Windows 11 Feature Update intermittently fails with error 0x80240440 via Configuration Manager

Question

We are deploying Windows 11 Feature Updates using Configuration Manager.

Some devices fail Feature Update installation with error:

0x80240440

Other devices with the same deployment succeed.

Observations:

• Software Update scan succeeds on some devices and fails on others
• Content distribution and cache size are healthy
• Issue only affects Feature Updates (not monthly updates)

Is there Microsoft guidance on:

• Common causes of 0x80240440 during Feature Updates
• Recommended client configuration for Feature Updates via Configuration Manager

Answer 1

Hello P, Thomas Mathew,

Error 0x80240440 during Windows 11 Feature Update deployments via Configuration Manager is tied to the Windows Update agent failing to communicate correctly with the update service. Microsoft documentation and field experience show that this code is most often associated with misconfigured Windows Update client settings, specifically when the client is pointed to an invalid or unreachable WSUS endpoint, or when the update scan logic cannot reconcile Feature Update metadata with the servicing stack. That explains why monthly cumulative updates succeed but Feature Updates fail — the metadata and payload handling for Feature Updates is more complex and requires proper Windows Update for Business or WSUS integration.

The common causes include stale or corrupted Windows Update registry entries (HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\WUServer and WIStatusServer), mismatched servicing stack updates, or network filtering that blocks Feature Update payloads. Microsoft’s recommended client configuration for Feature Updates in Configuration Manager is to ensure that:

• The client is not hard‑coded to a WSUS server if you are using ConfigMgr with Windows Update for Business integration.
• The latest Servicing Stack Update (SSU) and cumulative update are installed before attempting the Feature Update.
• The Software Update scan source is consistent across all devices (either WSUS or Windows Update, but not a mix).
• The ConfigMgr client cache is large enough, but more importantly, the policy refresh cycle is aligned so that Feature Update metadata is fully synchronized.

In practice, the most reliable fix is to clear the Windows Update client configuration on affected machines (reg delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /f followed by wuauclt /resetauthorization /detectnow), then re‑apply the correct ConfigMgr policy. This forces the client to rescan against the intended update source and usually resolves 0x80240440.

I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer. Should you have more questions, feel free to leave a message. Have a nice day!

Domic Vo.