Fix Update Error 0x8000ffff in Windows

Microsoft provides constant updates with several features, security upgrades and bug fixes. But sometimes, Windows update itself may run into critical error, stopping you from updating your system.

This is exactly the error most users come across when updating Windows 10 to version 1607. Corrupted system files, malicious software, performing system restore or the system failing to start the right services usually triggers the error message.

First, restart your system and check your internet connection to make sure that the error is not due to a bug or internet issues in Windows. If these do not work, you might need to perform some advanced fixes.

Reset Windows Update Component

Software Distribution is a crucial system file that temporarily saves update files that may be needed to install Windows Update. To reset Windows update component, you need to replace Software Distribution folder so that Windows creates a new one.

But, first you need to disable Windows Update services.

1. Press the Windows + R key to open Run.
2. Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt as administrator.
3. Type the following commands and press Enter after each command.
   • net stop bits
   • net stop wuauserv
   • net stop cryptSvc
   • net stop msiserver
     
4. Type the following command to rename the previous Software Distribution folder so that Windows creates a new one.
   • ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.bak
   • ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
     
5. Now restart previously stopped services by typing the following command in the command prompt.
   • net start bits
   • net start wuauserv
   • net start cryptSvc
   • net start msiserver
     
6. Restart Windows and try updating your PC.

If Windows still gives you the error message, you need to make sure that some crucial Windows update services are running. You can do this using Services.

1. Press the Windows + R key to open Run.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter to open Services.
   
3. Scroll down and select COM+ Event System.
   
4. Make sure that Service Status indicates Running.
   
5. Also ensure that the services mentioned below are running.
   • DCOM Server Process Launcher
   • Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
   • Windows Update

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows update troubleshooter scans your system for components related to Windows update that might be causing the Windows update error. Once the scan completes, the troubleshooter makes necessary changes to the system to fix the problem.

1. Press the Windows + I key to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot.
   
3. Select Other troubleshooters.
   
4. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter to scan any issues with the Windows update.
   

Check System Files

System files are a crucial part of Windows without which the OS cannot operate. Corrupted system files can cause Windows components to malfunction, in our case Windows Update. You can run the System File Checker (SFC) to scan and repair your system files.

Before you run SFC, make sure that you run the DISM command. SFC uses Windows Image to repair any corrupted system files. But if the Windows image itself is corrupted, you need to run the DISM command to repair Windows Image from the online repository.

1. Press the Windows + R key to open Run. 
2. Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Command Prompt as Admin.
   
3. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
   
4. Once the process completes, restart your PC.
5. Again, open Command Prompt as Admin.
6. Type sfc /scannow and press enter to run SFC.
   
7. Restart your computer once the verification process completes.

Run Virus and Threat Protection

Malicious files and applications in your PC could also cause the update error 0x8000ffff. Thankfully, Windows has a built in Virus and Threat Protection feature which detects and removes malware from your system.

1. Press the Windows + R key to open Run.
2. Type windowsdefender: to open Windows Security.
   
3. Select Virus & threat protection.
4. Click on Scan options.
   
5. Check Full scan and press Scan now.
   

Scanning your PC may take some time. Once the process completes, Windows will list all the malicious files in your PC. Removing them would be the best course of action. Once removed, try updating Windows. 

Set Correct Date and Time

When you perform a Windows update, your system connects to the Microsoft Update server. Wrong date and time on your system may cause conflicts when connecting to the server during an update. In that case setting the correct Data and Time should fix the issue.

1. Press the Windows + I key to open Settings.
2. Go to Time & Language > Date & time.
   
3. Set the Time zone to  your current Time zone.
4. Make sure that Set time automatically is On.
   

Revert System Restore

When performing a System Restore, Windows may replace certain system files correctly. This can result in system file conflicts which may result in the update Error 0x8000ffff. If you are getting the error message after performing a System Restore, you can revert the update to fix the issue.

To revert previous System Restore,

1. Press the Windows + R key to open Run.
2. Type rstrui and press Enter to open System Restore.
   
3. Here Check Undo System Restore and select Next.
   
4. Click on Finish.
   
5. Select Yes if Windows asks for confirmation.
   
6. Wait for the system to restart and try updating the Windows.

Reset Windows

If your Windows is not getting any updates due to the Update Error 0x8000ffff, you might want to reset the entire Windows. Windows update not only adds features to the current version of Windows but also provides security upgrades. 

Failing to update Windows from time to time may make your system vulnerable. And if none of the methods mentioned above work, you might need to reset Windows to fix the issue. 

Resetting Windows installs a fresh version of Windows which should fix the error with your current version.

1. Press the Windows + I key to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Recovery.
   
3. Under Recovery options, select Reset this PC.
   
4. Click on Keep my files to save your personal files or Remove everything to perform a hard reset.
   
5. Click on Local reinstall.
   
6. Select Next.
7. Finally, select Reset to start the reset process.