Fix: Windows Update Error Code 0x80070490

While updating Windows, you may encounter an update failure with an error code 0x80070490. Although this error is usually resolved by a simple update restart, it can sometimes persist for a longer period of time.

Now, this may happen due to corrupt files in the system component store or issues with the Component-Based Servicing (CBS). If the issue is related to the update components, resetting them may solve the problem. However, this error may also arise from antivirus interfering with your updates or corrupt system files.

Run the Update Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in program that can detect and solve problems on your computer automatically. You can use this troubleshooter program to check for any issues with the Windows update. The following steps will guide you on how to do it:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Select Update & Security.
   
3. Click on Troubleshoot from the left panel and go to Additional troubleshooters.
4. Select Windows Update and click on Run the troubleshooter. It will look for update-related problems and notify you of the results.
   

Disable Antivirus

Sometimes third-party antivirus software can wrongfully detect Windows update files as harmful malware and remove them from your computer. This can cause the updates to malfunction or fail. In such a case, you can temporarily disable your antivirus and restart the update.

However, remember to enable the antivirus again to prevent malicious files from getting into your PC and corrupting your system.

Run System Scan

The SFC and DISM are Windows command line tools that you can use to fix any file corruption on your Windows PC. This tool uses the Windows component store to repair the missing or corrupt system files on your device. 

Follow these steps after connecting your PC to the internet since the DISM tool will download the missing files from the internet if the component store is insufficient.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run program.
2. Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift  + Enter.
3. Type the following command one at a time and press Enter to run a system scan for corrupt files:
   dism/online/cleanup-image/restorehealth
sfc/scannow
   

Reset Windows Update Components

Windows downloads update files and temporarily stores them before installing the updates. However, if this update file is corrupt, the update won’t run properly. To solve this problem, you can clear the update cache files and reset the Windows update components so that Windows re-downloads the files.

1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
2. Type and execute the following commands in sequential order to stop the update services:
   net stop appidsvc
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc
net stop wuauserv
   
3. To delete the update cache, run the following commands to remove the update cache files:
   rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q
rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q
   
4. Run the following command to reset the Winsock Catalog. This will help with any errors that may occur while connecting to the Microsoft update servers.
   Netsh winsock reset
   
5. Execute the following commands to restart the update services.
   net start appidsvc
net start bits
net start cryptsvc
net start wuauserv
   
6. Restart your computer and run the update again.

Change Windows Services Startup Type

Windows has update services that overlook the Window update process. This service is set to launch manually by default but you can change this behavior to start automatically when your Windows boots. Changing this setting will rule out any issues caused by malfunctioning update services.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run app.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Search for Windows Update and double-click on it.
   
4. Click on the drop-down menu next to Startup type and select Automatic.
   
5. Press Apply and then OK.
6. Repeat the steps from 3 to 5 for Cryptographic services and Background Intelligence Transfer Services as well.
7. Restart your PC.