How to Fix Fix Error 0x80073701 — Missing Assembly Component on Windows
Getting error 0x80073701 "ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING" during Windows Update or enabling features? Component store missing required assembly? Fix this servicing error.
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Main Troubleshooting Guide
How to Fix Windows Update Errors →Complete symptoms, causes, and step-by-step solutions
Symptoms
You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:
- •Windows Update fails with error 0x80073701
- •"Turn Windows features on or off" fails with this error
- •DISM reports 0x80073701 when enabling optional features
- •Cumulative updates fail to install with assembly missing
- •.NET Framework or Hyper-V can't be enabled
- •Error in CBS log: "ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING"
Common Causes
- ⚠Windows component store (WinSxS) missing required files
- ⚠Previous failed update left components in broken state
- ⚠System file corruption in servicing stack
- ⚠Component-Based Servicing (CBS) manifest corrupted
- ⚠Disk cleanup tool removed needed update components
- ⚠Hard drive errors causing file loss in WinSxS
Solutions
Solution 1: Repair Component Store
- 1CMD as Admin:
- 2DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
- 3If issues detected:
- 4DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- 5This downloads missing components from Windows Update
- 6If no internet: use Windows ISO as source:
- 7DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:D:\sources\install.wim
- 8After DISM: sfc /scannow
- 9Restart PC → retry the failed update or feature
Solution 2: Reset Windows Update
- 1CMD as Admin:
- 2net stop wuauserv
- 3net stop bits
- 4net stop cryptSvc
- 5ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
- 6ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
- 7net start cryptSvc
- 8net start bits
- 9net start wuauserv
- 10Run Windows Update again
- 11If specific KB fails: download it manually from Microsoft Update Catalog
Solution 3: Advanced Component Store Repair
- 1If DISM RestoreHealth also fails:
- 2Check CBS log: C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log
- 3Search for "ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING" to find specific component
- 4In-place upgrade repair: download Windows ISO from Microsoft
- 5Mount ISO → run setup.exe → "Keep files and apps"
- 6This repairs the component store while keeping your data
- 7This is the most thorough fix for persistent 0x80073701
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