I have several windows server 2008 r2 machines and only one will not accept updates from the windows site. It fails with a generic error 8000FFFFF. Get help with this error shows nothing.

I attempted several internet suggestions such as stopping the service and renaming the windows softwaredistribution file, and the catroot2 file to no avail. I downloaded the 10 critical updates manually and attempted to install individually they each failed. I am at a complete loss as to where to turn next without rebuilding the machine completely but since this is my DNS server I am reluctant to do that.

The problem happens on the latest .net updates but the system will not let me update anything.

Any direction would help greatly.

Jay

Hi

 Have you ever checked this forum answers about error 8000fffff;

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/windowsserver/en-US/ce57aa7e-f9b9-4ead-9974-4c90620b5727/windows-update-error-8000ffff-unknown-error

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-windows_update/error-8000ffff-on-update-kb929777-tried-fix-in/faa35aa4-6d48-4284-ae79-6212de79f318?auth=1

• Proposed as answer by Vivian_WangMicrosoft community contributor, Moderator 3 hours 51 minutes ago

Hi

 Have you ever checked this forum answers about error 8000fffff;

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/windowsserver/en-US/ce57aa7e-f9b9-4ead-9974-4c90620b5727/windows-update-error-8000ffff-unknown-error

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-windows_update/error-8000ffff-on-update-kb929777-tried-fix-in/faa35aa4-6d48-4284-ae79-6212de79f318?auth=1

• Proposed as answer by Vivian_WangMicrosoft community contributor, Moderator Tuesday, July 07, 2015 3:11 AM

Hi,

In addition to others.

Please check the permissions on  the root of C: and ensure that BUILTIN\Users have Read access.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/brad_rutkowski/archive/2008/07/03/windows-update-fails-with-8000ffff-e-unexpected.aspx

Meanwhile, you could post the detailed error messages in the windows update logs and event viewer.

Please feel free to let us know if you have any update about this issue.

Regards.

Hi; I have looked at all suggested articles and thought we had a winner with the builtin/user permissions. I have checked the permissions and they are correct or at least exactly what the article says. Still back at square one cannot install updates.

I am about ready to rebuild this machine but that seems such a waste, there has to be someone who has this same error or has seen a fix from Microsoft.

Below is the message from the windows update log: I looked on 7/6 which was the last time I updated and did not see any errors in the event log.

Security Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 Edition (KB3063858)

Installation date: ?7/?6/?2015 10:20 AM

Installation status: Failed

Error details: Code 8000FFFF

Update type: Important

A security issue has been identified in a Microsoft software product that could affect your system. You can help protect your system by installing this update from Microsoft. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article. After you install this update, you may have to restart your system.

More information:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3063858

Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com

Hi,

Thanks for your response.

The problem happens on the latest .net updates but the system will not let me update anything.

Did it mean the issue occured after you installed some updates related .net framework,  Right?

If that is the issue, did you try to uninstall the update to check the result?

Did you check the CBS log? Is there any error message about the issue?

Regards.