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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

4 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

129 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-07-02T13:48:52+00:00

    Please don't refer me to Asus. They only refer me to Microsoft.

    I went ahead and checked BIOS, and I am up to date. They haven't released a BIOS update in over a year.

    It would be great if there was a way to selectively reinstall the key files and portion of the registry that is relevant. I'm not a software engineer but it seems like this is an issue of file corruption given that some people are finding some solutions to work but not others.

    No my computer is not connected to a domain network.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-07-02T23:48:56+00:00

    see below...

    Microsoft Windows [Version 6.3.9600]

    (c) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

    C:\WINDOWS\system32>takeown /f C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml

    ERROR: The system cannot find the file specified.

    what now.....

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-07-03T05:55:33+00:00

    Hello Paz,

    Thank you for your response.

    As you mentioned in the earlier posts that even reinstalling operating system did not resolve the issue, I would suggest you to contact the manufacturer of the computer as it may be a hardware issue.

    Thank you

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-07-03T05:57:22+00:00

    Hello Wilson,

    Thank you for your reply.

    I would suggest you to contact a local tech shop for further assistance.

    Thank you

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments