Error 8024402F is a windows update error. Usually, it is not noticeable and most of the users notice it when they try to install or run windows updates manually.
You must know that in production environments windows updates should always be turned off, for home and personal use, they are fine but not if you have important data without any back up.
Techs like us prefer keeping the updates off unless we test them on a staging systems, if all goes well then we do the update. The reason why i am writing this is to make you aware that updates are not always successful and do not always go with the flow.
The update error 8024402F is quite common among the Windows users. This error prevents you from updating your Windows and can happen on Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10.
Method 1: Check Update Logs
In order to fix this issue; we need to check the update logs file. And in order to open the logs file, the easiest way is to press and hold the CTRL key and Press R (this work’s on almost all versions of Windows including Windows 10)
In the run dialog, type windowsupdate.log and Click OK
After you click OK; a note pad file will open. The first column/field represents the date; scroll down to the bottom so we can see the latest entries in the log file. Every time, you run windows update, a record/entry is added into the log file.
see the sample log below; and locate the line in bold in your logs of windowsupdate
WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efe.
WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr = 80072efe. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes used : <>
WARNING: WinHttp: SendRequestUsingProxy failed for <http://download.windowsupdate.com/msdownload/update/common/2009/06/2803268_2cf7737e73bd31ae709b14a95c8d2ecb7eccfbf3.cab>. error 0x80072efe
WARNING: WinHttp: SendRequestToServerForFileInformation MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efe
WARNING: WinHttp: SendRequestToServerForFileInformation failed with 0x80072efe
WARNING: WinHttp: ShouldFileBeDownloaded failed with 0x80072efe
Notice the URL/Link above, which i copied as
2803268_2cf7737e73bd31ae709b14a95c8d2ecb7eccfbf3.cab>. error 0x80072efe
And it indicates, that the update has failed. Now we’re going to begin troubleshooting this. A General idea here is that your firewall, router, anti virus or a malware on your PC could be blocking this file from being downloaded.
To test, copy/paste your url of the update in your browser and attempt to download, and see if it works?
If it does, you can install the update manually by opening command prompt in administrator mode.
a) Click Start
b) Type CMD
c) Right click CMD and select Run As Administrator
In the black command prompt, execute the following command:
dism /online /add-package /packagepath:C:\update\myupdate.cab
where c:\update\myupdate.cab is the location of your file, if it was downloaded in the downloads folder, then this should be C:\Users\Username\Downloads\updatefile.cab
When you execute the above command in command prompt, the update will be installed. You can then re-run windows updates.
If it doesn’t works, do these general checks then try the following:
a) Turn off anti-virus
b) Turn off firewall
c) Disable router firewall, make sure no activex filters are setup.
d) Make sure you can access internet (if not); check router, modem and DNS Settings. I have another article on setting up public dns servers, which you can search on google by typing dns_probe_finished_nxdomain appuals
e) Reset Internet Explorer (Win Key + R -> type inetcpl.cpl -> Advanced Tab -> Reset -> Delete Personal Settings)
f) Try a different web browser.
If it still doesn’t works; then
- Click Start–> and type Services.msc
- Locate and Stop the “Background Intelligent Transfer” and “Windows Update” services.
- Then Click Start and open CMD as Administrator.
- Type rd %systemroot%\softwaredistribution /s
Method 2: Update time settings
- Hold Windows key and press X then select Control Panel on Windows 10, 8 and 8.1. For Windows 7, Click Start then select Control Panel.
- Click Clock, Language and Region > Click Set the time and date > Select Internet Time tab > Click Change settings > Click Update Now > Click ok > Click apply then select ok
Now try to update your Windows.
Method 3: Changing Windows update settings
For Windows 8 and 8.1
- Move your mouse to the right bottom corner of your Desktop screen then move your mouse upwards. Click Settings from the newly appeared options.
- Click Change PC Settings > Click Update and Recovery > Click Choose how updates get installed
- Uncheck Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates and check Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows. You can check/uncheck an option by clicking it once.
For Windows 7
- Click Start then type Windows Update in the Start Search Click Windows Update from the program list
- Click Change Settings
- Uncheck Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates and check Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows. You can check/uncheck an option by clicking it once.
If there is no Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows option then simply uncheck the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates option.
Method 4: Disabling Windows Firewall and third party applications
If you have any antivirus or any other internet related application for boosting the internet speed then shut down or disable those applications.
- Hold Windows key and press X then select Control Panel on Windows 10, 8 and 8.1. For Windows 7, Click Start then select Control Panel.
- Select System and Security > Click Windows Firewall > Click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
- Select Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended) option in both Private Network Settings and Public Network Settings section and click ok.
Method 5: Checking Windows Update Services
- Hold Windows key and press R.
- Type msc and press Enter
- Locate Windows Update and double click it
- Select General Tab and select Automatic from the drop down list of Startup Type
- Click Start button in Service Status section
- Repeat the same method for Background Intelligent Transfer Service in Services Window
Method 6: Renaming SoftwareDistribution folder
- Hold Windows key and press X then select Command Prompt (Admin) in Windows 10, 8. For Windows 7, Click Start then type cmd in the Start Search box and press CTRL, SHIFT and ENTER simultaneously (Ctrl + Shift + Enter).
- Type net stop WuAuServ and press Enter. Wait until it says successfully stopped but do not close the command prompt window.
- Hold Windows key and press R. Type %windir% then press Enter in Windows 10, 8. For Windows 7, Click Start then type %windir% in the Start Search box and press Enter
- Locate SoftwareDistribution Right click the folder and select Rename then type SoftwareDistribution.old press Enter
- Type net start WuAuServ and press Enter in the command prompt window. Wait until it says successfully started.
Method 7: Resetting Windows Update Components
https://support.microsoft.com/en-USen-USkb/971058 Go to this link and download Windows Update Troubleshooter for your Windows version. After the download is complete, run the downloaded file and click next.
