Code error 656

Hi,

Thank you for posting the question on the Microsoft Community Forums.

Based on the description provided, it looks like you are facing an issue while installing Windows update on your computer.

It would be great if you could answer these questions in order to assist you further.

1.     Is the issue confined only while installing any particular update?

2.     Is there any security software installed on your computer?

Windows update error code 656 specifies that the Windows installer has encountered a generic problem or third party software conflicts.

I would suggest you to try the following methods and check.

Method 1:

I would suggest you to check the services status of Windows update and Windows Installer.

Windows Update service:

a. Click Start, in the start search box, type Services and press Enter.
b. Scroll down and find the Windows Installer.  Double-click “Windows Update” in the Services list.
c. On the General tab, make sure the service is started under “Service status”.
d. If the service is not running, under Service status, click Start, and then click OK.

Windows Installer Service:

a. Click Start, in the run box, type Services and press Enter.
b. Scroll down and find the Windows Installer.  Double-click “Windows Installer” in the Services list.
c. On the General tab, make sure the service is started under “Service status”.
d. If the service is not already running, under Service status, click Start, and then click OK.

Method 2:

I would suggest you to disable the security software and perform a clean boot and then try to install the update manually and check.

Disable security software:

Disable security software: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Disable-antivirus-software

Note: If you have to temporarily disable security software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.

Clean Boot:

Clean boot will check if any third party application is causing the issue, as clean boot helps in eliminating software conflicts.

How to troubleshoot problem by performing clean boot in Windows 7: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135      

Note: Once you are done with the troubleshooting, perform the steps in “How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot “to reset computer as usual.

Install the Updates Manually:

Download and install the update manually and check if it helps.

Follow the steps to install the update manually:

a.     Go to the Microsoft download center page

b.     Type the KB number in the search box and press Enter.

c.     Download and install the update and check if it helps.

Keep us posted on the status of the issue.

If you need any other information about Windows, feel free to post your questions and we will be glad to help.

Have several updates Windows 7  64 bit.  code error 656 and 641

Updates that will not update:

Security Update for Microsoft Silverlight (KB2847559)

Download size: 12.5 MB

Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 on XP, Server 2003, Vista, Windows 7, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2 for x64 (KB2804576)

Download size: 1.6 MB

Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 on XP, Server 2003, Vista, Windows 7, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2 for x64 (KB2835393)

Download size: 23.0 MB

Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 on XP, Server 2003, Vista, Windows 7, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2 for x64 (KB2840628)

Download size: 17.5 MB

Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 on XP, Server 2003, Vista, Windows 7, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2 for x64 (KB2836939)

Download size: 9.1 MB

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - August 2013 (KB890830)

Download size: 20.4 MB

Security Update for Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (KB2467173)

Download size: 18.4 MB

Update for Microsoft Security Essentials - 4.3.215.0 (KB2855265)

Download size: 13.2 MB

All the other 5 updated just fine but these are left and will not update. Tried numerous fixes and things recommended such as fixit and others but nothing seems to work. Tried clean boot but that does not work. Disabled firewall and antivirus software but that does not work. Gives error 641 and 656 and will not update.

Thanks for any help that anyone can give me

Robert,

Question for you - Is a 3rd party firewall being used in place of the native Windows firewall ?

Is this "software firewall" the Windows Firewall or a third-party firewall? If the latter, what is the name of this application ?

Do you have installed a 3rd-party firewall ?

If so, try turning OFF that firewall, and turn ON the Windows firewall instəad.

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current and if there has ever been any other anti-virus program installed. ?

If you have 3rd-party antivirus / security software, turn those OFF.

Has any third party cləanup utility or registry cləaner been run on your system?

Is System Mechanic installed?

The fewer details you provide, the more generic your answers will be.

The more information you provide will help someone to provide you with a relevant solution.

`~`

Attempt to do a repair install of .net 4 by going into programs and features, clicking on the .net 4 and walking through the wizard that allows you to repair it.

Then try the updates again.

`~`

The current time and date right now in Baja California, Mexico is 6:46 AM

UTC/GMT is 13:46 on Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Current Weather Conditions in San Felipe

Partly Cloudy86°F / 30°C

 

Robert,

 

Question for you - Is a 3rd party firewall being used in place of the native Windows firewall ?

Is this "software firewall" the Windows Firewall or a third-party firewall? If the latter, what is the name of this application ?

Do you have installed a 3rd-party firewall ?

If so, try turning OFF that firewall, and turn ON the Windows firewall instəad.

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current and if there has ever been any other anti-virus program installed. ?

If you have 3rd-party antivirus / security software, turn those OFF.

Has any third party cləanup utility or registry cləaner been run on your system?

Is System Mechanic installed?

The fewer details you provide, the more generic your answers will be.

The more information you provide will help someone to provide you with a relevant solution.

`~`

 

Attempt to do a repair install of .net 4 by going into programs and features, clicking on the .net 4 and walking through the wizard that allows you to repair it.

Then try the updates again.

`~`

 

 

 

 

 

The current time and date right now in Baja California, Mexico is 6:46 AM

Wednesday, August 21, 2013
DST -0700 UTC

 

UTC/GMT is 13:46 on Wednesday, August 21, 2013

            

Current Weather Conditions in San Felipe

Partly Cloudy86°F / 30°C

No third party firewall only Windows Firewall which has been disabled several times in attempt to install the updates. Virus program: Microsoft Security Essentials - shows nightly full scan and definitions up to date as of right now.

Have not ran any third party utility or registry cleaner since we had it.

System Mechanic (Microsoft) has been installed and will not help.

I will try the .net 4 as you suggested since I have not tried that yet. Will reply back when I have done that and retried afterwards to do windows updates.

Did the .net 4 repairs. Succeeded in doing 1 of the updates. But the others failed to work.

Code 656              Windows Update encountered an unknown error

Code 80070002    Windows Update encountered an unknown error

Code 641              Windows Update encountered an unknown error

Shows error code: 0x80070656 for the Microsoft Security Essentials update

The successful ones:

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - August 2013 (KB890830)

Download size: 20.4 MB

Also it did this one successfully last night at 3:03 AM on the automatic update but others failed then.

Definition Update for Microsoft Security Essentials - KB2310138 (Definition 1.157.135.0)

Installation date: ‎8/‎22/‎2013 3:03 AM

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Optional

It shows green that it installs them (1 of 8, 2 of 8, 8 of 8, etc.) but when it finishes, it shows them not installed.

Also when I review the updates that failed, the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 stays there in the needed updates even though it shows it successfully installed. Tried it again and it says it installed it again (everything else failed) but it still appears in Optional Updates and will not go away even though it is installed.