FIX: Windows 10 Insider Preview 14986 Error 0x80240031

The latest Windows 10 insider preview update is known to cause issue while downloading. It gives the error code 0x80240031 and prevents users from downloading the update.

Reasons of this issue

The error 0x80240031 occurs mostly because of a corrupted Windows file or registry file or some other problem of system files. The problem with Windows files prevents the installation of the update.

Method 1: Windows Troubleshooter

Go here and download the windows troubleshooter for your Windows version. Once it is downloaded, run the file and wait for it to troubleshoot the problem. Once it is finished, try the update again.

Method 2: Disabling Windows Update

1. Hold Windows key and press R.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter
3. Locate Windows Update and double click it
4. Select Disabled from the Start Type drop down menu
5. Restart your computer
6. Hold Windows key and press X.
7. Select File Explorer
8. Type C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution in the address bar located on the top middle of the file explorer
9. Hold CTRL and press A. Right click on the selected files and select delete.
10. Repeat steps 1-3
11. Select Manual from the Start Type drop down menu
12. Click Start then press ok.

Now check for the updates and it should work fine. If there’s still a problem in downloading the update then try these steps

1. Press your Windows Key once and type disk cleanup and select the disk cleanup from the search result
2. Select C drive and click Ok and wait for the calculation to complete
3. Select Clean up System Files
4. Select C drive and click Ok
5. Click Ok and wait for it to finish
6. Hold Windows key and press X.
7. Select File Explorer
8. Type C:\Windows10Upgrade in the address bar located in the top middle and delete this folder
9. Repeat method 1
10. Repeat steps from 1-12 of method 2

Now check the Windows Update again and it should work.

Method 3: Turn off updates from more than one place

1. Press Windows Key once and select Settings
2. Click Update & Security
3. Click Windows Update and select Advanced Options
4. Click Choose how updates are delivered
5. Turn off Updates from more than one place
6. Repeat method 1

Now try the Windows Update. If it doesn’t work go here, download the file and run it. Once it is finished try to Windows update again.