Why did I get error 0x80000502?

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 0x80000502?

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
static 101032 Novell STERRORGROUPDOESNOTEXISTS 0x80000501 Forum 0x80000500-REG0x80000504-IRQINTRSR">0x80000504 20170207 200650586 Adding 0x80000500 SMERR REGISTERED Codes Error TARGET enum NSMacOSJapaneseStringEncoding Enumerations FoundationExtensionNSStringEncodingh File 0x80000001 NSMacOSTraditionalChineseStringEncoding 0x80000002 Coldfire Question uC5282 0x36e4 101070 1377 Switching 12032012 101039 0x80000685 0xbfe7 FoundationExtension 0xa956 102010 1257 zacznikw Documentation XPx64 zawarto pliku Lista Sametime STError 28112007 0x90000502 W2K3x64 0xA0000502 zobacz movel sp4d0 memset112 rtems 30032010 memset108 Pobierz plik inteltxt memset114 assembler dump subnet Compiler Tasking 20122016 0x80000600 FAILED TriCore 0x8000034e 0x80000746 fputc 0x80000428 doprint 0x8000051c ioputc 10018287 8000 Support 2016 Micro Focus 14012003 Explanation DATA FOUND 0x80000407 INVALID CONSTRUCTOR Notes Values SMDR Instant Messaging ErrorCode Source redistribute ospf summary STERRORILEGALFORSHORTCUT nexus 7000 interrupt function C2000 flsbuf hostwrite receive 32bit Identifier ECanaMboxesMBOX1MSGIDall ECanaMboxesMBOX2MSGIDall 27102014 MBOX0MSGIDall Extended