After the shift from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 many users are facing different types of bugs and error in their system and the error 0x8000ffff is one of them. It primarily happens during the process of updating Windows. But, some users have also encountered it while using the Windows Store.
In a normal situation, this error occurs due to a glitch of the Microsoft App Servers. That glitch acts as a connection blockage and stops all the flow of date. This creates a connection issue between the Windows Update/Store and Microsoft App Servers. And that thing is informed to you in the form of this error code. Apart from that, this error can also generate due to corrupted files and virus attacks.
However, all the causes of error code 0x8000ffff are connected with the software part of the system. That’s why they are quite easy to solve with the help of proper technical information.
In this article, we have provided those important pieces of technical information let’s get into them
In a Windows OS, there are many things which can interrupt the Windows Update process and generate the Windows 10 error 0x8000ffff. Hence, you need to apply solutions easily and efficiently through this guide. This will help you to eliminate this error very quickly.
In the below-section, we have gathered some prime solutions of the error code 0x8000ffff.
Let’s have a look at them:
There is a possibility that your Windows Updating process is disturbed by a malware or virus. That’s why before applying any kind of advanced solution you should verify about it. Although the Windows Defender is a great antivirus in itself. But still, you can use any third party Antivirus for scanning purposes.
To use the Windows Defender’s deep-scan follow the steps given below:
The scanning process will take 15-20 minutes to get completed. And once the process gets finished, it will start removing all the malware and antivirus present on your system. After that, you can restart your updating process to verify the existence of the error.
Sometimes due to virus infection or any unapparent causes, the system files get corrupt. This thing can create a lot of problematic situation in a system and the code 0x8000ffff is one of them.
Hence, you need to verify that thing and then, repair it. And to do that, you would need help from the SFC tool.
Once you do that, the SFC tool will begin the files scanning and repairing process. Now if it failed to fix this error code, then use the DISM tool.
In order to activate the DISM tool, you need to type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” command line on the Command Prompt Window. After you do that, the DISM file scanning and repairing process will begin.
When it finishes that process, reboot your system and test the Windows Update.
The next solution you can try on this error code is the Windows Update Troubleshooter. It is one of the most basic troubleshooting methods but it is a quite powerful weapon against the Error Code 0x8000ffff.
Now, it will take some time and will eventually remove the Windows update error 0x8000ffff. Once it is done doing that, try the Windows updating process again to verify the presence of the error.
Another cause of this error code is the crashing of the Windows Store. It usually happens when updates, apps and pending downloads are corrupted. That’s why to fix it, you have to remove them from the Windows Store and then, restart it freshly. But don’t worry, it won’t hurt your original files or the update related to it. Once the issue gets resolved the process will begin again.
This command will remove all the process of Windows Store and restart it. Once it finishes that, the uncompleted App will start updating and downloading automatically.
Now, you can perform your Windows updating process again without the fear of the Windows Update error code.
If the method provided in the above section is unable to help you remove the 0x8000ffff code of the Update Error, then the next thing you can try is the Re-register method. In this process, you have to Re-register your Windows Store with the assistance of Powershell.
“powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRoot\WinStore\AppxManifest.xml”
After this, your system will reboot itself. And once it has done that, check about the error code
Now if your system’s Date And Time isn’t set properly then the Windows Store will unable to connect with the Windows App servers and that thing will create this error code. Hence it is quite a necessary thing to do.
Check your date and time and if it is correct, then move onto the next solution. But if it is incorrect, then follow the steps given below.
After doing that, you have to relaunch the Windows update/store in order to check about the Error Code 0x8000ffff.
The Software Distribution folder is system oriented folder. It mainly stores those temporary files which will be required during any updating process. Now, it is possible that the Software Distribution folder contains some corrupted update files. And the files are causing issues in the Window Updating process.
That’s why to remove those corrupted update files you have to delete the contents of The Software Distribution.
To do that, open that folder by following this path “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution”. Once you get there, delete all of its content
After doing that, you have to reset the Catroot & Catroot2 folder. They are also one of those system oriented folders which are connected with the Windows updating process. Hence there resetting process is a mandatory step in the path of Error Code 0x8000ffff solution.
“net stop cryptsvc
md %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old
xcopy %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old /s”
Now you can launch the Windows Update again and continue the updating process.
In some situations, it has been found this error code appears due to improper user account settings. However, that thing can easily be solved with the creation of a new User Account.
“net user /add [username] [password]
net localgroup administrators [username] /add
Now at the place of username and password, you have to type the combination of letters of your choice. After that, hit the Enter key and reboot your system.
Once your system, login into your New User Account and verify about the presence of the error. If it is not appearing then move your old date there.
To do that, visit this location c:\users\previous-user-name and copy data from there.
Now, on the same Command Prompt Window, you have to type “shutdown /l /f” and hit the Enter.
This command will log you off, then you can log in again into your newly created account. There you have to test the Windows Updating process once more and if still running well, then use it as your primary account. To do that, you can use your old Microsoft account or you can create a new one.
If you are facing this error while the updating process then it might be possible that it is causing by a third-party application. But almost any third-party or system applicant can interfere with the updating process. That’s why, if you want to find the problematic application, then you have to check the installation log.
After that, remove that application because that application is the cause of the Error Code 0x8000ffff. For that purpose, you can use the traditional application removal method or you can do it with the help of an application removal tool. Once you completed the removal process, reboot your system and give another try to the updating process.
We hope our solutions are able to help you with the Windows update error 0x8000ffff situation. To know about more tech-related problems and their solutions keep following our articles.