilities between different software packages installed on your computer.

Additionally, network settings that restrict access to Microsoft’s update servers can lead to this error occurring during the installation process of updates. Other causes may include corruption within system files and permissions issues where the user account lacks necessary administrative privileges for updating or repairing Windows.

This issue can also arise when trying to perform a clean boot on Windows, which is designed to start your computer with only the most basic drivers and startup programs. This mode of operation is often used to identify software conflicts that could be causing issues like 0x80070645 during normal operations.

Another scenario where this error can occur involves attempting to set up a network or access shared resources on other machines within the same network, particularly when these actions are restricted by group policy settings or local firewall configurations. It’s also possible that this error might appear if there is an issue with the Windows Update Catalog, either due to network connectivity problems or because of limitations placed by your organization’s IT policies.

The error can also come up during processes such as:

  • Attempting to install updates from a specific source other than Microsoft’s official servers.
  • Running system diagnostics that rely on the Windows Update service being fully operational.

This includes running checks and repairs through tools like System File Checker (SFC) or DISM when these utilities cannot communicate effectively with the necessary resources due to network restrictions, software conflicts, or other environmental factors.

Howto solve error code 0x80070645

  1. Uninstall any recently installed software that might be conflicting with Windows Update.
  2. Check for and install all available updates from within an elevated command prompt using windowsupdate.diagcab.
  3. If issues persist, run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to repair corrupted system files:
  4. sfc /scannow
  5. Perform a clean boot on your Windows machine to identify and eliminate software conflicts.
  6. In the event of user permission problems, log in as an administrator or use the ‘Run As Administrator’ feature for commands that require elevated privileges.
  7. If you suspect network issues are causing this error, disable third-party firewalls temporarily and try running updates again.

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