How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070490
What error 0x80070490 means
Error code 0x80070490 is Windows' way of saying ERROR_NOT_FOUND: an operation looked for something that should exist, and it wasn't there. In Windows Update, this usually means the update engine tried to reference a package, a component-store entry, or a database record and came up empty — most often because the local update cache (SoftwareDistribution) or the component store (WinSxS) got corrupted, a download was interrupted halfway, or a previous failed install left the update database in an inconsistent state.
You will usually see it in Settings under Windows Update as a failed download or install, and sometimes in app deployment or Store contexts where a package registration record is missing. The good news is that the root cause is almost always broken local data rather than a problem with the update itself or your hardware, so the reset-and-rebuild steps in this guide resolve it reliably — and none of these fixes touch your personal files.
Common causes
- Corrupted update cache: the SoftwareDistribution folder's database has broken records, so every retry fails against the same bad data.
- Damaged component store: WinSxS corruption leaves the update engine unable to find components it needs.
- Interrupted downloads: partial or stalled downloads leave package records that point at files that never arrived.
- Stuck or disabled update services: Windows Update, BITS, and Cryptographic Services in a bad state block the whole pipeline.
- Security software interference: third-party antivirus or firewall tools can quarantine or block update files mid-process.
How to fix error 0x80070490 — step by step
Work through these fixes in order. Most PCs are updating again by step 3.
- Run the Windows Update troubleshooter Open Settings, go to System, then Troubleshoot, then Other troubleshooters. Click Run next to Windows Update and follow the prompts. Let it apply any fixes it finds, restart your PC, and try updating again.
- Repair Windows with DISM and SFC Right-click Start and choose Terminal (Admin). Run
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealthand wait for it to finish — this repairs the component store. Then runsfc /scannowto repair protected system files. Restart your PC afterward and retry the update. - Reset the Windows Update components In an admin terminal, stop the update services with these commands, one at a time:
net stop wuauserv,net stop cryptSvc,net stop bits,net stop appidsvc. Then rename the caches:ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.oldandren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old. Restart the services withnet start wuauserv,net start cryptSvc,net start bits, andnet start appidsvc. Windows rebuilds both folders with fresh files. - Clear the Delivery Optimization cache Open Settings, go to System, then Storage, then Temporary files. Check "Delivery Optimization Files," click "Remove files," and restart your PC. This clears stale partial downloads that can confuse the update engine.
- Install the failing update manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog Go to Settings, then Windows Update, then Update history, and note the KB number of the failing update. Search for that KB number on the Microsoft Update Catalog website, download the package matching your system (x64 for most PCs), and install it by double-clicking the file.
- Perform an in-place Windows upgrade Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website, run it, and choose "Upgrade this PC now" — keep your files and apps. This reinstalls Windows over your current install and replaces the entire update stack with a fresh one.
Did this fix it? Quick checklist
- Windows Update downloads and installs without 0x80070490
- No stuck or repeatedly failing updates in Update history
- DISM and SFC complete with no unrepairable errors
- The PC restarts cleanly after installing updates
If the error persists after all six steps, try updating in a clean boot state: type msconfig in the Run box (Win + R), hide all Microsoft services, disable the rest, and retry the update to rule out third-party interference. Also check free space — Windows Update needs roughly 20 GB free to work reliably.
Frequently asked questions
What does error 0x80070490 mean?
Error 0x80070490 means "Element not found." In Windows Update it means the update engine expected to find a component, package record, or data it needs, but it wasn't there — almost always because the local update cache or the Windows component store is corrupted.
Why does Windows Update keep failing with 0x80070490?
The usual cause is a damaged SoftwareDistribution folder or component store. Interrupted downloads, disk errors, or third-party security software can break the update database, and every retry then fails against the same broken records until they are reset and rebuilt.
Will resetting the Windows Update components delete my files?
No. Renaming SoftwareDistribution and catroot2 only clears update caches and metadata. Your documents, apps, and settings are untouched. Windows rebuilds the folders automatically with fresh files on the next update check.
Is 0x80070490 related to the 0x80070002 error?
They are cousins: both point to missing or broken update data. 0x80070002 means a specific file could not be found, while 0x80070490 means the update engine could not find an expected component or element. The same reset-and-rebuild steps fix both.