Why did I get error 0x800003E8?
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 0x800003E8?
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
address 0x00000000 occurred Exception 0x20 1112 datastack read 0x80000000 1395 10292254 0000 default Summary from ignored data route nssa write Mailing 16082012 1111 0x80000001 usbbuff Router 1082 0x7bf2 Robert Cragie 0x7006 Puck 0x800003e2 file syntaxSOLUTION targetld HELP with testout master ostrichjockeyspimkeepstats GitHub PC0x00400284 0xeaa8 jnsp fetch spimkeepstatstestout PC0x00400818 16042004 value using addedsubstracted could just sees need anyone interval 0x7ffffc18 ECHOENDPOINTBUFFER1 IPsec myFileo ttbeOK 0xbb8 given values SourceForge Tools Lists 0x800003ec 0x800003f0 0x800003e4 0x800003dc 0x800003e0 DDR3 Keystone array incorrect initialization 1029240 Expect 0x0000a509 0x0000b0fe 1029220 0x80000008 Testing 0x0000003b 0x0000003a 0x80000004 Multicore 12042015 Communities Archive 1029210 List question control Threads VMware Gossamer writing error after Forum 06112014 0x02000000 0xFFFFFFFF still exceptions debugger