Why did I get error 0x80000204?

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 0x80000204?

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
register 0x00000000 Composer chip define Interrupt Code Error Novell ENTRY Studio Name 0x80000208 Board Forum data according problem Synergy Memory 0x20 select 0x80000200 EXISTS Codes SMERR pending S7G2 stored force monitoring UART comfwh when size leonsparcyahoogroupscom variables frDword00 0x80000344 allignemnet fr0bya 0x80000334 0x10 storing sram using 0x80000210 Renesas 01092016 0x84000100 USBFA File 0x80000A10 NSUTF7IMAPStringEncoding Reference function power management FoundationExtension address FoundationExtensionNSStringEncodingh USBPM 0x80000238 0x80000000 0x18000000 SuperMicro GRMON 0xffffffff 0x67ffffff Cross 0x80000203 NSISOLatin3StringEncoding NSISOLatin4StringEncoding Linuxdriversusbgadgetlh7a40xudch Linux TABLE OVERFLOW 0x80000207 0x80000206 14012003 0x80000205 REMOVING 12042012 Class Port Card INVALID INDEX Heat Support Explanation Duplicate 2017 Values Documentation Source SMDR close 10018287 8000 Legal Micro Focus Careers pragma defaultvariableattributes frBuff mytypesh configuration 0x000022FF include fr0dwa 0x800002f4 0x40 0xF0 0x80000104 0x100 frXdwa Column Retry PrimeCell DDR2 Abort F2812 eZdsp cpu0 0x000000FF 0x00XXXXXX Bank Technical Dynamic Controller PL341