Windows Update Error 0x80070035 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Windows Update error 0x80070035 means 'The network path was not found.' Windows tried to access a network resource required for the update — such as a WSUS server, a shared update source, or a Microsoft server — and could not reach it. This error appears most often in corporate environments using WSUS, but can also affect home users with misconfigured network settings.

Affected Models

Windows 10
Windows 11
Windows 8.1

Common Causes

A corporate WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) server is offline or misconfigured, and the PC is pointed to it instead of Microsoft's servers
A VPN or proxy is blocking connections to Windows Update servers
Windows Firewall or a third-party firewall is blocking the Windows Update service's network access
The Group Policy on the PC has been configured to use a specific update server that no longer exists
Network adapter drivers or TCP/IP stack settings are corrupted, preventing proper network connections

How to Fix It

Check if a proxy or VPN is active. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. If 'Use a proxy server' is turned on, turn it off and try Windows Update again. Also disconnect any VPN software before running updates.

VPNs and proxies route your internet traffic through different servers, which can block connections to Microsoft's update infrastructure. Updates often work fine once these are disabled.
Reset Group Policy update settings. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type: reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' /f — then press Enter. Restart your PC and try Windows Update again. This removes any WSUS server configuration that may be pointing to a missing server.

This command is safe on home PCs. On corporate PCs, do not run this without IT department approval — corporate PCs use these settings intentionally.
Reset the Windows TCP/IP stack and flush DNS. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run these commands one at a time: netsh winsock reset — then: netsh int ip reset — then: ipconfig /flushdns — then restart your PC.

A corrupted TCP/IP stack can cause network path errors that look like update server problems. These commands reset network settings to defaults without affecting your Wi-Fi or Ethernet configuration.
Temporarily disable Windows Firewall and third-party security software. Open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection. Turn off the firewall for your active network type (Private or Public). Run Windows Update. Re-enable the firewall immediately after testing.

Overly aggressive firewall rules sometimes block Windows Update's outgoing connections. If updates succeed with the firewall off, you need to add Windows Update as a firewall exception rather than leaving the firewall disabled.
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run. Let it scan and apply fixes automatically. This tool specifically checks for network configuration problems that block Windows Update.

The troubleshooter can detect and fix WSUS misconfiguration, service problems, and some network issues automatically. Always try it before manual steps.

When to Call a Professional

If you are on a corporate or school network, contact your IT department — they manage the WSUS server and network policies that control how updates are delivered. Do not attempt to change Group Policy settings on a corporate PC without IT approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is WSUS and do I have it?

WSUS stands for Windows Server Update Services. It is a server that companies install to manage and distribute Windows Updates to all computers on their network centrally. Home users typically do not have WSUS — they download updates directly from Microsoft. If your PC was ever on a corporate or school network, it may have been configured to use that network's WSUS server. When you use the same PC at home, it tries to reach the corporate WSUS server — which it cannot find — causing this error.

I am on a home network and still get this error. Why?

On a home network, this error most often comes from a proxy setting left over from work or school, a VPN client that reconfigures your network routing, or overly strict firewall rules. Check Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy for unexpected proxy entries. Also check if any VPN or network security software is installed and try disabling it temporarily.

Can I fix this without touching the registry?

Yes — try the Windows Update Troubleshooter and VPN/proxy fixes first. Many users resolve this error without ever touching the registry. Only use the registry delete command if the simpler fixes fail and you are confident this is a WSUS configuration issue. On a home PC, accidental registry errors are unlikely with the specific command provided, but always be cautious when editing the registry.