Can't check for new Windows Updates - Error 80073701

Lea Massiot · 24 Oct 2014

Hello,

I have a problem with "Windows Update":
- I have the message: "Windows couldn't check for updates automatically" in "Action Center" ;
- and I can't check for new updates manually.

My machine is not brand new but not old either: "Windows Update" used to work properly.
The OS is "Windows 7 Professional 64 bit" with SP1.
Like I just wrote, automatic updates used to work properly:
"Most recent check for updates": 2014-08-27 at 11:12 AM
"Updates were installed" : 2014-10-12 at 10:32 PM

When I go to:
"Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Windows Update"

And click "Check for updates".

I get the following message:

"Install new Windows Update software"
"To check for updates, you must first install an update for Windows Update."
"Your automatic updating settings will not change."

I click the button "Install now".

After a little while, I get this message:

Code:

Windows couldn't search for new updates
An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer.
Error(s) found:
Code 80073701  Windows Update encountered an unknown error.

How can this problem be fixed?
Best regards.

Lea Massiot · 24 Oct 2014

Additional note:
I also tried to run "Windows6.1-KB947821-v33-x64.msu".
I interrupted it abruptly because I wanted to run it as administrator.
Now, when I try to run it again I get the error:
Installer encountered an error: 0x80240009

Thanks for helping.

NoelDP · 26 Oct 2014

Reboot, then
Please follow the Windows Update Posting Instructions and post the requested data
If the file is too large (8MB compressed), remove the older CBSPersist cab files until the final file is below the limit - you can always post them separately after zipping them. (the forum doesn't allow the upload of bare CAB files, for a number of reasons)

Lea Massiot · 26 Oct 2014

Please find a .zip file attached.
I removed the .cab files: I don't know if you need them or not.

NoelDP · 26 Oct 2014

We can get away without them for the moment - although the most recent of them would be useful.

The CheckSUR is clear of errrors - but there are some serious errors in the GBS.log background.

Code:

2014-10-24 15:57:52, Info                  CSI    00000029 Performing 1 operations; 1 are not lock/unlock and follow:
  Stage (1): flags: 8 app: [Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient-Aux.Deployment-LanguagePack, Version = 7.6.7600.320, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_AMD64 (9), Culture = [l:10{5}]"ru-RU", VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral]) comp: (null) man: @0x1997b78
2014-10-24 15:57:52, Info                  CBS    Exec: Resolving Package: WUClient-SelfUpdate-Aux-AuxComp~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~zh-TW~7.6.7600.256, Update: Aux
2014-10-24 15:57:52, Info                  CBS    Exec: Resolving Package: WUClient-SelfUpdate-Aux-AuxComp~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~zh-TW~7.6.7600.256, Update: Aux, PinDeployment: amd64_microsoft-windows-w..oyment-languagepack_31bf3856ad364e35_7.6.7600.256_zh-tw_e2a4fe2ca4659272
2014-10-24 15:57:52, Error                 CSI    0000002a@2014/10/24:13:57:52.557 (F) d:\win7sp1_gdr\base\wcp\componentstore\csd_locking.cpp(324): Error STATUS_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING originated in function CCSDirectTransaction::LockComponent expression: (null)
[gle=0x80004005]
2014-10-24 15:58:06, Error                 CSI    0000002b (F) STATUS_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING #16768# from CCSDirectTransaction::OperateEnding at index 0 of 1 operations, disposition 2[gle=0xd015000c]
2014-10-24 15:58:06, Error                 CSI    0000002c (F) HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING) #16653# from Windows::ServicingAPI::CCSITransaction::ICSITransaction_PinDeployment(Flags = 0, a = Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient-Aux.Deployment-LanguagePack, Version = 7.6.7600.256, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_AMD64 (9), Culture = [l:10{5}]"zh-TW", VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral, cb = (null), s = (null), rid = [77]"WUClient-SelfUpdate-Aux-AuxComp~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~zh-TW~7.6.7600.256.Aux", rah = [2]"32", manpath = (null), catpath = (null), ed = 0, disp = 0)[gle=0x80073701]
2014-10-24 15:58:06, Info                  CBS    Failed to pin deployment while resolving Update: Aux from file: (null) [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]
2014-10-24 15:58:06, Info                  CBS    Failed to resolve item[0] in Package: WUClient-SelfUpdate-Aux-AuxComp~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~zh-TW~7.6.7600.256, Update: Aux [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]

Ordinarily, I'd say try uninstalling the affected update - but this particular one isn't uninstallable

I'm going to ask for help, so don't run away

Lea Massiot · 26 Oct 2014

Please find attached the most recent .cab file.

Lea Massiot · 04 Nov 2014

So? My problem is not solved. Could you get some help?
Thanks. Best regards.

NoelDP · 04 Nov 2014

Sorry - I did ask but I've had no feedback yet

I'll try again.

If we hear nothing by tomorrow, I suspect that your best option is going to be a repair install.

Lea Massiot · 04 Nov 2014

I just would like to mention that I did nothing wrong with my computer.
I take great care of it because it's my machine work.
I won't do anything dangerous to repair it.
I prefer not to get updates.
Thank you for your understanding.
Hoping to get a nice solution for that problem :)
Best regards.

NoelDP · 04 Nov 2014

Probably not your fault - sometimes, stuff like this 'just happens'