Windows Update stops working – Error Code 80071A30 – Resolution

I recently got this error on my Laptop, running Windows 7 (Enterprise SP1), when I tried to apply new Windows Updates.

I took the following steps to resolve the issue.

1:  Turn off / Disable any Anti-Virus and Firewall software. I had “Symantec EndPoint Protection”.

2:  Reboot machine into Safe Mode using F8 on restart.

3:  Select “Run” from the Start menu and type %windir%

(Tip: You can also access the Run command by pressing the Windows logo key +R)

4:  Find and Rename Folder SoftwareDistribution to say, SoftwareDistribution_old

5:  Reboot machine into normal windows mode

6:  Run Windows update.

7:  Re-enable Anti-virus and Firewall software.

This seemed to fix the problem for me. Hope it helps