How to Fix the Install Error 0x80070103 in Windows 11? [8 Ways]

One of the Windows update or install errors on Windows 11 is 0x80070103. The error impacts all the available updates and only displays the “Install error” text. This post from MiniTool provides solutions to the install error 0x80070103 in Windows 11.

Some Windows users report that they receive the “install error 0x80070103 when they try to update their Windows 11. This error usually occurs because Windows 11 is trying to install a driver already installed on the system or was incompatible with it during Windows Update.

Other potential culprits can cause the update error 0x80070103 error in your Windows 11, including:

Corrupted/damaged system files.
The driver is in use during the update.
Update cache data corrupted or damaged.
Update service stopped/disabled.

Also see:

Now, let’s see how to get rid of the “install error 0x80070103” error on Windows 11.

How to Fix Install Error 0x80070103 in Windows 11

Fix 1: Pause and Resume Windows Updates

Before trying the following fixes, try this simple fix. Click the Retry option on the update that encountered an error when trying to install it. Then, pause the update once and resume immediately. Then, you can check if the issue has gone. If not, continue to read.

Fix 2: Manually Install the Update

Another way to complete the installation would be to download it from the Microsoft Update Catalog and then install it manually. Follow the guide below:

Step 1: Open Settings by pressing the Windows + I keys together and click Windows Update.

Step 2: Go to the Update history part. Check if there are failed install numbers.

Step 3: Copy the failed update number. Go to Microsoft Update Catalog and search for the update number.

Step 4: Download it on your PC. Then double-click to launch the installer and then update it.

Fix 3: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows Update Troubleshooter is a practical built-in tool that enables you to detect and fix errors related to corrupted updates or other Windows updates issues. So, you can try running the troubleshooter to fix the “install error 0x80070103 in Windows 11”. Here’s a tutorial.

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open the Settings application, and then select System from the left vertical menu and click Troubleshoot from the right menu.

Step 2: Click Other troubleshooters to expand all troubleshooters, and then click Run next to the Windows Update section.

Step 3: Now, this troubleshooter will scan issues associated with the Windows Update components. If any fixes are identified, click on Apply this fix and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair.

Fix 4: Restart the Windows Update Service

Sometimes simply restarting the Windows Update service might help you to resolve the install error 0x80070103 in Windows 11. Here are the instructions:

Step 1: Press the Windows and R keys at the same time to open the Run dialogue box. Type services.msc and click OK to open the Services application.

Step 2: From the list of applications, right-click Windows Update to select Stop.

Step 3: Then, right-click Windows Update again. This time click Restart.

Once done, restart the computer and check if the install error 0x80070103 is eliminated.

Fix 5: Install the Optional Update

Apart from installing major updates, Windows can sometimes generate updates for upgrading drivers separately. And since the 0x80070103 error is related to problems with drivers, this solution could be effective. Try to follow the steps listed below:

Step 1: Press Windows + I keys to open the Settings window.

Step 2: In the Settings window, select the Windows Update option at the bottom of the left panel and scroll down the right sidebar, and click on Advanced options.

Step 3: Go to the Additional updates section from the left pane and click Optional updates.

Step 4: Select the drivers or other optional updates that you want to install and click the Download & install button.

Step 5: Then Windows 11 will automatically download and install your selected updates. Of course, you may need to reboot your system to execute these changes depending on the updates.

Fix 6: Run SFC and DISM

Another common cause for install error 0x80070103 is related to your system files. To scan and repair your system files, you can try running an SFC (System File Checker) or DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scan. Here is how to do that:

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box on the taskbar, and then right-click the Command Prompt app and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type sfc /scannow command in the elevated command prompt. This process may take you much time to scan, please wait patiently.

Step 3: If the SFC scan doesn’t work, you can try running the command below in the elevated Command Prompt window.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once done, reboot your PC and check if the install error 0x80070103 gets fixed.

Fix 7: Delete the SoftwareDistribution Folder

In this section, we walk through the second method – delete the SoftwareDistribution folder to fix the update issue. To do that, you can follow the steps.

Step 1: Type Command Prompt in the Search menu. Then right-click it to choose Run as administrator:

Step 2: Run the following commands one by one and press Enter:

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptSvc

net stop bits

net stop msiserver

Step 3: Now go to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder and delete all the files & folders inside by pressing the Ctrl+A keys to select all and then right-clicking to choose Delete.

After emptying this folder, you can either restart your computer or type the following command one by one in Command Prompt and press Enter to restart Windows Update related services:

net start wuauserv

net start cryptSvc

net start bits

net start msiserver

Now, run Windows Update again and check to see if you still meet the install error 0x80070103 in Windows 11 issue. If the error still exists, try the next fix – repair corrupted system files.

Fix 8: Use Windows 11 Media Creation Tool

When the install error 0x80070103 in Windows 11 appears, you can try using the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool to reinstall your Windows. Here is how to do that:

Tips:

Before you start the following steps, you had better back up all the important files on your system disk. This post - How to Back up Computer? Here Is a Guide for Windows and Mac maybe is what you need.

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft‘s official website.

Step 2: Navigate to the media creation tool you’ve downloaded > run it > accept the license terms.

Two options are offered in the What do you want to do window.

Option 1: Upgrade This PC Now

Check Upgrade this PC now and click Next.
Wait while it’s downloading Windows 11. The speed depends on your PC and the internet connection.
Wait for the settings and configurations verification.
Choose to Keep personal files and apps, Keep personal files only, or keep Nothing. Then, click Next.
Follow the on-screen instructions to finish installing Windows 11 on your PC.

Option 2: Create Installation Media

Check Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD or ISO file) for another PC and click Next.
Select Language, Edition, and Architecture manually or check Use the recommended options for this PC.
Click Next.
In the Choose which media to use page, please select USB flash drive or ISO file. Please connect the USB drive you prepare in advance if you select a USB flash drive.
Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the rest steps.

Suggestion: Back up Your PC Before Updating Windows 11

Before any operations to the Windows operating system like Windows update, it is advised to back up your PC since Windows updates can lead to some issues. Besides, you can choose to back up your important data regularly to keep files safe.

To do this work, MiniTool ShadowMaker is a good assistant that can be compatible with Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7. With it, you can back up and restore files, folders, disks, partitions, and Windows systems. Besides, you can use it to clone your hard drive and sync files.

This backup software offers a Trial Edition that allows a 30-day free trial for all backup features. If you want to use it permanently, get its Pro Edition. Now you can download and try MiniTool ShadowMaker to back up your system.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 1: Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial Edition in Windows 11.

Step 2: Go to the Backup interface, you can see system partitions are selected as the backup source. If you need to back up files, click SOURCE > Folders and Files to select items you want to back up.

Step 3: You only need to click DESTINATION to choose a path to save the system image file. It’s highly recommended to choose an external hard drive as the destination.

Step 4: Click Back Up Now to execute the backup task at once or click Back Up Later to delay the backup task.

After that, you are advised to click Tools > Media Builder to create a bootable medium with a USB hard drive, USB flash drive, or CD/DVD disc.

Bottom Line

Are you bothered by the install error 0x80070103 in Windows 11? If you run into the error code during the update process, try the solutions above to easily get rid of that trouble. If you have any other ways to solve the update issue, leave a comment below. Thanks in advance.

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Position: Columnist

Having been an editor at MiniTool since graduating college as an English major, Daisy specializes in writing about data backups, disk cloning, and file syncing as well as general computer knowledge and issues. In her free time, Daisy enjoys running and going with friends to the amusement park.