Windows update fails with 0x80070057
How do I fix Windows update error 0x80070057?
Written by The CommonFixes team · fact checked by CommonFixes review desk
Last updated
Short answer
This code means a parameter is incorrect, which is the way Windows reports that it handed something a value it could not use. During updates the usual reasons are a damaged update cache, a registry value the installer cannot read, too little free space in the small system reserved partition, or regional settings that were changed by hand. The quickest thing to try first: clear the update cache — In Terminal (Admin) run net stop wuauserv, net stop bits, then ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old, then net start wuauserv and net start bits. Retry the update. A half downloaded package is the most frequent cause of this code. Most people are done in about 30 minutes.
Full walkthrough below: 6 steps for Windows, rated medium.
Sounds like this
- •Updates fail with 0x80070057
- •A backup or install stops with the same code
- •The reserved partition may be mentioned
Why it happens
This code means a parameter is incorrect, which is the way Windows reports that it handed something a value it could not use. During updates the usual reasons are a damaged update cache, a registry value the installer cannot read, too little free space in the small system reserved partition, or regional settings that were changed by hand.
Work through these in order
0% done- 1
Clear the update cache
In Terminal (Admin) run net stop wuauserv, net stop bits, then ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old, then net start wuauserv and net start bits. Retry the update. A half downloaded package is the most frequent cause of this code.
- 2
Repair system files
Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and then sfc /scannow. Let both finish completely before you restart, even if they appear to pause for a long while.
- 3
Put the regional settings back to a standard set
Open Control Panel, Region, Additional settings, and press Reset. A decimal or date separator that was changed by hand genuinely breaks Windows Setup, which is one of the few times this code has an easy and unexpected cure.
- 4
Free up space, including the reserved partition
Open Settings, System, Storage and clear at least ten gigabytes on the main drive. Large updates also need room in the small system reserved partition, so uninstall any third party disk or encryption tool that placed files there.
- 5
Run the update troubleshooter, then try the catalogue
Settings, System, Troubleshoot, Other troubleshooters, Run beside Windows Update. If it still fails, note the KB number from your update history, download that exact update from the Microsoft Update Catalog and install it by hand.
- 6
Perform a repair install
Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft, run it, and choose to keep personal files and apps. This replaces the update machinery without touching your documents and clears the fault when nothing else does.
If none of that worked
If the code shows during a backup rather than an update, the destination drive is the suspect. Format it as NTFS rather than exFAT and try again. If it shows during a Windows install, delete and recreate the partition in the installer's drive options screen instead of installing over the old one.
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This guide was last updated on 10 August 2026. If a step no longer matches what you see on screen, tell us on the contact page and we will test it again.
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