Cannot add feature of .Net Framwork 3.5 to my Windows Server 2022. Error: 0x80073701

Question

Hello guys!

I may need some help after endless googling for couple days.

I just couldn't fix the error when adding a new feature of .Net Framework 3.5 to my VM as follows:

The features trying to add:

.NET Framework 3.5

This virtual machine is a domain controller, and the OS version is:

Windows Server 2022 Standard 21H2 20348.1906

Error message:

The request to add or remove features on the specified server failed.

Installation of one or more roles, role services, or features failed.

The referenced assembly could not be found. Error: 0x80073701.

I've done the following measures but all without any luck:

1. DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /SCANHEALTH
2. DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /CHECKHEALTH
3. DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /RESTOREHEALTH
4. Sfc /Scannow
5. I've tried mounting ISO and specify alternative sources when adding features

This post may resolve the problem, but I couldn't identify which package to download via the CBS log. https://thatonecomputerguy.wordpress.com/2015/10/06/windows-update-fails-with-error-code-0x80073701-error_sxs_assembly_missing-solved/

The output of DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All:

C:>DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool

Version: 10.0.20348.681

Image Version: 10.0.20348.1906

Enabling feature(s) [==========================100.0%==========================]

Error: 14081

The referenced assembly could not be found.

CBS Log from trying to add features from Manage / Add Roles and Features :

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Reporting package change completion for package: Microsoft-Windows-NetFx3-Server-OC-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.20348.1, current: Installed, original: Installed, target: Installed, status: 0x80073701, failure source: Resolve, failure details: "(null)", client id: DISM Package Manager Provider, initiated offline: False, execution sequence: 78, first merged sequence: 78, pending decision: InteractiveInstallFailed, primitive execution context: Interactive

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS The store corruption status report is incomplete. [HRESULT = 0x80070002 - ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Resolve time performance datapoint is invalid. [HRESULT = 0x80070490 - ERROR_NOT_FOUND]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Stage time performance datapoint is invalid. [HRESULT = 0x80070490 - ERROR_NOT_FOUND]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Execute time performance datapoint is invalid. [HRESULT = 0x80070490 - ERROR_NOT_FOUND]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS FinalCommitPackagesState: Completed persisting state of packages

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Enabling LKG boot option

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Exec: Will not run corruption repair because no store corruption found.

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Exec: Processing complete. Session: 31054861_3083983636, Package: Microsoft-Windows-Foundation-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.20348.1, Identifier: Windows Foundation [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Reporting capability session finalize status: 0x80073701, client id: DISM Package Manager Provider, reboot count: 0, capabilities: NetFX3~, state: Installed, ID: 31054861_3083983636, RetryID: (null), retryStatus: 0, torn state reservicing: 0x80004001, download source: 10

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Removing the pending hard reserve adjustment for Client: DISM Package Manager Provider, Session: 31054861_3083983636

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Error CBS Failed to perform operation. [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Session: 31054861_3083983636 finalized. Reboot required: no [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]

2023-08-31 06:19:38, Info CBS Failed to FinalizeEx using worker session [HRESULT = 0x80073701]

========================

Thanks!

Regards,

Sean

Answer 1

Can you install monthly updates?

You can try the offline installer for .Net 3.5 - Install .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8 - .NET Framework | Microsoft Learn

Answer 2

Hi.

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

Based on the description, I understand your question is related to .Net. 

Since there are no engineers dedicated to .Net in this forum. In order to be able to get a quick and effective handling of your issue, I recommend that you repost your question in the Q&A forum, where there will be a dedicated engineer to give you a professional and effective reply.

Here is the link for Q&A forum.
Questions - Microsoft Q&A

Click the "Ask a Question" button in the upper right corner to post your question and select ".Net" tag.

Thank you for your understanding and support.  If you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

Have a nice day.

Best Regards,

Hania Lian

Answer 3

Hi Warren,

I had some bad experience with offline installers. Needed to fix all versions of dotnet FX with additional tools.
I'd prefer to stick with the typical methods that MS suggests...

Thanks for your help :)

Sean

Answer 4

Will do. Thx Xiuyun