Windows Update Error ‘0x8007006E’: Easy Ways To Fix

How do I fix error code 0x8007006E?

When you encounter Windows update error 0x8007006E, the intended update couldn’t be installed correctly. This can prevent your system from receiving essential security patches and feature upgrades for optimal performance.

Several factors can contribute to this error, including system file corruption. Over time, after numerous software installations and removals, certain system files may become corrupted, leading to issues like Windows Update error code 0x8007006E. Additionally, inherent problems with Windows Update components can also trigger this error. Users might face difficulties if Windows Update fails or related backend services fail.

Typically, Windows update error 0x8007006E is caused by the following factors:

• Antivirus Interference: Third-party security tools can disrupt Windows Update.
• Corrupted Windows Update Components: Another potential cause is corrupted files within the Windows Update component, preventing its functioning.
• System File Corruption: It’s also possible that a general corruption error within your operating system hinders the task.

Now that we’ve identified potential causes, let’s explore how to fix this issue.

12 Easy Solutions to Fix Windows Update error 0x8007006E 

Solution #1 – Delete and reinstall Windows updates

1. Type “cmd” in the Windows search bar. 

2. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”

3. When the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, click “Yes.”
4. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:
   • net stop wuauserv
   • net stop cryptSvc
   • net stop bits
   • net stop msiserver
   • ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   • ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
   • net start wuauserv
   • net start cryptSvc
   • net start bits
   • net start msiserver

6. Once you’ve executed these commands, close the Command Prompt and restart your PC

Solution #2 – Manually Update Your Windows

If an automatic update fails, do not worry; you can manually download the specific update directly from Microsoft’s official catalogue and install it. 

Here is how you can do it:

1. Type “Updates” in the Windows search bar and hit Enter.
2. Select “View update history.”

3. Locate the update that encountered the Windows update error 0x8007006E and note its KB number.
4. Open your web browser and navigate to the Microsoft Update Catalog.
5. In the search bar on the catalog’s website, enter the KB number and click “Search.”
6. Find the appropriate version of the update for your operating system. To check your system type, right-click the Start button and select “System.” Look under “Device specifications” for the “System type.”

7. Click “Download” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. Afterwards, restart your computer to apply the update.

Solution #3 – Restart relevant services

Restarting certain services can refresh the connection and resolve underlying issues.

Here are the steps on how to restart a specific service to fix Windows update error 0x8007006E:

1. Type “Services” into the Windows search bar and press Enter.

2. Scroll down until you locate “Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS).”

3. If this service is already running, right-click on it and select “Restart.” If this is not running, then start this by simply clicking.

4. Double-click on the service, and choose “Automatic” from the “Startup type” drop-down menu.
5. Click on “Start,” then press “Apply,” and finally, click “OK.”
6. Repeat this procedure for the “Windows Update” and “Cryptographic” services.

These steps will restart the services and resolve Windows update error code 0x8007006E.

Solution #4 – Run Windows update troubleshooter

If nothing works from above, let us begin by using the Windows Update troubleshooter to check if it can fix this issue without needing more complex troubleshooting steps.

Since Windows update errors can stem from various potential causes, running the Windows Update Troubleshooter is a good idea to detect any issues that might affect the update’s functionality. 

When the troubleshooter detects a situation that matches one of its repair strategies, it automatically applies the appropriate fix.

To run the Windows Update troubleshooter, follow these steps:

1. Open the” Start menu” and click on “Settings”.

2. Navigate to “Update & Security“, then select” Troubleshoot”.

3. On the right side, under “Get up and running,” click the “Additional Troubleshooters link.”
4. Choose “Windows Update” from the list.

5. Click the Run the Troubleshooter button.

Suppose this troubleshooter does not automatically apply a fix. Then, you can manually click the “Apply this fix” button.

Solution #5 – Perform Disk Cleanup

Installing the latest updates successfully relies on having enough free storage space on your computer. When your device runs out of disk space, you may encounter Windows error 0x8007006E.

Here’s a simple way to clean up your Windows computer:

1. Type “Disk Cleanup” in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
2. Choose your main drive (usually labelled C:).

3. Check the boxes next to the types of files you want to delete, such as Temporary files or the Recycle Bin, and then click OK.
4. If you need to free up even more space, select the option to “Clean up system files” within the Disk Cleanup window.

5. Select your main drive again – Windows will determine how much space you need back.
6. Windows Update and Delivery Optimization usually have the biggest dumps, but Temporary files can also take a lot if they are not cleaned. 
7. Just pick the fields you want, click OK, and Windows will remove all these files.

Following these steps, you can efficiently resolve Windows update error 0x8007006E and keep your system running smoothly.

Solution #6 – Use Media Creation Tool

You can use the Media Creation Tool to create Windows installation media for updating or reinstalling.

1. Visit the official Microsoft website and download installation media.

2. Double-click the installer and confirm “Yes” when the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears. Next, agree to the terms.

3. Choose “Upgrade this PC now” and click “Next.”
4. Windows will initiate the required file download.
5. Once you agree to the terms, click “Next.”

6. Before installing, review your selections to ensure they align with your preferences (you can click “Change what to keep” if necessary).
7. Just click “Install.”

Solution #7 – Run SFC and DISM scans

You may also experience Windows Update errors if your system files are corrupted. Therefore, you can fix the problem using SFC (System File Checker). Afterward, you can update your Windows operating system because it fixes corrupt or missing files.

I would also recommend running a DISM scan. You can fix WIM files with Microsoft’s DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management). A WIM file manages drivers and Windows Update components. There is a chance Windows Update will be affected if this file is corrupted.

Solution #8 – Delete WUServer and WStatusServer from the Registry

If you are still getting this Windows Update error 0x8007006E despite trying the above fixes, then deleting the WUServer and WStatusServer entries from the Windows Registry might help. The following instructions will help you with that:

1. Type regedit in Windows’ Search box and press Enter. It will open the Registry Editor window.

2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

Check if WUServer and WStatusServer entries are available in the right section. If so, delete them and restart your computer.

Solution #9 – Run an In-place Upgrade

If the above-mentioned solutions don’t resolve your problem, you might consider performing an in-place upgrade. This upgrade takes your system to the next feature update level. Just ensure you have a stable internet connection, as it’s necessary for this process. 

Although the in-place upgrade doesn’t delete your data, it’s always a wise precaution to back up all your data before proceeding.

Solution #10 – Disable Antivirus Temporarily 

Another common cause of Windows update error 0x8007006E appears to be third-party software that interferes with Windows update installation. If you’re using a third-party antivirus program, it’s advisable to disable it temporarily and then install the updates again.

Furthermore, you may want to explore the option of uninstalling third-party software altogether and relying on Windows Defender Firewall as a suitable alternative. This can often resolve Windows update error 0x8007006E and allow smoother updates.

Solution #11 – Clear the Software Distribution Folder

Windows Update keeps installation files in the Software Distribution folder before using them for updates or upgrades. Typically, these files are removed after the installation process is complete.

However, in some cases, these old installation files aren’t deleted and continue to occupy space in this folder. This prevents the latest ones from being downloaded.

Disk Cleanup is a tool that scans various Windows Update locations to clear files, but it might miss some files in this folder. You can use a specific command to clear this folder if that occurs.

Here’s how to do it. To apply this method, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key and type “CMD.”
2. Right-click on the Command Prompt and choose “Run as administrator.” Click Yes on the User Account Control (UAC) prompt.

3. Stop the Windows Update service by typing the following command in the cmd window and pressing Enter:
   • net stop wuauserv
4. To clear the Software Distribution folder, run this command:
   • rd /s /q %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution
5. Next, restart the Windows Update service with this command:
   • net start wuauserv
6. Close the Command Prompt. 
7. Run the update to see if the issue is fixed.

Solution #12 – Perform a Clean Boot

Our final and detailed method to fix Windows update error 0x8007006E involves a Clean Boot. Clean boot is a mode in Windows that starts the system with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, disabling all third-party and non-essential items. This creates a clean environment ideal for troubleshooting.

Here are the steps to perform a clean boot:

1. Press the Windows key and type “msconfig”.
2. Select System Configuration from the search results.
3. System Configuration: go to the Services tab.

4. Check the box that says “Hide all Microsoft services”.

5. Click the “Disable all” button.

6. Move to the Startup tab.
7. Click on the “Open Task Manager” link.

8. Task Manager disables every startup program. Right-click on a program and select “Disable”.

9. Return to the Startup tab in System Configuration.
10. Click Apply and OK.
11. Restart your computer when prompted.

After restarting, you will need to update Windows through Windows Update. If the update succeeds, you can exit clean boot mode and return to the Windows environment.

To revert to normal startup mode, follow these steps:

1. Click back to System Configuration.
2. In the General tab, check “Normal Startup”.

3. Switch to the Services tab and uncheck “Hide all Microsoft services”.
4. In the Startup tab, open Task Manager.
5. Enable the startup items you previously disabled.
6. Return to System Configuration.
7. Click Apply and OK.
8. Restart your computer.

Conclusion

There, you now have a comprehensive guide on how to get the Windows update error 0x8007006E fixed. I have covered several methods, including cleaning up disk space, resetting Windows Update components, and performing a clean boot. These steps should help you resolve the issue and ensure Windows updates run smoothly.

If, despite your best efforts, the problem persists, there is no need to worry. You can use our trusted Windows repair tool, recommended below. This tool has been tested and trusted by authorized technicians and thousands of users for automatically resolving common system issues. It’s a reliable option to ensure your Windows system functions optimally.