Why did I get error 0x800003FF?

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 0x800003FF?

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
ISDN 0x00000000 32bit Mode Bank Kernel length 084807656 Back from name 20001 ocxfn address 00000000 interface testcreatestdlibcontext Fedora 0x10000000 HASSNI OPALL True Twenty Four OPNOTLSv11 ffffffff 0xc0000000 User Io0xc00003ff Google Seite Quadrant BooksErgebnisseite tracker Python Linux under allocatable text 282202 Message 12072000 date 0x80FFA3000x81F0E30C0x87E0633C 0xFF03FC030xFF03FC030xFF03FC030xFC00FC0F0xFFFFFC000xFFFFFC000x800003FF0x800003FF file TIChess initial logoc 124m88ksimreferenceoutputsmall Effective fpcr Program 00011C88 0x00011C88 LLVM 0x00000001 fpsr debug works There 13042015 attributepersistent testtestssl production fails data other 0x10 project also 0x800003ef 0x80000330 0x800003f0 0xc0 ox800FDFFF oxoooFDcoo stack SAcK PR06FnA 0x00000400 ox800004oo pr09ram Routing Calls 26102015 over oxooooZooo oxBooFEooo Router Same 0x80000000 lineGetDevCaps0x800003FF 102901 LINEDEVCAPS 0x20001 Rufnummer bergabe 3CXde TAPI Community PICKonicaWP20150204151517 sdram free lineNegotiateAPIVersion800003FF 102902 EXTENSIONID 10003 Channel marking Abstrakt 0x8000FF000x800003FF 0x0000FF000x000003FF Datasheet Datenblatt Deutschland Archive Fujitsu word Internals HPUX Writing Note fourth every 0x8000FF00 084747031 Serial01015 10CProgram LogLevels Number Mask Session Discards LineClosesLineId5 0x103bc lineNegotiateAPIVersion0x800003ff tapic 084806625 FilesVoiceGuidelogtw LINEREPLY5 tapie