8000FFFF Windows Update Error

This is fairly common Windows Update Error that I have mainly seen on Windows Vista. This page lists possible "fixes" that have helped folks on the public forums.

Hopefully this article will help you resolve the problems you are having.

What Causes The Windows 8000FFFF Error

A quick scan of the online technical forums and blogs reveal folks asking for help with this windows error.
Your question may be the same as this typical request:

"I have suddenly developed a problem with updating my Vista PC. Windows Update just gives me the 8000ffff code - windows could not search for new updates."

Error 8000FFFF is a bit of a pain in that it seems to have multiple reasons for occurring so I can not give you a clear reason for it happening...

Please Note: Some forums mention a corrupt Windows Update Agent 3.0 and get you to download and run a file called: WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe PLEASE do NOT do this. This is for Windows XP and not Windows Vista! More here.

Hopefully these tips may help resolve the 8000FFFF error for you:

8000FFFF - Resolution Suggestion One:

Rename the "SoftwareDistribution folder" in an attempt to clear this error. To do this:

1) Stop the Automatic Update/Windows Update service.

To do this in Windows XP go to the Start Menu --> Control Panel --> Performance and Maintenance --> Administrator Tools --> Services --> Double Click "Automatic Updates Service" --> On General Tab for this service select the STOP button under Service Status.

To do this in Windows Vista go to the Start Orb --> Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Services --> Double Click "Windows Update Service" --> On General Tab for this service select the STOP button under Service Status.


2) Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder in C:\Windows to SoftwareDistribution.old

3) Re-Start the Automatic Update/Windows Update service. (...use the instructions in no.1) above.

On the next Windows Update, Vista will rebuild the folder C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution


8000FFFF - Resolution Suggestion Two:

Some important Windows Update system files may need to be re-registered with the operating system.

So try this:

1)

In Windows XP go to the Run item on the Start menu, and type:

In Windows Vista go to the Start Search box on the Start Menu, and type:


regsvr32 wuapi.dll

...and then press Enter.

2)

When you receive the "DllRegisterServer in WUAPI.DLL succeeded" message, click OK.

3)

Please repeat these steps for each of the following commands:

regsvr32 wuaueng.dll

regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll

regsvr32 atl.dll

regsvr32 wucltui.dll

regsvr32 wups.dll

regsvr32 wups2.dll

regsvr32 wuweb.dll


8000FFFF - Resolution Suggestion Three:

Look in Windows Update history and see if any previous updates have failed, try and manually download the file and install.

Reboot and try Windows Update again.

Also check your WindowsUpdate.Log for any clues of "FAILURE" or "FATAL ERROR".

Location is at: %windir%\WindowsUpdate.log

Typically this will be: C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log


8000FFFF - Resolution Suggestion Four:

Make sure the Vista Windows Update services are running.

Click Start

Type in: services.msc to the Start Search box and press the Enter key.

Accept the User Access Control message that appears.

Now the Services Windows will appear.

In the right pane, check the following three services have been started:

Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)

Windows Event Log

Windows Update

...they all need to be running for Windows Update to run. (Tip - not used to using Winds Services? Then you need this guide.