Have you seen this error message – “Sorry, unable to process request at this time – error 999”?
Though the message may sound cryptic, know that error 999 is a fairly common error and can mean different things depending on where you see it.
For example, you can see it while opening some applications, on a website while it is processing your information, when you try to connect to a printer, and more. In this article, let’s look at Error 999 on Windows, Yahoo!, and LinkedIn.
What Is Error 999?
Error 999 is generic. This is why you can find it across many operating systems and applications. This is essentially a “catch-all” error code that’s displayed when a specific error code for a problem is not available.
In Windows, the error 999 (0x3E7) indicates an “error performing in page operation”.
This error means that your System Restore isn’t working as it should. It can also mean that something in your PC is corrupted – can be your Windows installation, a file that you’re trying to access, and possibly even your hard drive.
A frustrating aspect of error 999 is that it impedes the normal functioning of applications, especially the installing and uninstalling functions. Since this error can stop you from accessing and using applications, fixing it becomes a top priority.
Let’s look at the possible causes of error 999 before moving on to the solutions.
Causes Of Error 999
The primary cause of error 999 is a corrupted file. But the hard part is knowing which file is corrupted, as it can be a system file, one related to an application, critical functions in your operating system, etc.
Sometimes, this error can also be due to leftover files and even registry values that were a part of an uninstalled application. This is the hardest to find because the program that these files are associated with no longer exists in your system.
Since the possible cause is so broad, there can be more than one solution to the problem. Also, what works for one situation may not work for the other, especially if the underlying cause of this error is different.
Let’s now look at some possible solutions.
Fixes For Error 999
Below are some fixes for Error 999. Please note that these fixes apply only to the “Sorry, unable to process request at this time – error 999” received on your Windows system. Also, as mentioned earlier, the cause can be widespread, so you may have to run through each solution until you find the fix.
Use A Windows Recovery Tool
A Windows recovery tool is a good choice for fixing Windows OS issues, especially the difficult ones like the error 999. These tools scan all your files and registry values extensively and can generate a report for you.
Read through the report to know which files must be deleted from your system.
There are both paid and free Windows recovery tools. Some built-in options like the Check Disk Utility come free with Windows, but they provide only limited help with file corruption. So, depending on your level of corruption, you can choose a free or paid tool.
Some recovery tools may even do an automatic System Restore to a previous stable version that didn’t have these corrupted files or entries. It depends on the tool you choose.
Most times, this advanced functionality is available only in the paid versions of a tool.
Do A System Restore
If you can determine the specific date/period when this error started, consider doing a system restore to a point before this date. However, before you do a restore, make sure you have a copy of all the important data stored after the previous restore point.
Reset or Reinstall Windows
If none of the above options work, consider reinstalling your Windows. Here too, do a backup to avoid any data loss.
The easiest way to do this reset in Windows 10 is:
- Press Windows + I and head to Update & Security
- Look for an option called “Recovery” on the left-hand pane.
- On the right-hand side, you’ll see a section called “Reset this PC”. Click the “Get Started” button.
- On the next page, choose between “Keep my Files” and “Remove Everything”. The first option will keep your personal files and will only reinstall Windows. This is recommended, especially if the problem is associated with the OS or any registry value.
- Note that if the issue continues even after the reset, follow the same steps and choose “Remove Everything.”
Replace The Hard Drive
Another option is to replace the hard drive. Go for this solution if you’ve tried all the above, but couldn’t resolve the issue. In such a case, it could be a leftover file from an uninstalled application.
We hope one of these solutions resolves the problem for you. Next, let’s look at what these errors mean on Yahoo! And LinkedIn.
What Does Error 999 Mean On Yahoo?
Yahoo has put some bandwidth limits on its servers, and when you exceed the allotted bandwidth, you get the “sorry, unable to process request at this time — error 999”. This limit is put by Yahoo to prevent Denial of Service (DoS) errors and to avoid bots from consuming all its resources.
Many users have reported that they face this error while trying to access Yahoo! Mail or Groups, but it’s always possible to get this error while accessing other services too.
While you can’t fix this error, you can circumvent it using proxies as they send your requests from different IP addresses.
What Is Status Code 999 On Linkedin?
Like Yahoo, LinkedIn also limits access to its content, and this is why you get the status code 999. LinkedIn does this to prevent unauthorized copying of its content and prevent abuse of requests.
A good workaround for this error is to use the LinkedIn APIs in your code, so you access its content through these APIs. To explain a bit, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are small pieces of code that allow other applications to “talk” to LinkedIn and access its data.
