Quick Summary
Error code 0x80070490, also known as ELEMENT_NOT_FOUND, primarily indicates a component store corruption within the Component Based Servicing (CBS) system. This corruption prevents Windows from successfully installing updates or performing system maintenance operations.
Common Causes
- Corrupted Component Store: The component store, which contains files needed for Windows updates and features, might become corrupted due to incomplete installations, disk errors, or malware infections.
- Missing or Damaged System Files: Critical system files required for the update process may be missing or damaged, making it impossible for Windows to properly apply the changes.
- Conflicting Software: Third-party applications or services can interfere with the update process, leading to the 0x80070490 error.
- Registry Issues: Corrupted registry keys related to Windows Update or installed components can cause update failures.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Method 1: Run the System File Checker (SFC) Show Steps ↓
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Search for 'cmd' in the Start menu, right-click, and select 'Run as administrator'.
Step 2: Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Step 3: Wait for the scan to complete. This process may take some time.
Step 4: Restart your computer after the scan is finished.
Method 2: Use the DISM Tool to Repair the Component Store Show Steps ↓
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator (see above).
Step 2: Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth and press Enter to check the component store's health.
Step 3: If health check indicates corruption, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. This command uses Windows Update to provide the files required to fix corruptions.
Step 4: If you cannot access Windows Update, use a running Windows installation as the repair source, or use a Windows installation side-by-side from a network share or removable media, such as the Windows DVD. Then run the following command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:wim:<Path to WIM file>:1 /LimitAccess. Replace <Path to WIM file> with the location of the WIM file.
Step 5: Wait for the process to complete. This may take a significant amount of time.
Step 6: Restart your computer after DISM has finished.
Method 3: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter Show Steps ↓
Step 1: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
Step 2: Select 'Windows Update' and click 'Run the troubleshooter'.
Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
Step 4: Restart your computer after the troubleshooter has finished.
Method 4: Reset Windows Update Components Show Steps ↓
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Step 2: Stop the BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer and the Windows Update Services by running the following commands, one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Step 3: Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders. Run the following commands, one after the other, in the same command prompt window:
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
Step 4: Restart the BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer and the Windows Update Services. Run the following commands, one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
Step 5: Restart your computer.