Windows 2019 Server Updates Failing error code 0x80070003

Question

Hi,

We have had the issue of one of the Windows server updates failing since last month's ( 2025-05/06 ) update. What is weird is that we got 2 DCs that are replicated to each other, but one had no issue with patching ( Both May/June updates) but the other one keeps having issue.

In the last update, the initial error code was as follows:

2025-05 Cumulative Update for Windows Server 2019 (1809) for x64-based Systems ( KB5058392 ) (4)

Last failed install attempt on 2025-05-16 - 0xe000100

2025-05 Cumulative Update for Windows Server 2019 (1809) for x64-based Systems ( KB5058392 )- Error 0x80070bc9

So far, we have tried to run the

1. Running the Windows update trouble shooter -> Found no issue
2. Running the -> Still did not fix any

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3. Check setupapi.dev.log for INF-related errors

Ran below to export the log in powershell,

$setupLog = "C:\Windows\inf\setupapi.dev.log" Select-String -Path $setupLog -Pattern "0xe0000100" -Context 2,2

In the log, found that the Error 0xE0000100 is related to the driver being corrupted.

So, I found that below network driver was causing the error,

C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\netathrx.inf_amd64_220db23f5419ea8d\netathrx.inf

After checking the driver in no use for any of the device, i rename the file so that it doesn't conflict with the driver update part during update.

4. Exclude the driver updates during the windows update

Temporarily exclude driver updates reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUp"

5. Reset Windows Update Components. Clear the cache

Stop Windows Update services

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

net stop cryptsvc

Rename the SoftwareDistribution and catroot2 folders

Rename-Item C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

Rename-Item C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

Start Windows Update services

net start cryptsvc

net start bits

net start wuauserv

6. Manually update from downloading global catalog -> Still failed

After these steps, I was getting the new error code for

0x80070002

I did the same steps above running windows troubleshooter/ restarting the windows update services in step 5, running sfc /scannow and DISM commands but still it wasn't doing anything so i waited for the June update to come up which i thought maybe that will fix.

But the June update fails with the different error code now.

0x80070003

According to the windows log, it seems like the error still comes from the driver update parts. so i am not sure what to do at this point because i tried all the above steps 1,2,4,5,6 to fix but still fails.

2025-06-16 17:07:49, Info CBS Failed installing driver updates [HRESULT = 0x80070003 - ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND] 2025-06-16 17:07:49, Error CBS Shtd: Failed while processing non-critical driver operations queue. [HRESULT = 0x80070003 - ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND] 2025-06-16 17:07:49, Info CBS Shtd: Rolling back KTM, because drivers failed.

There were also the error logs that says failing below too.

Error Code 8024000C: LoadHistoryEventFromRegistry completed failed

Error Code 80240013: m_services.Add() failed

Failed to find update with global id of 90F961A9-1756-4493-AADE-644C37589961.200

Please let me know what I can do for next steps since i am running out of steps to try amd seems like it keeps getting into the rabbithole

Answer 1

Hi,

If you have an error message or code, you can use this page to help: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/resolve-windows-update-problems-188c2b0f-10a7-d72f-65b8-32d177eb136c

Even if this is for workstations, you can try some server-side manipulations.

Sincerely,