Windows Update Error (80244FFF)

Anonymous
2013-11-13T00:47:27+00:00

I've been having an issue updating my copy of Windows 8.1.  I went into Windows Update and noticed that it hadn't checked for updates since November 1st.  Every time I run Windows Update, either on the desktop or tiled interface, it gives a 80244FFF error.  It is able to download and install Windows Defender definition updates.  I've tried turning off Windows Defender and firewall, plugging my PC directly into the cable modem, trying Safe Mode (Which doesn't allow Windows Update to run), scanning all my drives for errors, and disconnecting all my hard drives except the boot drive but nothing has worked.  I don't want to "Refresh" my copy of Windows 8.1 given that I have many desktop applications and don't want to reinstall manually.

I did find a workaround, of sorts, using WSUS Offline, but I'm wanting the normal Windows Update process to work as intended.  Below is my log from the Windows directory showing what has been happening.  I'm surprised that there are no Action Center items saying Windows Update isn't working.  Is there a way to get Windows Update running as it should?

2013-11-12    19:33:46:852    1032    558    Misc    Validating signature for C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\SelfUpdate\wuident.cab:

2013-11-12    19:33:46:859    1032    558    Misc     Microsoft signed: Yes

2013-11-12    19:33:46:859    1032    558    Misc     Infrastructure signed: Yes

2013-11-12    19:33:46:864    1032    558    Misc    Validating signature for C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\SelfUpdate\TMP606C.tmp:

2013-11-12    19:33:46:870    1032    558    Misc     Microsoft signed: Yes

2013-11-12    19:33:46:870    1032    558    Misc     Infrastructure signed: Yes

2013-11-12    19:33:46:872    1032    558    Setup    Skipping SelfUpdate check based on the /SKIP directive in wuident

2013-11-12    19:33:46:872    1032    558    Setup    SelfUpdate check completed.  SelfUpdate is NOT required.

2013-11-12    19:33:57:001    1032    558    PT    +++++++++++  PT: Synchronizing server updates  +++++++++++

2013-11-12    19:33:57:001    1032    558    PT      + ServiceId = {7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D}, Server URL = https://fe2.update.microsoft.com/v6/ClientWebService/client.asmx

2013-11-12    19:33:57:007    1032    558    Agent    Reading cached app categories using lifetime 604800 seconds

2013-11-12    19:33:57:007    1032    558    Agent    Read 1 cached app categories

2013-11-12    19:34:02:967    1032    558    WS    WARNING: Nws Failure: errorCode=0x803d0014

2013-11-12    19:34:02:967    1032    558    WS    WARNING: Original error code: 0x80072efe

2013-11-12    19:34:02:967    1032    558    WS    WARNING: There was an error communicating with the endpoint at 'https://fe2.update.microsoft.com/v6/ClientWebService/client.asmx'.

2013-11-12    19:34:02:967    1032    558    WS    WARNING: There was an error receiving the HTTP reply.

2013-11-12    19:34:02:967    1032    558    WS    WARNING: The connection with the remote endpoint was terminated.

2013-11-12    19:34:02:967    1032    558    WS    WARNING: The connection with the server was terminated abnormally

2013-11-12    19:34:02:967    1032    558    WS    WARNING: Web service call failed with hr = 80240440.

2013-11-12    19:34:02:967    1032    558    WS    WARNING: Current service auth scheme='None'.

2013-11-12    19:34:02:967    1032    558    WS    WARNING: Proxy List used: '(null)', Bypass List used: '(null)', Last Proxy used: '(null)', Last auth Schemes used: 'None'.

2013-11-12    19:34:02:967    1032    558    WS    FATAL: OnCallFailure(hrCall, m_error) failed with hr=0x80240440

2013-11-12    19:34:02:972    1032    558    PT    WARNING: PTError: 0x80240440

2013-11-12    19:34:02:972    1032    558    PT    WARNING: SyncUpdates_WithRecovery failed.: 0x80240440

2013-11-12    19:34:02:972    1032    558    PT    WARNING: Sync of Drivers failed (Software succeeded): 0x80240440

2013-11-12    19:34:08:878    1032    558    PT    +++++++++++  PT: Synchronizing extended update info  +++++++++++

2013-11-12    19:34:08:878    1032    558    PT      + ServiceId = {7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D}, Server URL = https://fe2.update.microsoft.com/v6/ClientWebService/client.asmx

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    WS    WARNING: Nws Failure: errorCode=0x803d0001

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    WS    WARNING: Original error code: 0x80072efe

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    WS    WARNING: The operation could not be completed because the channel is in a faulted state.

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    WS    WARNING: There was an error communicating with the endpoint at 'https://fe2.update.microsoft.com/v6/ClientWebService/client.asmx'.

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    WS    WARNING: There was an error receiving the HTTP reply.

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    WS    WARNING: The connection with the remote endpoint was terminated.

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    WS    WARNING: The connection with the server was terminated abnormally

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    WS    WARNING: Web service call failed with hr = 80244fff.

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    WS    WARNING: Current service auth scheme='None'.

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    WS    WARNING: Proxy List used: '(null)', Bypass List used: '(null)', Last Proxy used: '(null)', Last auth Schemes used: 'None'.

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    WS    FATAL: OnCallFailure(hrCall, m_error) failed with hr=0x80244fff

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    PT    WARNING: PTError: 0x80244fff

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    PT    WARNING: GetExtendedUpdateInfo_WithRecovery: 0x80244fff

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    PT    WARNING: Sync of Extended Info: 0x80244fff

2013-11-12    19:34:08:883    1032    558    PT    WARNING: SyncExtendedUpdateInfoInternal failed : 0x80244fff

2013-11-12    19:34:08:886    1032    558    Agent      * WARNING: Exit code = 0x80244FFF

2013-11-12    19:34:08:886    1032    558    Agent    *********

2013-11-12    19:34:08:886    1032    558    Agent    **  END  **  Agent: Finding updates [CallerId = AutomaticUpdatesWuApp  Id = 1]

2013-11-12    19:34:08:886    1032    558    Agent    *************

2013-11-12    19:34:08:886    1032    558    Agent    WARNING: WU client failed Searching for update with error 0x80244fff

2013-11-12    19:34:08:887    1032    558    IdleTmr    WU operation (CSearchCall::Init ID 1, operation # 13) stopped; does use network; is not at background priority

2013-11-12    19:34:08:887    1032    558    IdleTmr    Decremented PDC RefCount for Network to 0

2013-11-12    19:34:08:887    1032    558    IdleTmr    Decremented idle timer priority operation counter to 1

2013-11-12    19:34:08:887    1032    a30    AU    >>##  RESUMED  ## AU: Search for updates [CallId = {768D461F-C399-446D-808C-97FBBA11CFE1} ServiceId = {7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D}]

2013-11-12    19:34:08:887    1032    a30    AU      # WARNING: Search callback failed, result = 0x80244FFF

2013-11-12    19:34:08:887    1032    a30    AU    #########

2013-11-12    19:34:08:887    1032    a30    AU    ##  END  ##  AU: Search for updates  [CallId = {768D461F-C399-446D-808C-97FBBA11CFE1} ServiceId = {7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D}]

2013-11-12    19:34:08:888    1032    a30    AU    #############

2013-11-12    19:34:08:888    1032    a30    AU    All AU searches complete.

2013-11-12    19:34:08:888    1032    a30    AU      # WARNING: Failed to find updates with error code 80244fff

2013-11-12    19:34:08:888    1032    a30    AU    AU was unable to detect updates for more than 48 hours

2013-11-12    19:34:08:888    1032    a30    AU    AU setting next detection timeout to 2013-11-13 05:34:08

2013-11-12    19:34:08:889    1032    a30    AU      # Publishing WNF Per user update count event Count: 0 SID {S-1-5-21-1016054517-69094927-1167762118-1000} Service {7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D}

2013-11-12    19:34:08:889    1032    a30    AU      # Publishing WNF Per user update count event Count: 0 SID {S-1-5-21-1016054517-69094927-1167762118-1000} Service {117CAB2D-82B1-4B5A-A08C-4D62DBEE7782}

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-11-14T12:28:45+00:00

    The only external devices I have are my printer, mouse, keyboard, and monitor, three of which must be connected for me to use the PC and frankly I don't see how my printer can cause this issue since after upgrading to Windows 8.1 everything worked with the exact same hardware configuration for several weeks.  I actually keep the printer turned off most of the time and the Windows Update error happens regardless.

    I also checked other hardware, my hard drives check out, graphics cards are fine (Well, everyone knows how flaky the drivers for these can be!), RAM is also good after an overnight test, and none of my games are experiencing any odd behavior.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-14T12:08:19+00:00

    This is starting to smell like a hardware issue. The best way to troubleshoot is disconnect everything external and then do a clean boot with minimal drivers. If Windows Update works under those conditions, do a normal boot with all external devices disconnected. If Windows Update does not work, this narrows down the driver possibilities.

    Once you are able to normal boot, then you can start adding individual devices until you find a problem.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-14T11:25:18+00:00

    It is possible to download updates using a program called WSUS Offline.  This program allows you to manually update without needing to download update files individually.  It essentially looks at your installed updates, determines what you need, downloads them directly from Microsoft, and lets you run another program to install all of the updates.  Below is what I got from another user who had the exact same error happen:

    "Go and download WSUS Offline (just search for it, it's quite safe). Save it and extract it somewhere safe. A USB drive is ideal. it should extract to a folder called WSUSOFFLINE.

    Run the executable (updategenerator), select your version of Windows 8 and anything else you want to update, and hit "Start". It will open a Shell, and download ALL the updates for your selection from the MS servers. Leave it alone. This will take hours on a slow connection.

    Once it is done, find it again and in the "client" folder is an another executable (UpdateInstaller). Run that, and it will force all the updates onto your machine. Reboot when asked.

    The error will persist, but if you now look at "installed updates" you'll see they are there, even if the auto-updater says they are not."

    NOTE:  The installed updates list is in the same area of Windows where you can uninstall programs, there should be an option to view the installed updates there.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-14T02:37:05+00:00

    I don't think they have admitted that there is a problem yet, so I'm not sure if we are getting a fix.... :(

    Most or possibly all the uploads are in the download center on Microsoft's site, but I don't know a good way of knowing what to install without windows update working..

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-11-14T01:54:45+00:00

    I've just experienced this issue in the last couple of days (Windows 8.1 notified me it hadn't been able to update for the last 30 days). Same errors as reported above (80244FFF) and log looks the same.

    Tried a refresh, still had the issue

    Tried a fresh install (formatted drive), still the same issue.

    The PC does have some other drives, and the system drive is a 128GB SSD. I could try disconnecting the other drives just to rule that out as any issue (but not sure why this would affect it's ability to retrieve updates).

    Other windows 8 PCs (and a Windows 8.1 Surface) are retrieving updates on the same network just fine.

    Not sure what to try next, or just wait and see if Microsoft can deliver a fix.

    Can we download the current updates as a single installer somewhere?

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