Why did I get error 0x800003DC?
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
> Windows Filesystem
> Internet access
> Windows Update service
> File corruption
> Misconfiguration
> Adware
> Virus and Malware
How to fix Windows Update error 0x800003DC?
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
6. If they are not listet we cannot clean the download path. Othwerwise delete both.
7. Restart your computer.
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
> 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
0x00000000 0x00000010 0x800003e0 0x800003d8 Time 0x800003da 0x800003e4 0x800003d4 0x800003a0 0x800003ec 0x800003de 0xefa3cb60 Current 0x80000330 0xc0148000 0x800003e8 0x800003d0 PLease Help Overclockers 981dfsg bind9 0x00000400 zakkaklbbind master lbbindunicodedata320c GitHub Noob 0x800003e2 0x80000000 223343 0x000000000x0006ff980x6400bf300x000fe05f0x800003dc0x3ffa0ffe 0x0007fff50x0000ec800x6c005f880x807f000e0x200004fc0x0ffa006a 2010 05072010 Daylight Eastern index Back unicodedata3208csourcehtml 05935 Nothingsorg stbfonttimes42latinextinl 05936 Windows Toms 0x800003a6 Debian with ARAnyM Hardware unicodedata320cv NetBSD 10122010 christos 003954 20120605 hanging 2011 170131 0x80000004 06022011 Standard Central 0x80000008 0x80003bc0 27072012 usage Type Slow system