[Fix] Windows Update 0x80070BC2 Error in Windows 10

When you attempt to install updates via the Windows Update channel, error 0x80070BC2 may occur and the update repeatedly fails to install. The Windows Update page may show “Awaiting restart”. And after restarting, the Windows Update installation history page shows the following error under that particular update(s):

And the Windows Event log records this error, referencing the KB number:

For example:

What does Error 0x80070BC2 mean?

0x80070BC2 is ERROR_SUCCESS_REBOOT_REQUIRED which means The requested operation is successful. Changes will not be effective until the system is rebooted.

However, in reality, the error may not go away even if you restart Windows.

How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070BC2

To fix the error 0x80070BC2 during Windows Update installation, make sure that the Windows Modules Installer (Trusted Installer) is set to Automatic start.

Note: Windows Modules Installer (Trusted Installer) service is set to Manual start by default. (Ref: Windows 10 Default Services Configuration)

Set Trusted Installer to Automatic start

To set Windows Modules Installer and other three services to Automatic start, follow these steps:

1. Right-click Start, click Run. Type Services.msc and click OK.
2. Scroll down till you find Windows Modules Installer, and double-click the service.
   
3. Set the service’s Start type to Automatic
4. Click OK.
5. Also, set the following services to Automatic start.
   • Windows Update
   • Background Intelligent Transfer Service
   • Cryptographic Services
6. Exit the Services window.

Alternately, via Command Prompt:

If you wish to automate the above setting via batch file or command-line, use these commands from an elevated or administrator Command Prompt:

SC config wuauserv start= auto
SC config bits start= auto
SC config cryptsvc start= auto
SC config trustedinstaller start= auto

Restart Windows and see if you can install Windows Updates now without getting the error 0x80070BC2.