Troubleshooting Windows Update in Windows 10/11

Sometimes, you may encounter errors such as 0x80244007, 0x8024a105 or other errors when installing updates via the Windows Update channel. Here are some sample error messages:

Note: Especially for error 0x8024a105, restart Windows and attempt to install updates. Also, try a different internet service provider just in case if this is a DNS issue or a problem reaching out Microsoft Update’s CDN in your region.

Here are some other error messages that may occur when attempting to install updates.

This article has the troubleshooting steps required to fix most of the Windows Update errors in Windows 10 and 11.

1) Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Run Windows Update troubleshooter and let it automatically fix the problems. The troubleshooter checks for various problems and attempts to fix them automatically.

The troubleshooter automatically registers the following core system DLLs:

atl.dll, urlmon.dll, mshtml.dll, shdocvw.dll, browseui.dll, jscript.dll, vbscript.dll, scrrun.dll, msxml.dll, msxml3.dll, msxml6.dll, actxprxy.dll, softpub.dll, wintrust.dll, dssenh.dll, rsaenh.dll, gpkcsp.dll, sccbase.dll, slbcsp.dll, cryptdlg.dll, oleaut32.dll, ole32.dll, shell32.dll, initpki.dll, wuapi.dll, wuaueng.dll, wuaueng1.dll, wucltui.dll, wups.dll, wups2.dll, wuweb.dll, qmgr.dll, qmgrprxy.dll, wucltux.dll, muweb.dll, wuwebv.dll

2) Check your Services configuration

Launch the Services MMC (services.msc) and make sure that the following services are configured correctly:

• Update Orchestrator Service  – Automatic (Delayed Start)
• Windows Modules Installer  – Manual
• Windows Update  – Manual (Trigger Start) Local System
• Windows Update Medic Service  – Manual

Also, make sure that each of the above services is able to start. Click on the Start button in the service’s properties to see if they can start correctly.

For example, to check if the Windows Modules Installer (TrustedInstaller) service is started and running, do this:

1. Right-click Start and click on Computer Management
2. Expand Services and Applications, and then select Services
3. Locate Windows Modules Installer in the list. Right-click on it and select Properties, and select the General tab.
4. Set the Start type to Manual
5. Click Apply and click OK.
6. Click the Start button to check that the service can be started.

Restart Windows and try installing updates now.

References:

• Windows 11 Default Services Configuration
• Windows 10 Default Services Configuration

3) Rename the SoftwareDistribution & Catroot2 folders

The SoftwareDistribution folder is a temporary storage location for updates. Sometimes, renaming the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders works. To do so, use the following steps:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt window.
2. Type the following commands one by one and press ENTER after each line:

   net stop bits
   net stop wuauserv
   net stop appidsvc
   net stop cryptsvc

   This stops Windows Update, Application Identity, and Cryptographic Services temporarily.

3. Then, type the following commands:

   ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak
   ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
   net start bits
   net start wuauserv
   net start appidsvc
   net start cryptsvc

4. Restart Windows, and see if you can install Windows Updates now.

4) Disable IPv6 temporarily (fix for error 0x80070422)

This fix is especially for error 0x80070422.

1. Right-click Start, click Run
2. Type ncpa.cpl and press ENTER
3. Right-click on your internet connection and then select Properties.
4. In the list of items, uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
5. Click OK and restart the computer.

After installing the update(s), re-enable IPv6.

5) Repair Windows Update by running DISM or System Update Readiness tool

If none of the above steps help, then repair the system components using DISM (for Windows 10 & 8), or System Update Readiness Tool (Checksur) for Windows 7 & Windows Vista.

For more information, see Microsoft article Fix Windows Update errors by using the DISM or System Update Readiness tool.

Workaround: Download Standalone Update from MU Catalog and Install it

If the error occurs only for a particular update, you can download the standalone version of the update (.msu or .cab) directly from Microsoft Update Catalog and install it rather than installing it from the regular Windows Update channel.

I hope one of the above fixes helps you resolve Windows Update errors.