Why did I get error 0x80040540?

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 0x80040540?

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
0x1c01f000 allocated bytes 0x82040d00 0x0201f800 0x00000000 0x4a03505d 0x4a03505c 0x000000f0 with 0x00000004 0x4802480b 0x00ffffff 0x82000500 Update Windows Linux 0x5924080b 0x5c026000 0xffffe000 0x417a6000 0x4d300000 Solution FreeBSD 0x4a03505b 0x4a03505a Firmware 0x59940823 0x4a038805 Docsvision 0x497b2823 error 0x80006080 code 0x8001162c solved 0x0502001e 0x61fa880f 0x0010b6ca 0x417a4000 0x59241206 0x42003000 0x00fffffe 0x42024800 0x5c027800 0x5c028000 0x0511fc4a master openzfsqlfw8100c 0x59a802cc 0x4d400000 0x4d3c0000 0x05000012 0x41780800 0x600a7800 0x60aa8000 bahamas10openzfs 0x050df818 0x48035415 0xfffff000 0x8c000502 0x59a80214 0x0501f002 0x4803c857 0x48035214 GitHub 0x59a80415 0x00000fff 0x59a80c20 CPEN331 Assignment Google 0x80040680 Sites 0x0010930f 0x00000010 0x4a03505e 0x4a03505f 0x4a035010 0x00000002 0x8003f780 542642 seconds 64701 from Exception 1195788680 0x80041b00 0x80023cfc 0x80043c00 took Operation 0x5c001000 0x82000540 0x5c000000 0x00003e00 0x4c040000 0x4c000000 results Generic 0x82080400 Target SourceForge Subsystem 0x59940027 Searchcode engine 0x4c080000 0x0010193d 0x42001000 search 0x497b2828 0x59940828 0x00000003 snakeos ql2400fwc 0x80080580 e106d117c10i0x800001260x8000012a0 e94d106c12i0x800001260x800001260 chip abnormal mask WestEuropa OSFileOpen standaardtijd n760 0x8000012A Patchwork driversscsihisisashisisasv1hwc 0x3ce3ee Cross 0x0000ff87 init bypass 26102015 intr Free Reference 0x05020004 Mysterious 0x48026024 0x58300206 0x58300207 0x11701111 0x800008E0 0x08ff1810 0x8c14050a 0x000001f1 02102007 0x80000940 Fileinit 0x80000920 GetOSIntNesting 0x80000900 0x48026421 ISP2500mid 0x48026221 0x80080400 0x05000002 0x0f000000 0x492e480c 0x050000f2 0x5924000b 0x0511fa1b 0x48025802 0x5924000c 0x4803c856 0x800001c0 0x0001f81f 0x05020006 0x0501f0ed 11042016 lists 0x5924100b 0x00001fff 0x82081500 commit 0x59a80048 r297818 mailing headsysdevispfw support InitiatorTarget Multi 0x0000001d 0x59940022 0x48025c0b 0x592c0c0b scsi ISP2400 hisisas 0x00000084 devispfwasm2500h device Source 0x0511fc5f File 0x4a03500f 0x00104c15 0x00108a50 ISPFW kernel