How to Fix Error Code 0x80070643

By Lloyd Ingram Updated March 15, 2026

Quick Tips

Error code 0x80070643 is an update error that occurs for a number of reasons.
Start simple by running the update troubleshooter and then move on to checking for space and clearing your update cache.
If the issue persists, try resetting your catroot 2 folder.

Updates are painful. Updates that fail are even more upsetting. Thankfully, Windows does provide error codes to better pinpoint the issue. If you’ve encountered error code 0x80070643 during your update process, we’ve got both the causes and the potential fixes down in this article.

What Causes This Error?

As with the many update errors Windows throws at you, error code 0x80070643 has several possible causes, including:

A lack of space for the update to install
A corrupted update cache, which is often caused by incomplete downloads
A faulty .NET framework, which controls the update process
Conflicts with the antivirus
Old or outdated system software
Corrupted MSI or catroot folders

Fixing Error Code 0x80070643

Let’s take a look at how to fix this error code with the solutions below:

Run the Update, Troubleshooter

The Update Troubleshooter is a first step that can be very effective. To use it:

Step 1. Open Settings (Win + I), click “System,” and scroll down to “Troubleshoot.”

Step 2. Select “Other troubleshooters.”

Step 3. You’ll see “Windows Update” in the list. Click the “Run” button and let it go.

Step 4. If the troubleshooter identifies any issues, it’ll try to repair them. Restart afterwards and try updating again.

Delete the Update Cache

A good next step is to ensure no fragmented and corrupted download files remain in the update cache. The quickest way is to delete them in Explorer:

Step 1. Open the Run dialog (Win + R) and enter “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\” before hitting “Enter.”

Step 2. An Explorer window will open. Select all the files and folders and delete them. You can press (Shift + Del) to skip sending them to the Recycle Bin and remove them completely.

Step 3. Your files should be deleted and the cache cleared. Windows will recreate the folders when you restart.

Step 4. On rebooting, try the update again.

Check Your Disk Space

Updates need space to download and install. Error code 0x80070643 might be an indication that you need to free up space. The fastest way is to use Storage Sense.

You can find Storage Sense in Settings, under “System” and “Storage.” Once there, you’ll see the overall disk space on your main hard drive and can clear sections.

Storage Sense automatically deletes unused files from your machine to keep space free, too. Enable this under “Storage management” if you don’t mind the process being automated.