Fix Windows 10 Error 0x80070057 Restore

Windows 10 error 0x80070057 can appear when you try to restore your PC from a system restore point, reset this PC, or use backup tools. It usually means Windows is having trouble reading or writing the restore data, often due to corrupted system files, incorrect date/time settings, or issues with the restore point itself. This guide walks you through the most reliable fixes, from simple checks to more advanced commands, so you can get your system restore working again.

What You’ll Need

Administrator access to your Windows 10 PC
A stable internet connection (for some fixes that download files)
Patience â€“ some steps take several minutes to complete

Step-by-Step

Check your system date and time. An incorrect date or time can cause error 0x80070057. Right-click the clock in the taskbar, select “Adjust date/time,” and ensure “Set time automatically” and “Set time zone automatically” are both toggled on. If they are already on, toggle them off, restart your PC, then turn them back on.
Run the System File Checker (SFC). Corrupted system files are a common cause. Open the Start menu, type cmd, right-click “Command Prompt,” and select “Run as administrator.” Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete (this can take 15-30 minutes). If it finds issues, it will try to repair them automatically.
Run the DISM tool. If SFC doesn’t fix it, DISM repairs the Windows system image. In the same administrator Command Prompt, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. This downloads healthy files from Windows Update to replace corrupted ones. Allow it to finish completely.
Delete the problematic restore points. Sometimes the restore point itself is corrupted. Open the Start menu, type create a restore point, and open the System Properties dialog. Go to the “System Protection” tab, select your system drive (usually C:), click “Configure,” then click “Delete” to remove all restore points. Click “Apply” and “OK.” Then create a fresh restore point by clicking “Create” and naming it.
Run System Restore from Safe Mode. Booting into Safe Mode loads only essential drivers, which can bypass the issue. Hold Shift while clicking “Restart” in the Start menu. Choose “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings” > “Restart.” After the restart, press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode. Once in Safe Mode, search for “System Restore” in the Start menu and run it from there.
Use the Windows 10 installation media to repair. If Safe Mode doesn’t work, create a bootable USB with the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool (from Microsoft’s website). Boot from the USB, select your language, click “Next,” then click “Repair your computer” at the bottom-left. Choose “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “System Restore.” This uses the recovery environment on the media, which is often more robust.
Perform a Startup Repair. From the same Advanced options menu (either from Safe Mode or installation media), select “Startup Repair.” This scans for and fixes problems that prevent Windows from loading correctly. It may take a few restarts.
Reset this PC (keeping files). If all else fails, a reset reinstalls Windows while keeping your personal files. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Under “Reset this PC,” click “Get started,” choose “Keep my files,” and follow the prompts. This removes installed apps and settings but preserves your documents, photos, and other personal data.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the date/time check. Many users jump straight to complex commands when a simple time zone misalignment is the culprit. Always verify this first.
Running SFC without administrator rights. SFC will fail or not work correctly if you don’t run Command Prompt as an administrator.
Interrupting SFC or DISM. These tools need to run to completion. Closing the window or shutting down mid-scan can cause more corruption.
Assuming the restore point is fine. A corrupted restore point is a frequent cause. Deleting all restore points and creating a new one is a legitimate fix, not a last resort.
Choosing “Reset this PC” too early. This is a more drastic step. Try the less invasive repairs first, as they preserve all your installed programs.

Tips

Create restore points regularly. Set a reminder to create one before major updates or software installations. You can also configure Windows to create them automatically via the System Protection tab.
Keep your system drive healthy. Use the built-in “Defragment and Optimize Drives” tool monthly, and check disk space â€“ a nearly full C: drive can cause restore failures.
Use a reliable power source. If you’re on a laptop, keep it plugged in during any repair operation. An unexpected shutdown mid-repair can worsen the problem.
Note the exact error code. If the error message includes additional numbers (e.g., 0x80070057-0xffffffff), write them down. They can help in online searches for more specific solutions.
After a successful restore, test your system. Open a few programs and check that your files are intact before assuming everything is fixed.

Troubleshooting

If SFC says it cannot repair some files: Run DISM first (step 3), then run SFC again. The DISM tool fixes the underlying image that SFC relies on.

If DISM gets stuck at 20% or 40%: This is normal â€“ it can appear frozen for a long time. Wait at least 30 minutes before assuming it’s hung. If it truly stalls, restart your PC and try again with a wired internet connection.

If you can’t boot into Safe Mode: Use the installation media method (step 6) to access the recovery environment. You can also try pressing F8 repeatedly during startup, though this is less reliable on modern Windows 10.

If “Reset this PC” also fails with the same error: You may need to do a full clean install of Windows 10. Back up your files first (you can access them via the installation media’s “Repair your computer” > “Troubleshoot” > “Command Prompt” and copy them to an external drive). Then boot from the installation media and choose “Install now” instead of “Repair.” This wipes everything but gives you a fresh, working system.

If the error appears during a backup (not restore): The issue might be with the backup destination. Try a different external drive or a different folder, and ensure the destination has enough free space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will these steps delete my personal files?
A: No. Steps 1 through 7 do not touch your personal files. Step 8 (Reset this PC) with “Keep my files” also preserves them, though it removes installed apps. Only a clean install (mentioned in Troubleshooting) erases everything.

Q: How long does the DISM command take?
A: It typically takes 10 to 30 minutes, but can take longer on slower connections or older hardware. Let it run without interruption.

Q: Can I fix this without administrator access?
A: No. All the repair commands (SFC, DISM, System Restore) require administrator privileges. If you don’t have them, you’ll need to contact the account administrator.

Q: Why does the error code say “0x80070057” specifically?
A: This code is a generic “invalid argument” error in Windows. In the context of restore, it usually means the restore point data is unreadable or the system files needed to process it are corrupted.

Q: Is it safe to delete all restore points?
A: Yes, it’s safe. You lose the ability to revert to an older state, but you can create a new restore point immediately after. The disk space previously used by old points is freed up.

Q: What if I don’t have a Windows 10 installation USB?
A: You can create one using the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official website. It requires a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space. This is a free and legitimate tool.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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