Win 7 Windows Update 80246002 Unable to run updates

Anonymous
2014-08-27T22:00:30+00:00

As suggested by Microsoft, the failed security update MS14-045 requires actions to be take. You recommend manual uninstall of KB 2982791. This I did. The system reboots. I then went to try and use Windows Update so that it finds and installs the replacement, KB 2993651.

Windows Update is now corrupted. It issues error code 80246002. All attempts to run the Troubleshooter to fix it, says it is unable to automatically resolved the problem. It has entries with a red X in the list. When you ask for the detailed report, though, it shows no problems against any of the entries.

 now; the first time I ran it, it showed an Error 1 accessing Windows\SoftwareDistribution, access denied.

It's unconscionable that MS should generate even more severe errors when trying to back out from an existing error from a failed update. And simply deleting one KB, now renders the entire Windows Update process unusable.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-08-31T22:56:42+00:00

    Wake up, Microsoft, you screwed up BIG time!

    Same deal with me too. I did a fresh install of Windows 7 Home Premium on a machine I'm supposed to be fixing. After the first round of updates, I can no longer even check for updates, getting error 80246002 every time. I did a complete second reinstall with a different disc, installed the same bunch of updates, and got the same result.

    Running down the list of possible causes and solutions here and elsewhere:

    Troubleshooter? I ran it and it let me do a second batch of updates. Then on the next boot I'm back to error 80246002 and the troubleshooter doesn't fix it anymore.

    Fixit? I ran it and got no effect at all.

    DNS or other ISP issues? I'm on Comcast in Boston. I tried changing my DNS servers, and even connecting to my phone's wifi tethering, and get the exact same error every time.

    3rd party software or antivirus? I haven't installed any yet. Everything present on this machine came out of the Windows install disc or Windows Update.

    Install updates manually? I can't even successfully check for updates. I suppose I could make a spreadsheet of all KB numbers I've installed and check the Windows Update Catalog site periodically. But that's WAY too much work, and this is a client's computer.

    Wait for MS to fix it and push out a fix? Again, if it won't even *check* for updates, it's never going to get the fix.

    EDIT: I hadn't tried stopping wuauserv and clearing out C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download because it's supposed to be one of the things the troubleshooter does. I don't know what went wrong with the troubleshooter, but doing this manually fixed the problem.

    The solution is then:

    1. Open an Administrator Command Prompt (Start, type in cmd, right-click, run as administrator)
    2. net stop wuauserv
    3. del /s /q %SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download\*.*
    4. net start wuauserv
    5. Retry Windows Update

    Given that 80246002 means there is an invalid file hash, and that clearing out downloaded updates fixes the issue, this raises a major question: Why can't it automatically delete and re-download a file if its hash indicates that it's corrupted?

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-31T21:57:10+00:00

    I have 2 PCs running Win7 SP1 and 2 PCs running Win 8.1 with Update. Yesterday both Win7 PCs failed to update (with the 80246002 error). This morning, I tried again. The first Win7 PC failed again so I changed the local DNS setting to 8.8.8.8 and rebooted. WU worked OK I changed the DNS back to automatic and rebooted - WU still worked OK. On the second Win7 PC, I changed nothing and ran WU - it worked OK.

    I then ran WU on both Win8.1 PCs with no problems. My router is set to provide OpenDNS settings (208.67.222.222 & 208.67.220.220) so even OpenDNS wouldn't work on the first Win7 PC I tried. I suspect the problem is more complicated than people are suggesting.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-08-31T21:47:18+00:00

    I can confirm that un-installing and re-installing KB2760601 (Sharepoint) resolved my issue.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-31T21:22:26+00:00

    August 31, 2014  5:22 PM

    I am totally confused and frustrated with the answers provided for the following. Please advise.

    Re: Windows Update Support. I have tried the following without success. Please advise.

    Windows update failed including 24 updates – 232 MB.

    The computer freezes up.

    System restore doesn’t work.

    I installed the following: Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 on Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 x86 (KB2656362)

    Download size: 3.7 MB

    You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

    Update type: Important 1/10/2012 Security Update for Windows Vista (KB2644615)

    Download size: 499 KB I WASN’T ABLE TO LOCATE THAT UPDATE.

    You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

    Update type: Important

    Earle Rheaume

    I am using 2Acer  computers.

    Desk Top - Windows 8

    Lap Top - Windows 7

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-08-31T21:04:51+00:00

        Probably got lots of calls from customers and quickly recognized where the problem had to be.

    Possibly??? Mike,

    I was doing allot of WU checks all through the time period in question and never had the problem once. OpenDNS and probably Google were updated virtually immediately...... :D

    Crysta

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