How to Fix Error Code 80073712 – Solutions

This Error Code 80073712 is commonly caused due to the .NET framework installation failure. These are the following ways in which you can attempt to correct this error. If you receive this error code, it means that a file required by Windows Update is damaged or missing. Our experts have troubleshooting tools that can help you address this problem.

Error Code 80073712Disclaimers: Before you attempt to fix an issue with the windows update, we highly recommend you to take a registry backup and create a system restore point as a precaution method. In case if something goes wrong, we can restore your computer to the same stage and fix the issues. (In case if you not sure how to back it up, talk to an expert for assistance.)

Error Code 80073712
Error code 80073712 support

Error Code 80073712 solutions

This .NET Framework 3.5 for Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 won’t come with pre-installed .Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, and must be separately enabled to run applications that depend on it. So enable the .NET Framework 3.5 in Control Panel to avoid Error code 80073712 .

Note – Make sure you have set correct Date and time on your computer, try to install pending updates through other available networks. Run windows update troubleshooter.

  1. Control Panel> Programs and Features
  2. Turn Windows features on or off then check .NET framework 3.5 . The pre-requisites should installed
  3. If it is not successful uninstall the KB’s related to .NET framework 3.5 and then re-install them
  4. Restart your computer if needed

If the windows update error code 80073712 still exists, follow some more steps to fix the issue and install/upgrade/update your operating system.

You Can Try These Solutions to Fix Windows Update Error Code 80073712 While Updating/Upgrading

  1. Perform a sfc scan so that you can fix potentially corrupted or missing files, most of cases this system file scan fix common issues with file system
  2. To do a restore to healthy previous setup with command prompt to fix potentially corrupted or missing files
  3. Using windows update troubleshooter fix it tool , this is also a good tool to automatically fix most common issues
  4. By cleaning SDF (Software distribution folder) for a clean slate for Windows Update or renaming so machine itself creates a fresh one in next update
  5. Resetting PC

Simple SFC Scan Method for Common File System Issues to Fix Windows Update Error

System file scanning process is very simple to try while fixing issues with windows issues. Just follow these steps.

  • Open command prompt in admin mode, to do this Type CMD in windows start menu search and right click on CMD application to get through Run as admin option
  • In the command prompt window, type SFC/SCANNOW and press enter
    SFC Scan
  • The scanning process takes some time to return results

Using Restore Health Option to Fix Corrupted Files

For most of the serious issues, and to save your time the best way to fix these critical issues are restoring to good healthy partition. Before doing this stop the windows update services. Open the command prompt as admin (Mentioned above in sfc scan process), Then instead of running sfc scannow command type this following command in the window.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Restore Health

After some time your machine will be restored to a good healthy state. Now you can start your windows updates as usual.

Windows Update Troubleshooter/Fix it Tool

Microsoft has released several fix-it tools/patches for most of updates’ issues. Depends on your requirement choose the right fix it tool for your issue and run it on your machine. This will help you when there are simple issues like folder missing errors, permissions-related issues. Download fix it tool- for WINDOWS 10 click here, for window 7/8/8.1 click here.

SDF Cleaning Method to fix the Windows Update Error

In this method, we clean and recreate the software distribution folder by deleting all temporary files in it.

  1. Firstly, Go to C:/ drive, then open the windows named folder in it.
  2. Secondly, Open Software Distribution folder (SDF)
  3. After that, Open the DataStore folder and then delete all files and folders in it.
  4. Finally, Again go back to Software Distribution folder, open the Download folder and delete all files in it.
    Note: While deleting, it may prompt for admin permission. If you are logged in as an admin user. just click on ok to proceed.

Resetting Operating System to fix the Error Code 80073712

Follow this when you have less knowledge in windows technology about command prompts, files and registry fixing steps

  • If you are using windows 10, just type in “RESET PC” in the Cortana search bar(windows start button search) and select RESET PC from the results
  • Then under the RESET PC, click on get started button to proceed
  • There are two options to keep your files and complete clean (You must take back up of your desktop files, pictures, downloads, documents before proceeding to complete clean)
  • After reset, you may do updates cleanly without any issue. This resetting process takes time so please do it when you don’t have any urgent work with your computer

During installation you may encounter error 0x800f0906, 0x800f0907, or 0x800f081f, in which case refer to .NET Framework 3.5 installation error: 0x800f0906, 0x800f0907, or 0x800f081f. Note that these are possibly resolved by installing security update 3005628.

Technical support
Chat with our Microsoft product Experts

Finally, If you are still not able to resolve this error 80073712, we suggest you to chat with our assured experts. I am sure they will give you the best solutions to resolve this error completely. You can also visit our website for more information.

Related Error codes

Office error 30175

800736cc

Windows error kb2919442

Error 0x80004005

Background installation support

0x80244022

Error code 1719

800f081f

Windows error 8007045d

Error 0xc004e01c

Error 30088-4

Office installation

30029

0x800700c1

Outlook error 0x800c8101

Office