Problem checking for updates - Code 80240442 - Windows Update ran into a problem

Anonymous
2014-04-08T19:18:08+00:00

Just updated to 8.1 update 1 manually hoping that it would clear an issue I'm having with Windows update, but to no avail.  (Oh - and the error message before the Win8.1 Update 1 was 80244FFF.  I think it's the same issue, just a new number.)

I've not been able to connect to Windows Update for over a month, and nothing I've tried has managed to reset it. 

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2014-08-13T22:37:43+00:00

bizarre, my update is working after months of failure. i am not joking. BUT only automatically. if i try to check for updates manually i receive the same error code and no updates

AND i believe i have the solution for all of these problems...

i needed to restart my modem. as soon as it had restarted, automatic updates worked. i think all who are suffering from this problem should at least give this a try. just unplug your modem, wait 30 seconds then re-plug in your modem or push the restart button. it is worth a try. 

paz from mexico

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-06-04T11:50:43+00:00

    Hello Paz,

    Thank you for your response.

    I would suggest you to try following steps and check if it helps.

    a. Press Windows + X keys and select command prompt(admin).

    b. In command prompt window, copy and paste the commands (all at once):

      net stop wuauserv

      net stop cryptSvc

      net stop bits

      net stop msiserver

      ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

      ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

      net start wuauserv

      net start cryptSvc

      net start bits

      net start msiserver

      pause

    c. Wait for the process to complete.

    d. Close the command prompt window.

    Now, go to Windows update and check.

    I hope this information helps.

    Thank you

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-06-04T00:24:20+00:00

    same problem. i have win8.1 and the service, update, just stopped working. i have tried dozen of suggestions. not one has worked. anyone out there with new ideas?

    paz

    mexico

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-05-30T14:36:31+00:00

    Sorry to hear that. Prior to this being fixed I was using http://www.wsusoffline.net/ to get my update. That could be a temporary solution for you.

    It's not advisable to download Windows files from third party sites. You risk installing malware which can piggyback on to the installation.

    As can be seen from the WHOIS record, wsusoffline.net is in no way affliiated with Microsoft: http://whois.domaintools.com/wsusoffline.net

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-05-29T23:56:34+00:00

    No luck for me. Still getting the dreaded 80240442 error (formerly 80244FFF). Glad it's working for you though.

    Also, Microsoft's store apps are still broken for one of the user accounts.

    Extremely annoying. Haven't had time (and shouldn't need to make time) for more drastic measures.

    Sorry to hear that. Prior to this being fixed I was using http://www.wsusoffline.net/ to get my update. That could be a temporary solution for you.

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