C80003F3 Windows Update Error

Article Published by Marc Liron - Microsoft MVP

Finding a Solution for the C80003F3 Error

This is a fairly common Windows Update error and hopefully this article will help you resolve the problems you are having.

What Causes Windows Error C80003F3

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'm running Windows Vista (Home Premium) When I click "Check for Updates" in Windows Update I get the following error:

"Windows could not search for new updates Error(s) found: C80003F3"

OR

I'm running Windows XP and when I click "Check for Updates" in Windows Update I get the following error:

"[Error number: 0xC80003F3] The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are trying to view. The options provided below might help you solve the problem."

 ...or perhaps you just notice an entry in your WindowsUpdate Log similar to this:

"c80003f3 AutomaticUpdates Failure Software Synchronization Error: Agent failed detecting with reason: 0xc80003f3."

So what can you do?

C80003F3 - Resolution Suggestion One:

In most cases you can resolve this error by doing the following, however it is not for "newbies" so you may need a "tech" friend to do it for you. (and please note that there other ways to do this, but this is the way I would do it... so no sending me emails!)

Step 1

First register you will need to register the following files:

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 MSXML3.dll /s
 
net stop wuauserv
 
cd /d %windir%\SoftwareDistribution
 
rd /s /q DataStore
 
net start wuauserv


Step 2

This "may" result in any/all of the following errors in WindowsUpdate.log:


0x80240013
0x8024400a
0x80240017


Step 3

So you will need to register the following system files too...

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 softpub.dll

regsvr32 initpki.dll

regsvr32 mssip32.dll

Step 4

You may also receive the following errors in your WindowsUpdate.log don't panic!


0x80070008
0x80240017

(if you have never heard of this log file then you need to read this.)


Step 5

Finally, you will need to performed the following:


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.

...and that should have now resolved the C80003F3 error for you!

Please note if you do NOT understand Windows Services then you REALLY need to grab a copy of my guide.

The following material may be of further assistance... 

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Kind Regards

Marc Liron - Microsoft MVP
http://www.marcliron.com