Why did I get error 0x80040131?

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 0x80040131?

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
NoAccessException Error 0x8003e031 0x80100331 0x8007e031 0x80000131 0x800be031 0x80040331 0x800be231 0x80000331 0x800fe231 0x800c0331 0x8013e231 0x80080331 0x00000009 03072017 0x8003ee31 00018000 0xb0f00000 0xee1234ee 0x40000000 0x800c0131 0x800fe031 0x80080131 0x2013001c 0x80100131 0x8013e031 0x8007e231 0x80045f26 0x80042f55 0x8003d4af 0x8004f928 0x8004c403 0x800490b1 0x8003a9c3 0x80030d0e 0x8002e969 0x8002c718 0x80038062 0x80035880 0x80033212 Read Pudncom 0x8006ea55 0x8003e231 acrar armACAACIMDCTWindowQ31Tablesc 0x8006a4ab 0x8005a40e 0x80056920 0x8005302d 0x80066145 0x80062012 0x8005e104 SendToTracerChangeQuery PunkteQuery NotificationBroadcastMembershipChange Hexagon 10112016 Refresh objNotificationBroadcastMembershipChange another Toolbar Ausnahme This works fine 80040131eighty million forty Hexadecimal InformationHexadecimal Number thousand OriginatingPipe from GRecordset hundred thirtyone getting encounter program programming CMyClassMethodThatThrows throw might language unmanaged code 1651 uses both managed rsQueryRecordsetP HRESULTs Exceptions HRESULT line orpQueryPipe Microsoft public ApplicationException EACCESSDENIED Docs 30032017 Class