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
    2014-08-28T16:08:12+00:00

    Change your DNS servers to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 and it will fix the problem. A reboot may be needed.

    I must say the support here is totally useless. Microsoft knows this issue and knows the temporary fix as well.

    Worked! Thanks for your help. Had tried several other "fixes" but none of them worked. I assume MS will address the DNS issue in one of their future updates, but how are they going to install the fix if most people can't get their update working?

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-28T15:58:06+00:00

    Change your DNS servers to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 and it will fix the problem. A reboot may be needed.

    I must say the support here is totally useless. Microsoft knows this issue and knows the temporary fix as well.

    How/why would using Google's DNS servers resolve this problem?  That doesn't seem to make sense?

    My issue is I have a firewall that blocks DNS requests that go out to the internet (anything that isn't using the firewall for DNS gets blocked; the firewall uses OpenDNS). After allowing the machine to make DNS out to the internet and setting Google DNS servers, it works.

    Perhaps the machine cannot resolve the addresses it needs to verify content on the machine? Just a thought.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-08-28T15:49:48+00:00

    Change your DNS servers to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 and it will fix the problem. A reboot may be needed.

    I must say the support here is totally useless. Microsoft knows this issue and knows the temporary fix as well.

    Though I was initially skeptical, this did actually fix the problem for me as well.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-28T15:49:08+00:00

    You are right it fixed the problem thank you so much!

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-08-28T14:36:02+00:00

    Same issue for me as well.

    Windows Update

    Windows could not search for new updates

    Error code: 80246002

    Error message when first checking for updates, not when trying to apply an update.

    All updates successful in update history. No failed updates. 

    Here's what I've tried:

    -- Rename the Windows Update download folder

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958056

    -- Stop and restart  the windows update service via services.msc

    (can't remember where I found this)

    -- Ran "Fix Microsoft Windows Update Issues" as found here:

    http://support.microsoft.com/gp/windows-update-issues/en-us

    file ran: WindowsUpdateDiagnostic.diagcab

    In the CheckSURLog.cab output.txt I find the following line that might mean something (but might just be echoing the same error):

    Last Displayed Message :2014-08-28 09:58:51:228 728 9fc AU  # WARNING: Search callback failed, result = 0x80246002

    -- Ran FixIt found here:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/troubleshoot-problems-installing-updates#1TC=windows-7

    File ran: MicrosoftFixit50123.msi

    -- Tried turning Windows Firewall AND Security Essentials off to see if they were somehow blocking.

    (no effect)

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