How to Fix: Windows Update Error 0x80070057

Quick Fix

Most cases of 0x80070057 clear up with a quick cache reset:

1. Free up space on your C: drive (Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files, or Disk Cleanup > Clean up system files).
2. Run the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter (Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters on Windows 11, or Update & Security > Troubleshoot on Windows 10) and apply any suggested fix.
3. Restart your PC and click Check for updates again.

Step-by-Step Guide

What This Error Means

Error 0x80070057 is one of the most common Windows Update failure codes. Windows error code 0x80070057 is a Windows API error that translates to “The parameter is incorrect.” Its signed decimal equivalent is HRESULT –2147024809. Both values refer to the same Windows API error: ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER (Win32 error 87), which means “The parameter is incorrect.” It’s a generic code, so it can be triggered by several different underlying problems, not just Windows Update — but when it shows up during an update, the message is usually a version of “There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x80070057)”.

According to Microsoft’s own support community, this error can be due to components Windows Update relies on being corrupted or misconfigured, not enough space left on the system partition, the update service not running properly or the SoftwareDistribution cache being corrupt, security software blocking the update process, or system locale settings being incompatible with the update package. Other frequent contributors include failing hardware such as bad sectors, faulty memory, or a defective controller, and third-party antivirus tools altering system parameters.

Step-by-Step Fixes (Windows 10 & Windows 11)

1. Check and free up disk space

This is the single most common cause. The 0x80070057 error code means that Windows ran into a storage issue — possibly your hard drive or SSD didn’t have enough space left to download or copy files. Press Win + E, click on This PC, and check your C: drive’s free space. If it’s low, right-click the drive, choose Properties > Disk Cleanup > Clean up system files, and check everything that can go, especially the Recycle Bin and Windows Update Cleanup, then click OK and confirm with Delete Files.

2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

The built-in troubleshooter automatically detects and fixes most Windows Update-related causes of error 0x80070057. On Windows 11: press Windows + I to open Settings, go to System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters (or Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Windows Update on Windows 10), and click Run next to Windows Update. Follow the on-screen prompts, apply any fixes suggested, then restart your computer and attempt the update again.

3. Check your date, time, and time zone

An out-of-sync clock can trigger this error. Check the clock in the Windows Taskbar to see whether its time and date are in sync with the actual time — in Windows 11, click Win + I, go to Time & language > Date & time; in Windows 10, right-click the Taskbar and choose Adjust date/time — then adjust for daylight saving time and time zone automatically, and press Sync Now.

4. Reset the Windows Update cache (SoftwareDistribution folder)

This fixes cases where the update cache itself is corrupted. The SoftwareDistribution folder is where the Windows Update client stores downloaded update files before installing them, and interrupted downloads or abrupt shutdowns can corrupt files in the folder and trigger error 0x80070057. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator and run:

1. net stop wuauserv
2. net stop cryptSvc
3. net stop bits
4. net stop msiserver
5. ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
6. ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
7. net start wuauserv
8. net start cryptSvc
9. net start bits
10. net start msiserver

Renaming SoftwareDistribution ensures a fresh database is created upon service restart. Restart your PC and check for updates again.

5. Run SFC and DISM scans

System File Checker (SFC) scans and repairs corrupted Windows system files that may be passing invalid parameters. Open an elevated Command Prompt and run sfc /scannow, letting it finish completely (5–15 minutes) without closing the window. If the error persists, follow up with DISM: run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, which restores the health of the corrupt file system, then run SFC again.

6. Rule out antivirus or third-party software conflicts

Temporarily disable any third-party antivirus or security software, as it can sometimes interfere with Windows Update, then restart your computer and check if the issue persists. Similarly, unusual configurations like mapped network drives or virtual drives from backup software have been reported to cause this: one user found a mapped drive letter used for daily backups caused the Windows Update process to hang when determining where to put downloads, and removing the mapping resolved it permanently.

7. Run Check Disk (CHKDSK)

If your drive itself has file system or hardware errors, this can also produce the parameter error. CHKDSK is a Windows tool that checks disks for logical issues that could trigger an error code such as 0x80070057. Right-click your system drive in File Explorer, go to Properties > Tools > Check, and let it scan; if it needs to run at the next restart, allow that and reboot.

8. Check Group Policy settings (Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or domain-joined PCs)

On managed or Pro editions, misconfigured policy can block updates. If you’re using Windows 10 Pro and see a result code like e_invalidarg (0x80070057), this could be due to Group Policy Settings that have rendered the Windows update system unable to function. If your PC is on a work or school network, check with your IT administrator before changing policy settings yourself.

9. Try an in-place upgrade / repair install (last resort before reinstalling)

If nothing above works, a non-destructive repair can rebuild the update components without wiping your data. The non-destructive repair, also called an in-place upgrade, may help update the system to the latest version directly after execution. This is done using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool: download it, run setup.exe from the mounted ISO, and choose to keep your personal files and apps when prompted. Always create a system restore point or full backup before doing this.

When to Seek Further Help

If you’ve freed up space, reset the update cache, run SFC/DISM, checked your clock, disabled antivirus, and run CHKDSK with no luck, this may be a deeper issue specific to your machine’s hardware or configuration. As Microsoft support notes, at that point you should seek further assistance from Microsoft support or a qualified IT professional who can analyze your specific system configuration, and remember to back up your important data before attempting any significant changes to your system. Persistent failures tied to a specific cumulative update, a failing hard drive, or corporate Group Policy restrictions usually fall into this category and are best handled by official Microsoft support or your organization’s IT department rather than further DIY fixes.

Platform note: All steps above apply to Windows 10 and Windows 11 desktop editions. Menu paths differ slightly between the two (Windows 11 uses Settings > System > Troubleshoot; Windows 10 uses Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot), as noted in each step.