Fix Error 0x80070490 in Windows Update and Mail

Error 0x80070490 usually means Windows could not find or validate a required component or item in a system component store. If it appears during Windows Update, an app update, or account setup, restart first, then use the repair steps below in order—starting with Windows’ built-in troubleshooters and repair tools.

What error 0x80070490 means

The code is associated with the Windows error name ERROR_NOT_FOUND: a requested element was not found. In practice, that broad message can surface when Windows cannot access a component, update metadata, or configuration data it expects. The code alone does not identify one damaged file or prove that the same cause applies in every case.

It may appear while installing a Windows update, updating an app, using the Microsoft Store, or adding an account in a Windows app such as Mail. Note where it happens and whether an update or system change immediately preceded it. Those details help distinguish an update servicing problem from an app- or account-specific issue.

Try these checks first

Before changing system files, try the low-risk checks. They often resolve temporary problems and provide useful clues if the error returns.

1. Restart the PC. A pending restart can prevent an update or repair operation from completing.
2. Check the connection, date, and time. Confirm the internet connection works and Windows’ date, time, and time zone are correct. A restricted network or incorrect clock can interfere with update and account services.
3. Check free storage. Windows needs working space to download and stage updates. Remove only files you recognize, or use Windows storage settings to review what can safely be cleaned up.
4. Retry once. Open Settings > Windows Update, select Check for updates, and note any accompanying message or update name.
5. Disconnect nonessential peripherals while troubleshooting, especially if the error occurs during an update or restart.

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Windows includes a troubleshooter that checks common update-service and configuration issues. In Windows 11, open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then select Run beside Windows Update. In Windows 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters, choose Windows Update, and run the troubleshooter. Menu wording can vary slightly by release.

Follow the prompts and restart if Windows requests it. Then check for updates again. The troubleshooter may report that it made a change, found no problem, or could not fix the issue; none of those results identifies every possible cause, so continue if the same error remains.

Repair Windows component files

If updates still fail, use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC). DISM can repair the Windows component store that supplies files for maintenance; SFC checks and repairs protected system files using that store. Run these tools from an elevated terminal, and let each command finish.

1. Right-click Start and open Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). Approve the User Account Control prompt.
2. Enter DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. The scan can take time and may appear to pause; do not close the window while it is running.
3. After DISM completes, enter sfc /scannow and press Enter.
4. When SFC finishes, restart Windows and try the failed operation again.

These commands are built into Windows. Do not interrupt them merely because progress appears slow. If DISM reports that source files could not be found, or either tool cannot complete, record the exact message rather than repeatedly running commands or downloading replacement system files from unofficial sites.

If the error is limited to an app or account

If Windows Update works but the code appears only in the Microsoft Store or an individual app, focus on that app. Install available Windows updates, restart, and check for app updates through the Store. For a Store problem, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps (called Apps & features in some Windows 10 builds), select Microsoft Store if listed, choose Advanced options, and try Repair. Use Reset only if needed: it can remove local app data or preferences.

If the message appears while adding an email or other account, first confirm that the account works through its provider’s normal sign-in page and that the device has internet access. Remove and add the account again only after checking whether unsent drafts or locally stored app data could be affected. A Windows Update repair may not fix a problem confined to one account or app.

When the usual fixes do not work

For an update-specific failure, write down the update name or identifier shown in Windows Update, the time of failure, and the full message. Check Settings > Windows Update > Update history for the failed item. This information is more useful than the error code alone when contacting device support or investigating a particular update.

Do not begin by deleting folders such as SoftwareDistribution, changing registry entries, or disabling security software. Those steps can cause additional problems and are not necessary for the standard repair sequence. If the error began after a recent change, consider undoing that change through normal Windows settings. Before advanced recovery, back up important files. If Windows cannot update after the built-in troubleshooter and DISM/SFC checks, use Microsoft’s current Windows support guidance or the device manufacturer’s support channel for the specific failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is error 0x80070490 a virus?
No. The code is a Windows error indicating that a requested item was not found; by itself, it is not evidence of malware. Avoid downloading “error fixer” tools from unfamiliar sites.

Can I ignore error 0x80070490?
It depends on where it appears. A one-time failure may clear after a restart, but repeated update failures can leave Windows without updates you intended to install. Retry and troubleshoot the operation that failed.

Will DISM and SFC delete my personal files?
These commands are intended to repair Windows components and protected system files, not personal documents. Still, keeping a current backup is sensible before system maintenance or recovery work.

What if 0x80070490 appears only in Microsoft Store?
Restart, install pending Windows updates, and try repairing Microsoft Store through its app settings. If the issue is limited to one app, update or repair that app rather than assuming Windows Update itself is broken.

Should I reset Windows to fix this code?
Not as an initial step. A reset can affect apps, settings, and—in some choices—files. Try the troubleshooter and component repair commands first, and review Windows’ backup and recovery information before considering a reset.

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