What you’re seeing
- Windows Update fails with error 0x80073712 on a desktop or server.
- The update troubleshooter runs and reports nothing it can fix.
- Adding Windows features or roles also fails with similar errors.
- Servers such as Windows Server 2022 or 2025 refuse to install cumulative updates.
Common causes
Every environment is different, but these are the causes our engineers find most often:
- The Windows component store is corrupted, so update files it needs are missing or damaged.
- A previous update was interrupted by a power loss or forced restart.
- Storage problems such as bad sectors or a failing drive damaged system files.
- Antivirus or cleanup software removed files that Windows considered essential.
Why it matters
A corrupted component store blocks all future patches, not just one, so the machine slowly becomes less secure every month. On a server, that can affect every user who depends on it for files, apps or sign-in. Storage problems behind the error may also be an early warning that the drive itself is failing, which puts data at risk.
How AskTechGurus fixes it
Skip the trial and error. A certified engineer works on your actual system, finds the root cause, and fixes it properly.
Tell us what’s happening
Submit a ticket in about two minutes. Paste the error, describe what changed, and pick your tier. No charge to submit.
A certified engineer diagnoses it
A vetted, US-based systems engineer claims your ticket, usually within minutes during business hours, and investigates over a secure remote session you can watch and end at any time.
Fixed and verified with you
The engineer resolves the root cause and confirms with you that it’s working. You don’t just get a workaround, and you get a plain-English summary of what was wrong.
Pay only when it’s resolved
Fixed price from $99, invoiced only after you approve the fix. If it isn’t resolved, you don’t pay.
Frequently asked questions
Does this mean the hard drive is failing?
Not always, but it's possible. Drive health should be looked at as part of the diagnosis, especially on older machines.
Is it urgent on a server?
Yes, because servers hold shared data and are attractive targets. An unpatched server is a bigger risk than a single PC.
Can AskTechGurus help with servers too?
Yes. A certified US engineer can work on desktops and servers over a remote secure session, from $99, and you pay only when it's resolved.