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Windows 11 updates are failing - error 0x800705b4

Anonymous
2025-03-20T14:35:14+00:00

My Windows Update Center has been unable to download or install updates for a month. The error code is always 0x800705b4. When I click "Check for updates" it refreshes endlessly until I shut down my PC for the night. Windows Troubleshooter has failed to diagnose the issue each time I've run it.

Possibly related - for several days now, whenever I shut down my PC, I get a pop-up that says "Task Host is stopping background tasks. (\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceDirectoryClient\RegisterUserDevice)."

This is driving me bonkers - any help would be hugely appreciated!

Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 24H2
Installed on ‎1/‎11/‎2025
OS build 26100.3194
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.48.0

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Siva Shankar 10,960 Reputation points
    2025-03-20T15:08:11+00:00

    Hello ,

    I’m here to help you in resolving your issue

    Error 0x800705b4 usually indicates that Windows Update is timing out or encountering permission issues.

    1: Press Win +S > search for Command Prompt > Right click on it > click on Run as administrator > Run below commands

    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

    2: Restart your PC and try updating again.

    After trying above steps, please reach out to me if you have any doubts or issues

    Help others by sharing your experience! Click “Yes” if this solution worked for you or “No” if it didn’t.

    10 people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-08T13:39:05+00:00

    Oops, I meant Hard Stop or Shutdown. Then I restarted my computer. Hold the Power button for over 10 seconds until the pc shuts down. Then restart the pc. This worked for me.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-08T11:47:18+00:00

    Same exact error when I followed the directions and ran net stop wuauserv.

    Ran Windows Update for several days now and always get "There were some problems installing updates, but we'll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x800705b4)."

    Last successful updates were on 3/28/2025.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2025-04-09T16:25:30+00:00

    Oops, I meant Hard Stop or Shutdown. Then I restarted my computer. Hold the Power button for over 10 seconds until the pc shuts down. Then restart the pc. This worked for me.

    Wow, I can hardly believe it! After trying other "solutions" and failing, this simple solution worked! A+ for Peter Houser.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-30T19:46:59+00:00

    net stop wuauserv is not working. It says "The service is starting or stopping. Please try again later."

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