How to fix error code 80072F8F?

Question

When using Windows Update in Windows 7, it doesn't check automatically for updates anymore.  It did a couple of weeks ago, but it randomly stopped doing it.  When I click "Check for Updates", it gives me a popup saying  "Windows could not search for new updates.  An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer.  Error(s) found: Code 80072F8F"  My time is correct, and I used the Fix It thing Microsoft has for this problem, and it's still happening.  I haven't gotten an update for Windows since May 24th now, so I'm worried that my security is at risk, and I can't seem to fix it.  My anti-virus software (Kaspersky) says i'm currently Virus free, so I don't understand why this problem won't go away.  Please help!

Answer 1

Hi,

1. Which Fix-it have you tried?
2. Do you remember making any changes to the computer prior the issue?

How to check which update is failing:

a)    Click the ‘Start’ button then ‘All Programs’ and then click ‘Windows Update’

b)    In the left pane click on ‘View update history’.

c)    Check for which update is failing in the list.

You can try the following methods.

Method 1:

I would suggest you to run the windows update troubleshooter

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Windows-Update-troubleshooter

Method 2:

Try the following steps, ‘Windows Update error 80072f8f’

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Windows-Update-error-80072f8f

Try to synchronize your computer’s clock with an Internet server.

Method 3:

Put the computer in ‘Clean boot’ and then try to update.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: When the troubleshooting is over do not forget to reset the computer to normal startup. Follow the step 7 in the above article.

Method 4:

How do I reset Windows Update components?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Answer 2

You can try this method following:

Step 1: Save the OS

The first thing you'll need is an antivirus program. Scan your system to find any viruses that have crept in and then remove them. You could even try using more than one antivirus, for optimal results.

Step 2: Check Hard Drive Issues

1. Boot your system through Safe Mode
2. Open your computer directory and then right-click on Drive and select Properties
3. Go to the Tool tab under properties and click Check Box under Error-Checking
4. Next click both Check Boxes: Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors
5. Finally, hit the Start button

Step 3: Fix Malfunctioning Programs

1. When booting your PC, press F8 to Open Advance Boot Manager
2. Select Safe Mode as Boot Option
3. Turn to the Control Panel and click Uninstall Programs
4. Remove the latest installed application, the latest before the error occured (or any software that you suspect may cause the error)

Step 4: System Restore

1. Go to Advanced Recovery Options while booting from the Windows Installation Disc
2. Select System Restore
3. The "Restore Options" list is displayed. Choose the point from which you want to continue, making sure it is from before the issue occured

Step 5: Re-Install Windows

Finally, if nothing works, you can always pick to reinstall the OS. This, no doubt, permanently removes all data and settings and will most likely repair the Windows issues

Usually, the error has been fixed. If not, you can try the fix tool as this one, you can download it and fix your PC error simply.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

Each time I have a power outage, I get these error messages  (80072F8F) that Windows Live Mail can't update or about the Calendar not updating. Lightning strikes in the area that travel up your phone lines knock the PC out of sync, just like it knocks your clocks and microwaves and TVs out of sync.

I 'fix' the problem by going to;

Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Clock, Language, and Region, and then clicking Date and Time.

Once the date was corrected, the e-mail program worked fine.

However, I have had to reinstalled Windows Live Mail for Win-7  >http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/essentials <, with no loss to stored folders and e-mails (30-day back up on Live Mail server).

You also should check to see if your PC is synchronized with the Internet. Click Change Settings and then Update Now in the new window. Click OK, and close out the pop-up.

You may still need to change setting on Windows Update (again the same 'error' message for 80072F8F; which seems to be a generic code.

Go to Control Panel, System and Security, Windows Update, Turn automatic updating on and off. Make sure Install automatic updates choice is checked under 'Important Updates' heading, and also check the other update selections (you can change them later). Windows will then automatically check to see if your system is up to date.

The automatic Security Essentials updating is what usually stops my machine after a power outage.