Error code: (0x80070570) when updating Windows Server 2016

Question

A Windows Server 2016 under my care has some trouble installing the latest updates (2022-03 cumulative package, most likely), which ends up with the error code 0x80070570. I know this error code indicates some kind of corruption and most questions and answers seem to be related to the non-Server editions of Windows. Since I'm having problems with a server I feel this might warrant a different approach.

I've tried sfc /scannow as well as the usual DISM commands with source Server 2016 install.wim as a parameter.

At this time it SEEMS like the system should be fine, yet the update installation still fails. What could be wrong and what can I do to either find cause of this?

Answer 1

You can also try the manual steps here.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/windows-update-resources#reset-windows-update-components-manually

a repair install by running setup.exe from the root of install media

but time may be better spent standing up a new one for replacement.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 2

I've managed to resolve the issue... whilst finding another one. It seems something went wrong with the file / folder structures inside the SoftwareDistribution folder. I've renamed it (and cleared it as best I could - could not remove the whole thing, see https://superuser.com/questions/1709489/cannot-delete-folder-because-its-not-empty

Since the original one was resolved I'll close this question. So, to summarize - once the OS was "repaired" via DISM I've also had to clean the SoftwareDistribution folder (or rename it, as was the actual case).

Answer 3

Hi, @Mateusz Bender

Thanks very much for your posting and feedback. We're glad that the question is solved now. Here's a short summary for the problem, we believe this will help other users to search for useful information more quickly.

Problem/Symptom:
A Windows Server 2016 has the error code: (0x80070570) when install the latest cumulative update, the error code indicates some kind of corruption.

Solution/Workaround:
After the OS was "repaired" via DISM commands, we also have to delete the SoftwareDistribution folder or rename it.

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