Windows update error, 0x8024 4042, Update Troubleshooter will not work

Question

The Windows Update Service fails with 0x8024 4042 or ox8000 4002. I ran the Update Troubleshooter and it failed to run

Answer 1

Hello, I’m Virginia a fellow Windows user.

Have you tried resetting the update components?

Open cmd prompt/Powershell/Terminal with admin & enter:

Net Stop bits

Net Stop wuauserv

Net Stop appidsvc

Net Stop cryptsvc

Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DataStore.bak

Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download Download.bak

Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"

Net Start bits

Net Start wuauserv

Net Start appidsvc

Net Start cryptsvc

Restart the PC & try updating again.

And/or:

Search for services.msc & find Windows Update & ensure it is set to Automatic.

Answer 2

Error codes 0x80244042 and 0x80004002 indicate Windows Update is failing before it can download/install updates, and the Update Troubleshooter also cannot run. Use the general Windows Update troubleshooting steps for Windows 11 and the error-code guidance from the documentation.

Follow these steps in order:

1. Back up important files

• Before deeper repair, back up personal files (Documents, Pictures, Desktop, etc.) to an external drive or OneDrive as recommended in the general troubleshooting guidance.

2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter from Settings (Windows 11) Even if it failed once, run it again from the correct location:
3. Select Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
4. Under Most frequent, select Windows Update > Run.
5. Let it complete and apply any fixes it suggests.
6. Restart the device.
7. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and try again.
8. Use the Get Help Windows Update troubleshooter If the built-in troubleshooter still fails or does not fix the issue:

• Run the automated Windows Update troubleshooter in the Get Help app using the "Run the troubleshooter in Get Help" entry under Run the Windows Update troubleshooter. It will run diagnostics and attempt to fix most update problems.

4. Check common causes and services If updates still fail:

• Verify Windows Update service is enabled and running (especially relevant if seeing errors like 0x80070422 or 0x80070020 in similar scenarios):
  1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
  2. Locate Windows Update.
  3. Ensure Startup type is Automatic and the service is Running. If stopped, select Start.
• Restart the PC and check for updates again from Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.

5. Clear the Windows Update cache (if symptoms match cache corruption) If error behavior resembles cache corruption (similar to 0x8007000d / 0x800705b4 scenarios):
6. Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
7. Right-click Windows Update and select Stop.
8. Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
9. Delete all files and folders inside this directory.
10. In Services, right-click Windows Update and select Start.
11. Restart the PC and run Check for updates again.
12. Run System File Checker if corruption is suspected For errors related to corrupted or missing system files (similar to 0x800F081F / 0x80073712 / 0x80246007 cases):
13. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
14. Run: sfc /scannow and let it complete.
15. Restart the PC.
16. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter again, then Check for updates.
17. If still failing If none of the above resolves the issue and the troubleshooter continues to fail, follow the broader guidance under Troubleshoot problems updating Windows for additional steps and specific error-code flows, including clean boot, driver checks, and further repair options.

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References:

• Windows Update Troubleshooter
• Troubleshoot problems updating Windows