How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x8024401c (Full Guide)

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Microsoft regularly releases updates for Windows that your computer needs in order to take advantage of the latest security patches and hotfixes. On most PCs, the Windows Update service is scheduled to run automatically, prompting you about pending Windows updates that require your attention.

Unfortunately, the updating service doesn’t always work as expected, throwing errors such as 0x8024401c as a result. If system updates are blocked on your PC due to error code 0x8024401c, find out how to fix this problem without having to turn to a professional for help.

FIX: Windows Update Error 0x8024401c

Some of the following solutions need you to tinker with the system registry settings. So it’s a good idea to create a system restore point before starting the troubleshooting operation. In case you make any mistakes, you can roll back Windows 10 and begin again.

1. Use the Windows Update troubleshooter

The Windows Update troubleshooter runs a quick scan on your computer to identify and resolve common problems that prevent the system’s updating tool from working properly. Here’s how you can use it:

Press the Win key, search for Troubleshoot settings, and press Enter
Click Additional troubleshooters
Find and select Windows Update
Click the Run the troubleshooter button
Follow the wizard steps and allow Windows to apply any fixes

2. Use Windows Update Diagnostic

More Windows Update issues can be resolved by Windows Update Diagnostic:

Sign in to Windows 10 using an admin account
Download Windows Update Diagnostic from the official website
Start the app and select Windows Update
Click Next and follow the step-by-step instructions
Launch the app again and choose Windows Network Diagnostics
Click Next and follow the remaining steps
Restart your computer

3. Check Services

Some system services are tied to Windows Update and must be allowed to run. Others might clash with the app and should be disabled to stay on the safe side. Here’s what you have to do:

Click the Start button, write Services, and open this app
Right-click Windows Update and go to Properties
Set Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start) and click the Start button
Click Apply
Find the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and App Readiness entries and set the same options
Find Network List Service and access its properties
Set Startup type to Disabled and click Stop
Click Apply and quit to the desktop

4. Check Group Policy

You should head over to the Local Group Policy Editor to make sure that Windows Update is allowed to run on your computer. Otherwise, you could end up with error 0x8024401c. If you prefer to completely turn off updates instead of troubleshooting them, you can configure Group Policy settings accordingly.

Click the Start button, search for edit group policy, and hit Enter
Go to the following location: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
Double-click Configure Automatic Updates to view its properties
Select Enabled, click Apply, and exit to the desktop

5. Reset Windows Update from Command Prompt

You can clear the Windows Update cache by resetting all software components involved in its services, thanks to the command-line environment:

Make sure to log in to Windows 10 using an admin account
Press the Windows key, type cmd, and open the Command Prompt app

Enter these commands and press Enter after each line:

```
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
```

Restart your PC

6. Check registry settings

Using Registry Editor, you should inspect some entries that affect Windows Update, in order to make sure that everything is in working order. Here’s what you need to do:

Press Windows key + R, write regedit, and hit Enter to open Registry Editor. If prompted by UAC (User Account Control), click Yes
Open the File menu and select Export
Create a registry backup file by specifying the file name and saving directory

Go to the following location:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update

Check whether or not EnableFeaturedSoftware exists. If so, ensure that Data is set to 0x00000001 (1). Otherwise, double-click its entry, set Value data to 1 and Base to Hexadecimal, then click OK
However, if EnableFeaturedSoftware doesn’t exist, you must create it:
1. Select Edit > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
2. Enter the EnableFeaturedSoftware entry and double-click it
3. Set Value data to 1 and Base to Hexadecimal, then click OK

Head over to this location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX

Double-click IsConvergedUpdateStackEnabled, set Value data to 0 and Base to Hexadecimal, then click OK

Now, head over to this destination:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings

Double-click UxOption, set Value data to 0 and Base to Hexadecimal, then click OK

Next, visit:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\SystemCertificates

Check whether or not CopyFileBufferedSynchronousIo exists. It so, make sure its Data is set to 0x00000001 (1). Else, double-click the entry, set Value data to 1 and Base to Hexadecimal, then click OK
If CopyFileBufferedSynchronousIo doesn’t exist:
- Select Edit > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
- Rename the entry to CopyFileBufferedSynchronousIo and double-click it
- Set Value data to 1 and Base to Hexadecimal, then click OK
Quit to the desktop

7. Update your network drivers

If you’re experiencing network connectivity issues, you should check your network drivers since they might be outdated, especially if you still have the stock drivers because you never performed an update.

The quickest and safest way is to use a driver updating application for updating all obsolete drivers at the same time. However, if you don’t want to install any third-party programs, you can turn to Device Manager:

Press Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter
Click the arrow button next to Network adapters to expand this group
Right-click your network interface and select Update driver
Click Search automatically for drivers and wait

If the online search doesn’t return anything, you can visit the manufacturer website of your network adapter in order to find, download and install the latest version. It’s risky, though, because you could accidentally set up an unsupported driver.

8. Roll back your network drivers

On the other hand, you might have accidentally downloaded and installed a driver that’s not compatible with your network adapter or operating system. It could hurt your entire Internet connections, so it’s better to roll back to the previous version. Here’s how:

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager
Double-click your network adapter to access its properties
Switch to the Driver tab
Click the Roll Back Driver button and follow the step-by-step instructions

If you can’t click Roll Back Driver because the button is greyed out, it’s impossible to go through with the rollback because there’s no previous driver saved on your PC.

9. Unplug peripheral devices

Hardware components that were recently attached to your desktop or laptop might not fully support your operating system. In turn, this could affect your applications, Internet connections, and system tools like Windows Update, resulting in error 0x8024401c.

Consider any new pieces of hardware that you connected to your PC, like a webcam, a Wi-Fi adapter, a pen drive, or a memory card. Remove their cables, restart your computer, and check if you can run Windows Update. You should also try plugging the devices into other USB ports in case they are not working properly.

10. Reinstall devices

Another way to deal with peripheral devices is by reinstalling them on your Windows 10 PC. This is made possible through Device Manager since you just have to uninstall the adapters. After restarting your computer, Windows will make sure to automatically install all missing devices. Here’s what you need to do:

Click the Start button, search for Device Manager, and press Enter
Look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark
Right-click it and select Uninstall device
Open the Action menu and choose Scan for hardware changes
Reboot your Windows PC

11. Check your hard disk for errors

Your HDD or SSD might be experiencing hardware failure or bad sectors. It could affect your entire system, including the Windows Update service. But you can turn to CHKDSK (Check Disk) to find and fix any problems:

Click the Start button, search for Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator (click Yes if prompted by UAC)
Take into account the partition letter of Windows and enter chkdsk c: /f /r (if it’s not c:, replace it with the correct letter)
CHKDSK will ask you to confirm scheduling the tool at the next Windows boot. Agree by typing y and pressing Enter
Restart your PC and wait for CHKDSK to do its job

12. Fix corrupt system files

Windows 10 might have damaged, modified or missing files that are essential for Windows Update. Without taking measures, you will keep seeing error code 0x8024401c. But you can fix this problem by running DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and then SFC (System File Checker). These troubleshooting methods are similar to BSOD fix instructions that can resolve various Windows system errors:

Press the Win key, type CMD, select Command Prompt, and click Run as administrator
Write DISM /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth and press Enter
If it finds any issues, run DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth to fix them
Reboot your PC and launch Command Prompt with elevated rights
Type sfc /scannow and hit the Enter key
Restart your workstation before trying Windows Update

13. Check firewall settings

Your firewall filters Internet traffic by allowing and denying access to processes and services. If you have accidentally messed up the firewall settings, this could explain why Windows Update throws you errors like 0x8024401c. Unless you have a third-party firewall tool installed, here’s what you can do with Windows Defender Firewall.

How to temporarily disable your firewall:

Make sure you’re signed in with an admin account on Windows 10
Click the Start button, type check firewall status, and press Enter
Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off
At Private network settings and Public network settings, select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall and click OK

Try to run Windows Update now. If it turns out to be a successful move, you shouldn’t keep your firewall disabled because it means leaving your PC vulnerable to malware attacks. Instead, you can restore firewall settings to default, in order to undo any customized preferences that could’ve triggered the Windows Update error.

How to restore firewall settings to default:

Press the Win key, type firewall, and open Firewall & network protection
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Restore firewalls to default
Click Restore defaults and click Yes to confirm

14. Run a malware scan

A malicious agent could have hijacked your PC and deactivated critical files that Windows Update needs to work properly. Unless you have a third-party security solution installed, here’s how to find and remove malware using Windows Defender:

Click the Start button, write Windows Security, and open this tool
Pick Virus & threat protection
Click Scan options
Select Quick scan and click Scan now
If the scanner doesn’t find any threats, pick Windows Defender Offline scan and click Scan now
Make sure to quarantine or remove any files