What Is Windows Update Error 0x8024A004 and How to Fix It

If you’ve come across the error code 0x8024A004 on your computer, it means that you ran into issues installing Windows updates. This error can appear due to various reasons, but thankfully, there are a few things you can try to get rid of it.

In this article, we’ll go through all the working fixes that will help you get your Windows update back on track.

What Is Windows Update Error Code 0x8024A004?

It’s very common to encounter issues while downloading Windows updates. The error code 0x8024A004 mainly appears when you try to upgrade from the 21H1 Windows 11 build to the 22H2 build. The error stops you from enjoying some of the best features of the Windows 11 22H2 update.

Some of the common culprits behind the error code are:

The Windows Update services are not running in the background.
Your computer doesn’t have enough space to download the update.
There’s corruption in the SoftwareDistribution folder.
Your computer is not compatible with the 22H2 update.

1. Restart Your Device and Try Again

If you’re getting the error code 0x8024A004 on trying to update Windows, the possibility is high that a damaged or missing file is causing the issue. The solution, in this case, is to restart your computer and try updating Windows again. This may seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes that’s all it takes to eliminate the issue.

2. Ensure Your Computer Is Compatible With the 22H2 Update

If you’ve installed Windows 11 by bypassing its minimum requirement, you might face issues downloading the forthcoming Windows 11 update. To check whether your computer is compatible with the Windows 11 21H2 update, follow the below instructions:

Press the Win + R hotkeys to open the Run dialog box.
In the search bar, type regedit and click OK to open the Registry Editor.

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location:

Computer > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > AppCompatFlags > TargetVersionUpgradeExperienceIndicators > NI22H2

In the right pane, locate and open the RedReason key.
In the new window that crops up, check the Value data. If the display value is NONE, your computer is compatible with Windows 11 22H2 update. If it shows any other value, like TPM UEFISecureBoot, your computer isn’t compatible with the update.

3. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter

The best way to eliminate Windows update issues is to use the Windows Update Troubleshooter. This built-in tool looks for and fixes problems with Windows updates.

You can run the Windows Update Troubleshooter by following the below steps:

Press the Win key to launch the Start Menu.
In the search bar, type Settings and press Enter.
In the Settings window, choose System from the left panel and then select Troubleshoot.
Click on Other troubleshooters.
Click the Run button next to Windows Update.

The troubleshooter will start scanning your computer for problems. If it finds any, it will try to fix them automatically.

In some cases, you may have to follow additional instructions or restart the device to complete the process. Once the troubleshooter has completed its work, try updating Windows again to check if the problem has been resolved.

4. Clean Up Your Disk Drive

Cleaning the C Drive with the Windows 10 Disk Cleanup tool

The error code 0x8024A004 can pop up if your computer doesn’t have enough disk space. The solution, in this case, is to create more space by cleaning up the drive containing the Windows 11 OS.

You can use the Disk Cleanup tool to help you with this. It finds redundant files on your drive, which you can delete to create more space. Here’s how to use this tool:

Launch the Start Menu, type Disk Cleanup, and press Enter.
Select the drive that contains the Windows 11 OS and click OK.
Check all the files you want to delete and click OK.

5. Clear the SoftwareDistribution Folder

The SoftwareDistribution folder contains all the Windows update temporary files. But sometimes, this folder can get corrupted and interfere with the Windows update process.

You’ll have to clear the content of the SoftwareDistribution folder to fix the issue. Here’s how:

In the Start Menu search bar, type Command Prompt and click Run as administrator from the right pane.

Type the following commands and press Enter after each one:

net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptSvc
net stop msiserver

Next, open the File Explorer, and navigate C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
Select everything inside the SoftwareDistribution folder, right-click and choose Delete from the context menu.
After deleting the content of the SoftwareDistribution folder, you’ll have to restart the previously stopped services. To do that, type the following commands in the elevated Command Prompt window and press Enter after each one.
```
net start wuauserv
net start bits
net start cryptSvc
net start msiserver
```

After completing all the steps, restart your computer and check if the problem continues.

6. Ensure that the Dependency Services for Windows Update Are Enabled

There are certain service dependencies that must be enabled if you want to install Windows updates. You can make sure the Windows Module Installer, BITS, and CryptSvc services are enabled like this:

Type Services in the Run dialog box and click OK.
Double-click BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) to view a properties window for the service.
Click the drop-down icon next to Startup type and choose Automatic.
Click Start on the properties window if the service isn’t running.
Click Apply > OK.

That’s it. Repeat the previous four steps for Cryptographic service, Windows Update service, and Windows Modules Installer.

7. Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus Utilities

Sometimes, the installed third-party utility can mistakenly interfere with the update process and cause the problem at hand. To stop this from happening, disable real-time scanning for third-party antivirus applications.

If you have third-party software installed on your computer, right-click on its icon in the system tray and select a context menu option to disable it for a few hours. Then, try downloading the 22H2 update again.

Download Windows Update Without Any Issue

Windows Update Errors are very common, and it indicates that one of the important update files is damaged or missing. Thankfully, you can quickly troubleshoot most of the Windows Update issues. If you come across the error code 0x8024A004, you now know how to fix it.

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