Fix Error: 0x8024401f Windows Update Failure

If you’ve encountered Windows Update error code 0x8024401F, you’re not alone. This error typically occurs when users try to update their Windows operating system, either in Windows 10 or 11, but run into problems that prevent the system from downloading and installing updates. It can be caused by various reasons, including misconfigured system settings, corrupt files, or even issues related to network connectivity.

In this article, we’ll dive into what error 0x8024401F means and provide four top solutions to help you fix it.

What is the cause of the error 0x8024401f?

Some users have reported that they are unable to update their operating system to the most recent version and have encountered the error code 0x8024401f. Typically, they encountered the Windows Update error 0x8024401f when attempting to update a UWP app through the Windows Store. Consequently, what could be the origin of the error 0x8024401f?

The error 0x8024401f may be caused by the following reasons in general. This error is usually related to Windows Update services and is typically accompanied by a message that Windows Update could not search for new updates.

Common causes include:

• Network connectivity issues: The update client may have trouble connecting to Microsoft's servers.
• Corrupted Windows Update components: Damaged or misconfigured files can interfere with the update process.
• Conflicting third-party software: Antivirus or firewall software can sometimes block Windows Update.
• Incorrect system settings: Misconfigured system policies or local settings can trigger the error.

Therefore, in the subsequent segment, we will demonstrate the solutions to the error code 0x8024401f. If you are uncertain about how to resolve this error, please continue reading.

4 Solutions to Fix Windows Update Error 0x8024401F

Solution 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

The first and easiest method to fix the Windows Update error 0x8024401F is by using the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter tool. This utility is designed to automatically detect and resolve any issues that may be preventing updates from being installed.

Steps:

1. Open Settings: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to Update & Security: Click on "Update & Security" and then select "Troubleshoot" from the left pane.
3. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter: Scroll down and click on “Additional troubleshooters.” Under the “Get up and running” section, select "Windows Update" and click “Run the troubleshooter.”
4. Follow the instructions: The tool will begin scanning for problems. If it finds any, follow the on-screen instructions to apply the fix.

Once the troubleshooting process is complete, restart your computer and attempt to run Windows Update again. If the error is resolved, great! If not, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 2: Reset Windows Update Components Manually

If the troubleshooter doesn’t fix the issue, the next step is to manually reset the Windows Update components. This process involves stopping some services, renaming update folders, and restarting the services.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Type “cmd” into the Windows search bar, right-click Command Prompt, and choose “Run as administrator.”

2. Stop services: In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptSvc

net stop bits

net stop msiserver

Rename SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders: These folders store temporary update files, and renaming them forces Windows to create new ones.

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

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

Restart services: Finally, restart the services you stopped earlier by running the following commands:

net startwuauserv

net start cryptSvc

net start bits

net start msiserver

Restart your computer and attempt to update Windows again.

This method can effectively resolve corrupt update files or settings that are causing the error.

Solution 3: Disable Third-Party Antivirus and Firewall Software

In some cases, antivirus or firewall software can interfere with the Windows Update process, causing the 0x8024401F error. Temporarily disabling your third-party security software may help resolve the problem.

Steps:

1. Locate your antivirus or firewall program: Right-click the antivirus icon in the system tray (located in the bottom-right corner of your screen) and select "Disable" or "Turn off protection." Do the same for any third-party firewall software.
2. Attempt to update Windows: Once the security software is disabled, try running Windows Update again.
3. Enable antivirus/firewall after updating: If the update is successful, don’t forget to re-enable your security software to ensure your system remains protected.

If this solution resolves the issue, you may need to configure your antivirus or firewall settings to allow Windows Update traffic in the future.

Solution 4: Check and Reset Network Settings

Since Windows Update error 0x8024401F can sometimes be caused by network connectivity issues, resetting your network settings can help restore the connection between your system and Microsoft's update servers.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Once again, open Command Prompt with admin privileges.

2. Run network reset commands: Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each:

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

netsh winsock

reset netsh int ip reset

Restart your computer: After running these commands, reboot your system to apply the changes.

This solution refreshes your network settings and can resolve any underlying connectivity issues causing the update error.

Prevent Future Windows Errors with AOMEI Partition Assistant

While solving Windows Update error 0x8024401F is essential, taking steps to prevent future system errors is equally important. That’s where a disk management tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant comes in handy.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a powerful, all-in-one disk management solution that allows you to manage and maintain your hard drives and SSDs with ease. Here’s how it can help you:

Key Features of AOMEI Partition Assistant:

• Monitor Disk Health: Keep an eye on your drives' performance and health, ensuring they remain in good working condition. This helps prevent errors that can arise from failing disks or SSDs.
• Optimize Storage: Manage your disk partitions, resize them, or create new ones to optimize the performance of your storage drives. An efficiently managed disk can contribute to a more stable system.
• Fix Disk Errors: AOMEI Partition Assistant includes tools to check and fix disk errors that might lead to issues like Windows Update failures. The tool can also help defragment your drives and clean up unnecessary files.
• Migrate OS: If you are upgrading your storage or want to clone your system to a new disk, AOMEI Partition Assistant makes it easy to migrate your OS without data loss.

By using AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can monitor and maintain your drives, reducing the risk of encountering system errors such as Windows Update error 0x8024401F in the future.

Conclusion

Windows Update error 0x8024401F can be frustrating, but with the right steps, it’s entirely fixable. By following the four solutions outlined above, you should be able to resolve the error and successfully update your system. In addition, tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant can help you maintain your system's health and prevent similar errors from occurring down the line.