Windows Update Error 0x80070006 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Windows Update error 0x80070006 means 'The handle is invalid.' This is a low-level Windows error that occurs when the Windows Update service tries to use a system resource that is no longer valid or has been closed unexpectedly. It usually points to corrupted Windows Update components or a conflict with security software.

Affected Models

Windows 10
Windows 11
Windows 8.1

Common Causes

Windows Update service components have become corrupted or are not running correctly
The Windows Update cache folder (SoftwareDistribution) has corrupted or invalid data
A third-party antivirus or security program is interfering with the Windows Update process
Windows system files needed by the Update service are damaged
The Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) that handles update downloads has an error

How to Fix It

Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run. Follow the prompts and let it detect and fix problems automatically.

The built-in troubleshooter resets key Windows Update components automatically. It fixes this exact type of error in many cases without any manual steps.
Reset Windows Update components manually. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Run these commands one by one: 'net stop wuauserv', 'net stop cryptsvc', 'net stop bits', 'net stop msiserver'. Then delete the contents of C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution, and finally restart those services.

The SoftwareDistribution folder holds Windows Update's cache. Clearing it forces Windows to start fresh, often resolving handle errors caused by corrupted cached data.
Restart the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS). Open Services (search 'Services' in the Start menu). Find 'Background Intelligent Transfer Service', right-click it, and select Restart. Make sure its Startup type is set to Automatic.

BITS is the service that actually downloads Windows Updates in the background. If it has a handle error, update downloads fail. Restarting it resets all its internal resources.
Run System File Checker to repair corrupted Windows files. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type: sfc /scannow — let it complete fully. Restart your PC when it finishes.

Corrupted Windows system files can cause services like Windows Update to fail with invalid handle errors. SFC scans and repairs these files automatically.
Run DISM to repair the Windows Update component store. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth — let it complete. This can take 15–30 minutes.

DISM repairs the deeper Windows system image that SFC uses as its reference. If SFC could not fully repair your system, DISM can fix the files that SFC itself depends on.

When to Call a Professional

If error 0x80070006 persists after all standard fixes, contact Microsoft Support at support.microsoft.com. For business environments, your IT team can use WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) to deliver updates directly. Microsoft's Update Troubleshooter is also available as a standalone download from the Microsoft website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 'handle' in Windows?

A handle is like a reference number Windows uses to track open files, processes, and system resources. When a program opens a file or starts a service, Windows gives it a handle — a number it uses to refer to that resource. If the resource is closed or becomes invalid and the program tries to use the old handle, Windows returns 'invalid handle' (error code 6, which is 0x80070006 in update error format).

Will deleting the SoftwareDistribution folder cause any problems?

No. The SoftwareDistribution folder only contains temporary download and cache files for Windows Update. Deleting its contents does not affect your installed Windows or your personal files. After you delete it, Windows Update will rebuild it from scratch on the next update attempt. Your Windows will remain fully activated and functional.

How long does the DISM repair take?

DISM /RestoreHealth downloads repair files from Microsoft's servers, so the time depends on your internet speed. On a typical home connection, it takes between 15 and 45 minutes. Do not close the Command Prompt window while it is running. Your PC will not restart automatically — you need to restart manually after it shows '100%' or 'The operation completed successfully.'