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# Fix Windows Update Error 0x8024402c: Get Updates Working
- URL: https://techbytefix.com/windows-update-error-0x8024402c/
- Published: 2026-10-26T00:23:32.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-26T00:23:32.000Z
- Author: Jake Whitman
- Tags: Windows, Troubleshooting

Windows Update error 0x8024402c usually means that a proxy, DNS problem, VPN, or other network issue is stopping Windows Update from reaching Microsoft’s servers. Check your connection, date and time, VPN, proxy, and Windows Update troubleshooter first; then reset WinHTTP, refresh DNS, restart update services, and rebuild the update cache if necessary. These steps do not remove personal files or require risky registry changes.

## What error 0x8024402c usually means and what to check first

```text
0x8024402c
```

Error

Windows shows this error when it cannot connect to its update service while scanning for or downloading updates. A wrong proxy address is a common cause. DNS failures, VPN software, incorrect system time, restricted networks, and security software can cause the same failure.

Before changing Windows components, check the connection:

- Open several normal websites in your browser. If they do not load, fix the internet connection first.
- Temporarily disconnect from a VPN. Some VPN clients route Windows Update through a proxy or DNS service that blocks Microsoft endpoints.
- Confirm that Windows has the correct date, time, and time zone. Open Settings, select `Time & language`, then `Date & time`, turn on automatic time and time-zone settings, and select `Sync now` if available.
- Restart the computer and try Windows Update once more.

Also identify who manages the computer. On a personally owned PC, an old proxy or VPN setting is a likely cause. A work or school PC may use an internal Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) server or an organization proxy. In that case, the error can result from an organization policy or an unavailable company network. Changing proxy settings yourself can stop the device from finding its approved update server.

Windows 10 and Windows 11 use the same general repair process. You need an Administrator account for the command-line steps. The early checks do not change files. Rebuilding the update cache does not remove personal documents, but it requires a restart and causes Windows Update to download update files again.

![A laptop showing Windows Update sits beside a wireless router with an active internet connection.](https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Windows%20Update%20laptop%20on%20Wi-Fi%20photo&w=624&h=352&c=7)

## Is a proxy or managed update server causing the failure?

Check the normal Windows proxy setting first. In Windows 11, open Settings, select `Network & internet`, then `Proxy`. In Windows 10, open Settings, select `Network & Internet`, then `Proxy`.

```text
Settings > Network & internet > Proxy
```

Settings path

On a home connection, leave `Automatically detect settings` enabled unless you have a specific reason not to. Turn off `Use a proxy server` if you did not deliberately configure one. Do not copy a proxy address from a website or another PC. If your employer or school supplied the proxy, leave it unchanged and contact the administrator.

Windows Update also uses WinHTTP, which has a separate proxy configuration. To inspect it, open Command Prompt as Administrator:

```cmd
netsh winhttp show proxy
```

Command Prompt (run as Administrator)

On a home PC that should not use a proxy, the result normally shows direct access rather than a manually configured proxy. If it shows an address you do not recognize, reset it in step 2 of the repair sequence. A managed PC may correctly show an organization proxy or an internal update server. Do not reset that setting until IT confirms that it is safe.

WSUS policies are commonly applied through organization management rather than the ordinary Proxy page. If the PC belongs to a workplace or school, connect to the organization’s network or VPN as instructed and ask IT whether the WSUS server is available. The correct fix may be restoring access to that server, not sending Windows Update directly to Microsoft.

![A workplace computer displays Windows Update settings with managed network configuration visible.](https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Windows%20Update%20managed%20server%20settings%20screen&w=624&h=352&c=7)

## Fix Windows Update error 0x8024402c in the safest order

Work through these steps in order. Stop when Windows Update works. The first steps are reversible and should be completed before rebuilding the update cache.

1. Run the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter. Open Settings, select `System`, then `Troubleshoot`, then `Other troubleshooters` in Windows 11\. In Windows 10, open `Update & Security`, select `Troubleshoot`, then `Additional troubleshooters`. Run `Windows Update`, apply any recommended repair, and restart if prompted.

```text
Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run
Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run
```

Settings path

The troubleshooter should finish with a report and apply a repair when it finds one. If it reports that no problem was found, continue; it does not detect every proxy or DNS fault.

1. Remove an incorrect Windows proxy setting. Return to the Proxy page and turn off `Use a proxy server` if this is a personal PC and you do not intentionally use one. Leave `Automatically detect settings` enabled unless your network administrator gave you different instructions.

```text
Settings > Network & internet > Proxy > Use a proxy server
```

Settings path

Save the change and try Windows Update. If the error remains, reset the WinHTTP proxy from an elevated Command Prompt:

```cmd
netsh winhttp reset proxy
```

Command Prompt (run as Administrator)

The expected output is:

```text
Direct access (no proxy server).
```

Expected output

If the command says access is denied, reopen Command Prompt with `Run as administrator`. If a managed PC reports a required proxy, stop and restore the organization’s setting or contact IT.

1. Refresh Windows’ DNS information. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

```cmd
ipconfig /flushdns
```

Command Prompt (run as Administrator)

You should see a message that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed. This clears stale local DNS data; it does not change your router or internet provider’s DNS service. If websites still fail to load or Windows Update returns the same error, the network or DNS server itself may be unavailable.

1. Restart the update services. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run each command:

```cmd
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc
net start cryptsvc
net start bits
net start wuauserv
```

Command Prompt (run as Administrator)

Each service should stop or start successfully. A message saying that a service is not started is not necessarily a problem; continue with the remaining commands. If a service refuses to stop or start, restart Windows and try this step again. Security software or organization policy may be controlling the service.

1. Rebuild the Windows Update cache only if the earlier steps did not work. This renames the cache folders so Windows can create clean replacements. It does not delete personal files, but pending update downloads must be downloaded again.

Do not delete or rename these folders while the update services are running. Use the commands exactly as shown, and do not apply this step on a managed PC without approval from IT.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

```cmd
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren %systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start cryptsvc
net start bits
net start wuauserv
```

Command Prompt (run as Administrator)

If the rename commands complete without an error, restart Windows. Windows creates new `SoftwareDistribution` and `catroot2` folders when the update components run. If a folder is not found, it may already have been renamed; restart and test Windows Update.

## How to confirm Windows Update is working again

Restart the PC after changing proxy settings, restarting services, or rebuilding the cache. Then start a new scan manually.

```text
Windows 11: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates
Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates
```

Settings path

The scan should complete without showing `0x8024402c`. If an update is available, it should begin downloading and reach installation or a restart-required state. If Windows says `You’re up to date`, check update history to confirm that the scan completed rather than simply closing the error screen.

After an update installs, restart if Windows requests it. Return to the Windows Update page and select `Check for updates` again. A second successful scan confirms that the connection and update services are working instead of showing a temporary improvement caused by a cached result.

![A Windows computer displays the Windows Update page while checking for new updates.](https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Windows%20Update%20checking%20for%20updates%20screen&w=624&h=352&c=7)

## What to do if 0x8024402c keeps coming back

If the error returns after a successful scan, check the connection components that the earlier steps did not change. Temporarily pause third-party antivirus web filtering or firewall features, if your security product permits it, and test Windows Update again. Re-enable protection immediately afterward. Do not leave a firewall or antivirus disabled as a permanent workaround.

Test the PC on a different trusted network, such as a phone hotspot. If Windows Update works there, the original router, DNS service, firewall, or network policy is the likely cause. Contact the network provider or administrator instead of repeatedly resetting Windows Update folders. Persistent DNS failures can also require correcting the network adapter’s DNS configuration or the router’s settings.

On a work or school computer, recurring errors often reflect a WSUS server, proxy, VPN, or organization policy. Ask IT whether the device can reach the approved update service and whether recent policy changes are expected. Do not force a direct Microsoft connection by removing policy settings.

If the PC is personally owned and the network is known to work, use Windows’ built-in repair options after backing up important work. Run `Settings > System > Recovery` in Windows 11, or the corresponding recovery options in Windows 10, and follow Microsoft’s supported repair guidance. Choose an option that preserves personal files when available, and read the confirmation screen before proceeding. If the problem continues, Microsoft Support or a qualified technician can inspect update logs and network policy without resorting to random registry edits.

## Conclusion

For a personal PC, complete the checks in order and stop as soon as Windows Update scans and installs successfully. If the computer uses a workplace or school WSUS server, proxy, VPN, or policy, contact IT before changing those settings.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Will fixing error 0x8024402c delete my files?

No. The checks, proxy reset, DNS flush, service restart, and cache-folder rename do not delete personal documents, photos, or installed programs. Rebuilding the cache can remove incomplete update downloads, which Windows downloads again. Read any recovery prompt carefully before using broader repair options.

### Should I change my DNS server to fix 0x8024402c?

Not first. Flush the local DNS cache and test the connection. If Windows Update works on another network, the original DNS service or network policy is more likely to be at fault. On a managed PC, ask the administrator before changing DNS settings.

### Why does the error return after I reset the proxy?

A VPN, security product, organization policy, or network device may be restoring the setting or blocking the connection. Check whether the PC is managed, test another trusted network, and review VPN and web-filtering settings. Do not repeatedly reset the update cache without finding the setting or network that is reintroducing the problem.