Solution for the C80003F3 Error

[vshori]

What Causes Windows Error C80003F3

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 here is the solution on How to fix C80003F3 Error

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.


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

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


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

Source: Updatexp.com

[EINSTEIN_007]

Here is another solution from Microsoft: error 0xC80003F3 and 0x8007006E in Windows Update