How to Troubleshoot Install Error – 0x80070103 in Windows 10/11

What Does Install Error – 0x80070103 Means

The install error – 0x80070103 often means that Windows Update tried to install a driver on your PC, but it found that the driver is already installed or incompatible.

It is not a serious problem. It’s safe to ignore it if your computer is working fine.

What Causes Install Error – 0x80070103 in Windows 10/11

Various reasons may cause the error, including:

• Already installed/incompatible driver
• Corrupted update cache
• Corrupted system files
• Software conflicts

Suggestion: Back Up Important Data Before Fixing the Error

Backing up files is crucial because it protects your vital digital files from permanent loss due to hardware failure, ransomware, viruses, or simple human error, such as accidental deletion.

It serves as a safety net to restore data and ensure business continuity, saving time, money, and irreplaceable memories or work.

For data backup, use the PC backup software, such as MiniTool ShadowMaker. Here is how to back up files:

Step 1. Download and install MiniTool ShadowMaker on your computer.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 2. Launch this software and select Backup from the left panel.

Step 3. Go to SOURCE and select Folders and Files. Next, tick the boxes next to the files that you want to back up and click OK to proceed.

Step 4. Enter the DESTINATION section, choose a preferred location to store backup files, and then click OK.

Step 5. Click Back Up Now and OK to confirm.

How to Troubleshoot Install Error – 0x80070103 in Windows 10/11

To fix the install error 0x80070103, try blocking automatic driver updates, running Windows Update Troubleshooter, manually installing/hiding the update, and using the Windows Media Creation tool to reinstall Windows.

Solution 1. Restart PC

Restarting a PC often fixes temporary glitches, freezes, or minor errors by clearing memory (RAM) and resetting processes.

Hence, when you encounter the Windows update install error 0x80070103 in Windows 10/11, try restarting your PC. If the error persists, continue and try the other solutions.

Solution 2. Pause & Resume Updates

Sometimes, pausing and resuming updates may force Windows to refresh the update and might remove incompatible or corrupted data. Here’s the guide:

Step 1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

Step 2. Navigate to Windows Update and find Pause updates in the More options section.

Step 3. Expand the drop-down menu to select a preferred time.

• Pause for 1 week
• Pause for 2 weeks
• Pause for 3 weeks
• Pause for 4 weeks
• Pause for 5 weeks

Step 4. Now, the window will show a message like “Updates paused until x/x/x”. Then, click Resume updates next to this sentence.

Step 5. Wait for Windows to check for updates. Next, it should no longer display the problematic driver update.

Solution 3. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows Update Troubleshooter is a built-in Windows tool that can help you to find and fix common issues that prevent updates from installing. In this circumstance, try running this tool to troubleshoot Windows update error 0x80070103. Here’s the tutorial:

Step 1. Press Win + X to open Settings.

Step 2. Go to System. Then, in the right panel, scroll down and select Troubleshoot.

Step 3. Choose Other troubleshooter, find Windows Update under the Most frequent section, and then click the Run button next to it.

Step 4. Follow any further on-screen instructions. After the process finishes, restart your PC and check if the error is fixed.

Solution 4. Disable Driver Updates via Group Policy

Disabling driver updates via Group Policy is also a good way to solve Windows update error 0x80070103. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1. Open Run, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open Local Group Policy.

Step 2. Navigate to this path: Computer Configuration >Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update.

Step 3. Enter Manage updates offered from Windows Update, right-click Do not include drivers with Windows Updates, and select Edit.

Step 4. In the pop-up window, select the Enabled option. Then, click Apply and OK sequentially to save the changes.

Solution 5. Use Device Manager

Device Manager is a built-in Windows tool that provides a central view of all hardware connected to your computer, allowing you to view and manage drivers. To resolve the error, reinstall the problematic drivers. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1. Open Settings and go to Windows Update > Update history.

Step 2. Find and note the driver that is causing the 0x80070103 error.

Step 3. Press Win + X to open Quick Link and select Device Manager from the menu.

Step 4. Locate the driver you previously noted, right-click it, and then select Uninstall device.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Then, reboot the computer, and Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

Solution 6. Restart the Windows Update Service

Restarting the Windows Update service can sometimes fix the Windows update install error 0x80070103. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Open Run, type services.msc and press Enter.

Step 2. Find Windows Update from the services list.

Step 3. Right-click it and select Stop. Wait for a while, right-click it again, and select Restart.

Step 4. Once done, restart the PC and check if the install error – 0x80070103 is fixed.

Solution 7. Install the Optional Update

Error 0x80070103 typically occurs when Windows Update attempts to install a driver that is already present or outdated. Manually selecting the driver from the Optional updates list forces the system to recognize and sync the correct version. Here’s how to perform that:

Step 1. Open Settings.

Step 2. Go to Windows Update and select Advanced options.

Step 3. Under Additional options, click Optional updates.

Step 4. Check the updates that you want to install and click Download & install. Then, follow the on-screen guide to complete the process.

Once done, reboot your PC and check if the error has been resolved.

Solution 8. Reset Update Components

Windows Update components on the PC are responsible for downloading and installing updates. If any of these components have become damaged or corrupted, it is easy to encounter various errors, including the Windows update install error 0x80070103.

To resolve the issue, run a few commands in an elevated Command Prompt to reset Windows Update components.

Step 1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

Step 2. Run the following commands one by one to stop all update-related services:

• net stop wuauserv
• net stop cryptSvc
• net stop bits
• net stop msiserver

Step 3. Type Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old and press Enter to recreate the folder.

Step 4. Execute the command Ren C:\Windows\System32\atroot2 Catroot2.old to recreate the folder.

Step 5. Continue with the following commands 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 if the install error 0x80070103 appears again.

Solution 9. Run SFC and DISM

Corrupted system files or a damaged Windows image can prevent your computer from installing driver updates or Windows updates properly, leading to install error – 0x80070103.

SFC and DISM scans can repair corrupted system files and restore the health of the Windows image. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Press Win + S to open Search and type cmd.

Step 2. Find Command Prompt under Best Match, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.

Step 3. In the elevated Command Prompt window, run the commands below one by one to perform a DISM scan:

• DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
• DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
• DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 4. Once finished, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Solution 10. Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus Software

Sometimes, third-party antivirus software on your computer may interfere with Windows operating process, including downloading and installing the latest updates. In this case, try temporarily disabling this app to solve the error. Here’s the process:

Step 1. Find the third-party antivirus icon in the system tray.

Step 2. Right-click it and select an option like Pause Protection, Disable, Control Shields, or Turn Off.

Step 3. Configure how long you want to keep it disabled and click OK or Yes to confirm.

Step 4. Go to the Windows Update page and check if the install error – 0x80070103 is still here.

Solution 11. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot isolates third-party software conflicts by starting Windows with only the most basic drivers and programs. Hence, performing a clean boot can help you find out the culprit of the install error – 0x80070103. Here’s the guide:

Step 1. Open Run, type msconfig, and press Enter to open the System Configuration window.

Step 2. Go to the Services tab and check the Hide all Microsoft services option. Then, click Disable all and click Apply.

Step 3. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.

Step 4. Right-click the applications you suspect and select Disable. After that, exit Task Manager and click OK under the Startup tab.

Then, your computer will restart into a clean boot environment. Now, try running Windows Update again and check if the issue has been resolved.

Step 5. If yes, it means that the culprit is third-party programs. Then, try to find out the culprit and boot into normal Windows.

Solution 12. Use Windows Media Creation Tool

If none of the above solutions can help you troubleshoot the install error 0x80070193 in Windows 11/10, try using the Windows Media Creation tool to update Windows. Here’s how to perform that:

Step 1. Download the Media Creation tool from Microsoft’s website and run the file.

• Download Windows 10
• Download Windows 11

Step 2. Agree to the Applicable notices and license terms.

Step 3. Check Upgrade this PC now and click Next.

Step 4. Now, select Keep personal files and apps and click Next.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows on your PC. Now, the 0x80070103 error is fixed successfully.

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To Sum Up

In conclusion, this post offers several methods to fix install error – 0x80070103. Try the mentioned solutions one by one until you fix the error successfully.

Additionally, remember to back up your data with MiniTool ShadowMaker before trying these fixes to avoid data loss.

If you encounter any issues or have any suggestions while using this software, contact us by sending an email to [email protected].

Install Error – 0x80070103 FAQ