How to Fix 0x800704cf Error Code on Windows 10

0x800704cf is a network connection error that occurs on Windows 10 when trying to use the web browser or any other type of application to go online. It’s an annoying error code that plagues many users and prevents them from working or playing on their laptops and desktops.

The 0x800704cf error code could be triggered by various reasons related to your Internet connection. It can be challenging to find and fix the problem, but not impossible.

How to fix 0x800704cf network connection error on Windows 10

Before starting the troubleshooting process, it’s a good idea to set up a restore point on your computer. You will be able to roll back Windows if you begin experiencing more problems while attempting to fix this irritating error.

1. Run the Internet Connections troubleshooter

Windows 10 has integrated troubleshooters to fix common problems with various applications and features on your computer, including the Internet connection. Here’s how to use it.

Right-click the Start button and go to Settings
Click Update & Security
Select Troubleshoot on the left side
Select Internet Connections and click Run the troubleshooter
Follow the on-screen instructions and restart your PC

2. Change adapter options

You can quickly fix the 0x800704cf error code by making a small change in your Internet connection properties. Here’s what you need to do:

Sign in to Windows 10 as the administrator
Right-click the Start button and go to Network Connections
Click Change adapter options
Select your Internet connection from the list, right-click it, and go to Properties
In the Networking tab, uncheck Client for Microsoft Networks
Click OK and exit all windows
Restart your PC and try to go online

3. Reset your Internet connection

Another simple way to repair the 0x800704cf error and give your Internet connection a nudge is by resetting it from the command-line environment. Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience with CMD, as long as you follow the instructions below to flush your DNS server cache.

Press Win key+ R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch Command Prompt with elevation rights
Click Yes if prompted by UAC (User Account Control)

Copy and paste the following commands (press Enter after each line):

```
ipconfig /flushdns
```
```
nbtstat –RR
```
```
netsh int ip reset
```
```
netsh winsock reset
```

Exit Command Prompt and restart your machine

4. Reinstall the network device

If your network device is not properly installed, then you should expect network connectivity problems and error codes like 0x800704cf. However, you can easily reinstall it without having to turn to any third-party software solutions. Here’s what you need to do:

Press Win key+ R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter
In Device Manager, expand the Network adapters category
Identify and right-click your primary network adapter
Click Uninstall device
Restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the device

5. Update the network driver

On the other hand, if the network device is properly installed, then maybe its driver is obsolete. It usually happens when you connect a new Wi-Fi card to the PC, whose plug-and-play features aren’t configured correctly.

But you should be able to handle this problem and repair the 0x800704cf error by updating the network driver to the latest version. Here’s how to make it happen:

Right-click the Start button and go to Device Manager
Open the Network adapters group
Right-click your network device and select Update driver
Click Search automatically for updated driver software
If the search is unsuccessful, click Search for updated drivers on Windows Update
Reboot your computer

However, if Microsoft fails to find an updated driver using Windows Update, it’s up to you to update the network driver. This means going to the manufacturer’s website, finding a newer and compatible driver, downloading it, and installing it on your computer.

Unless you want to go through all that trouble and risk installing an incompatible driver that will render your Internet connection useless, we suggest opting for a driver update tool. You can use it to keep all your drivers in check, thanks to the fact that it automatically finds and installs newer drivers.

6. Sign in using a Microsoft account

Switching to a local account from a Microsoft account seems to cause application desync problems. Left unchecked, they lead to the 0x800704cf error code, which cripples your Internet connection.

To fix this problem, all you have to do is sign in using a Microsoft account. Here’s how to do it:

Right-click the Start button and go to Settings
Click Accounts
Select Login to your Microsoft account
Enter your credentials
Click Verify to confirm your ID through SMS or another way

7. Sign in using a local account

If you were already logged in with your Microsoft account, then try switching to a local account to see what happens. You can create one on the spot with admin privileges.

How to create a local user account:

Right-click the Start button and go to Settings
Select Accounts
Click Sign in with a local account instead
Set your password or PIN to confirm your identity
In the Enter your local account info screen, specify a new username and password
Click Next and then Sign out and finish
Log back in to Windows 10 using the new local account
Check if you still get the 0x800704cf error code

9. Reset Microsoft Store

The 0x800704cf error can occur when trying to download or install apps from the Microsoft Store. When that happens, you can try resetting the Microsoft Store app. Here’s what you need to do:

Right-click the Start button and go to Apps and Features
Click the Search this list box and type Microsoft Store
Select the Microsoft Store entry and click Advanced options
Scroll down and click the Reset button
Click Reset again to confirm
Try to use Microsoft Store now

10. Fix system errors

Your operating system might have corrupt critical files which trigger network connectivity issues and the 0x800704cf error code. On the bright side, you can fix system errors easily using SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management).

Get started by running SFC and, if it fails, you can turn to DISM since it’s a more powerful application. Both tools can be launched from the console environment.

How to run SFC:

Press Win key+ R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run CMD as admin
Run sfc /scannow and wait until it finishes
Reboot your computer

How to run DISM:

Open CMD with elevation rights
Run DISM /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth and press Enter
If it detects any errors, run DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth to handle them
After DISM is done, restart your PC
Fire up Command Prompt as admin again and run SFC
Restart your PC

11. Uninstall recent updates

Microsoft sometimes screws the pooch when it comes to Windows updates, pushing hotfixes and security patches that end up damaging various parts of your PC.

If you notice that you started getting the 0x800704cf error after completing a Windows Update, then you should probably remove it from your PC. Here’s what you should do:

Press Win key+ R, type control panel, and press Enter
Go to Programs and Features
Click View installed updates
Click the Installed On column to view the newest updates first
Double-click the first update. When prompted to uninstall, click Yes to confirm
Reboot your PC

12. Update Windows 10

On the other hand, known network problems that trigger the 0x800704cf error are likely to get fixed in upcoming Windows updates, so make sure to allow them. If you haven’t used your PC for a long time, then you should probably check for updates.

Press the Win key, type Check for updates, and go to this area
Windows will begin checking of updates automatically. Wait until it finishes
If there are any pending updates, click Download to retrieve them
This process could take a while, so it’s a good idea to leave your PC unattended
Restart your computer when it’s over

13. Check your computer for malware

Some malware agents focus on taking down your Internet connection so that you can no longer turn to an Internet security solution for help. But that shouldn’t stop you from performing a scan to find and eliminate any pests.

Unless you have a third-party antimalware tool installed, you can turn to Defender on Windows 10.

Press the Win key, type Windows Security, and open this app
Go to Virus & threat protection
Click Scan options
Select Quick scan and click Scan now
Wait until the scan is over. If the results don’t show any threats, run a new scan using the Windows Defender Offline scan setting
Reboot your PC when the second scan is done

14. Use System Restore

System Restore mode should save you from any unforeseen events which may have caused network connectivity problems and led to the 0x800704cf error code.

In order for it to work, you must have created a system restore point before getting the error.

Make sure to log in to Windows 10 with the administrator role
Press Win key+ R, type control panel, and hit Enter
Select Recovery
Click Open System Restore
Choose a restore point, click Next, and follow the instructions
Reboot your PC

15. Clean boot Windows 10

You can boot your operating system by activating all the essential drivers, processes, and services, and by leaving out everything else. A clean system boot helps isolate and ultimately resolve network connectivity problems.

Press the Windows key, type System Configuration, and open this app
Go to the Services area
Uncheck Hide all Microsoft services and click Disable all
Switch to the Startup section and click Open Task Manager
Click the Status column to sort all startup apps by status (Enabled first)
Select the first app in the list and click Disable
Do this for all startup apps with the Enabled status
Exit and restart Windows

The 0x800704cf error can be fixed

In conclusion, 0x800704cf is a network connection error that can occur on Windows 10 due to various software problems. However, you can try to fix it by running the Internet Connections troubleshooter, modifying adapter options, and resetting your Internet connection.

Furthermore, you can reinstall the network driver or update it to the newest version, sign in using a Microsoft or local user account, reset Microsoft Store to default, as well as fix system errors using SFC or DISM.

You can also uninstall recent updates which may have compromised your network connections, run Windows Update, check your PC for malware, roll back Windows to a previous checkpoint, and clean boot your operating system.

Which of the fixes above solved the 0x800704cf problem on your computer? Did we miss any important steps? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Elena Constantinescu

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