Why did I get error 0x800000EC?

Windows Update continous fails to search for Updates or cannot install them. The source of this problem could be various things as
> Windows Registry
> Windows Filesystem
> Internet access

> Windows Update service
> File corruption
> Misconfiguration
> Adware
> Virus and Malware

How to fix Windows Update error 0x800000EC?

However, if you’re technically savvy, you can try the steps below:

1. Click Start and start typing on your keyboard for "services.msc"

2. In your search results "services.msc" should show up. Open it with a click.
3. A new windows will open containing all Windows services on your system.

4. Search for "Windows Update"
5. Right-click the "Windows Update" and then click Stop.

We will now clean the Windows Update temporary cache folder:
1. Hold your windows-key pressed and hit "R" key simultanous.
2. A small new windows will appear.
3. Type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore in this new window and click OK.
4. This will open Windows Explorer on the correct location.
5. Delete all contents of this folder. (Hint: Use Ctrl + A to select all files and folders)

Now we will start the Windows Update Service again:
1. Switch back to the windows Services.
2. Locate Windows Update.
3. Right-click on it and choose Start.


If the problem still persists, you can run the System File Checker (SFC) utility. This handy in-built tool will check your filesystem.
1. Click Start and start typing on your keyboard for "cmd".
2. In your search results cmd should show up with an black icon.
3. Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
4. If you are prompted for the admin password, enter the password and click OK.
5. A new completely black windwos will open. You can type commands directly into this window.
6. Type sfc/scannow and press Enter.
7. This process will take a long time. You can minimize this black windows and work on.
Come back to the black window after a time and check if the process finished.
As soon as the SFC process finished, restart your computer. After the restart you search for Updates again.


You are still facing the same issue?

1. Restart your computer.

Next thing is to clean Windows Update download path. These steps are only for expirienced user! If you mess up your computer with Regedit, you could loose your files! Take care or use a professional tool to investiagte your computer.
1. Hold your windows-key pressed and hit "R" key simultanous.
2. A small new windows will appear.
3. Type regedit in this new windows and hit Enter.
4. In the new windows you have a navigation on the left side. Use it to navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
5. Once you found it, search for WUServer and WIStatusServer in the right hand pane.
6. If they are not listet we cannot clean the download path. Othwerwise delete both.
7. Restart your computer.

Try to search for new Updates again.
You are still facing this issue? I think this is not an usual problem and your computer should be checked by professional.
Try to look for a solution here or search further in the search box below.



Advanced information

The following Windows verisons are affected by this error:
> Windows Vista
> Windows 7
> Windows 8
> Windows 8.1
> Windows 10
> Windows 10 Redstone 2
> Windows 10 Creators Update
> Windows Server 2008 R2
> Windows Server 2012
> Windows Server 2016
Kernel import 0x01800000 0x81800000 fault page false Unhandled MEM1 GitHub Instruction read size 0x80000000-Memory-define-0x01800000">0x800000F0 Checksum 0x00000000 Displaying StatesArea 000d thread 15518713 0000 debugger exception starting Network Protocols 200601 wine 0x82E Summary WineHQ SRIM access address 0x7239ee01 1245 1922023966 Router FoundationExtension E286000B 0xE286000B r0r60xb S0x800000EC E5905000 0xE5905000 r5r00 0x80000000 0x0003803a 0x0003803b 0x0003803c 0x80000008 0x0000003a 0x80000004 0x0000003b NSMacOSInuitStringEncoding NSMacVT100StringEncoding 0x800000fc 0x80000098 FoundationExtensionNSStringEncodingh File NSMacOSUkrainianStringEncoding Data with 14122016 S0x800000E8 Platforms Tracing Fixed Virtual 04092008 Adresse Moniteur WiiBrew 0x800000CC Memory Mapfr Debuggage master protomousenintendont vu320x800000EC nintendontglobalc Dveloppement prsent Taille Small Piece Cheggcom Just Sample From DataSet 0x800000DC 0x00000018 0x800000C4 0x800000C8 0x800000E8 0x800000E0 0x800000E4 0x0000001C vu320x80003100 Opaque Sequence 0xf3d Area Layer 1003 Type Length 0002 Cisco Solutions INFO Options Advertisement LINK Wiki 19012016 NtOpenFile JayFoxRoxxqemu Physical vu320x80003104 Simulated 0x800000DB Implementing IPMPLSBased Ethernet Designing NtReadFile NtWriteFile 0x800000D3