0x8024402c and 0x80244018: Fix Windows Update NETWORK_FAILURE

Fix Windows Update errors 0x8024402c and 0x80244018 (NETWORK_FAILURE) in Windows 10 and 11 by fixing proxy, DNS, VPN, firewall, and update settings.

Windows Update errors 0x8024402c and 0x80244018 both mean the same basic thing: your PC cannot reach Microsoft’s update servers. Windows often reports them as a NETWORK_FAILURE. The cause is almost always a network setting such as a proxy, DNS, VPN, or firewall, not a broken Windows installation. This guide explains each code and shows you the fixes in order, from the quickest to the most thorough.

Quick answer: Turn off any VPN or proxy, open Command Prompt as administrator, run netsh winhttp reset proxy and ipconfig /flushdns, restart your PC, and check for updates again. This fixes most cases.

What do 0x8024402c and 0x80244018 mean?

Error code	Official name	What it means
0x8024402c	WU_E_PT_WINHTTP_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED	Windows cannot find the update server’s address. Usually a proxy or DNS problem.
0x80244018	WU_E_PT_HTTP_STATUS_FORBIDDEN	The server or something in between (proxy, firewall, VPN) refused the connection (HTTP 403).

You may see messages like:

• There were problems installing some updates... (0x8024402c)
• We couldn't connect to the update service. Error 0x80244018
• Download error - 0x8024402c in the Microsoft Store or Windows Update

Common causes

• A proxy server set in Windows or left behind by an old app
• Wrong or slow DNS settings
• A VPN or third-party firewall/antivirus blocking Microsoft servers
• A WSUS (company update server) setting that no longer works
• Incorrect date and time
• An unstable internet connection

How to fix 0x8024402c and 0x80244018

Restart your PC after each fix and try Windows Update again.

Fix 1: Check your internet and run the troubleshooter

1. Test your connection

   Open a website in your browser. If it does not load, fix your internet connection first or restart your router.

2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

   • Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then select Run next to Windows Update.
   • Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update.

Fix 2: Turn off VPN, proxy, and third-party antivirus

1. Disconnect your VPN

   Close or disconnect any VPN app.

2. Turn off the manual proxy

   Go to Settings > Network & internet > Proxy. Turn on Automatically detect settings and turn off Use a proxy server.

3. Pause antivirus or firewall

   Temporarily turn off third-party antivirus or firewall software. Turn it back on after the update installs.

Fix 3: Reset the proxy and flush DNS

Windows Update uses its own proxy setting (WinHTTP), which can stay broken even after you fix the one in Settings.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

Reset proxy and DNS

netsh winhttp reset proxy
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset

Restart your PC.

Fix 4: Change your DNS server

A different DNS server can fix 0x8024402c when Windows cannot resolve the update server name.

1. Open network adapter settings

   Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.

2. Open IPv4 properties

   Right-click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), select Properties, then double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

3. Set a public DNS

   Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:

   • Preferred: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate: 1.1.1.1
4. Save

   Select OK and close the windows.

Fix 5: Check date, time, and region

Wrong date or time can make secure connections fail.

1. Go to Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
2. Turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
3. Select Sync now.

Fix 6: Turn off the WSUS setting in the Registry

If your PC once belonged to a company or school, it may still try to use their update server (WSUS). This is a very common cause of 0x8024402c.

Editing the Registry incorrectly can cause problems. Create a restore point first (search Create a restore point in Start).

1. Open Registry Editor

   Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Go to the Windows Update key

   Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
   
3. Change UseWUServer

   Double-click UseWUServer and set its value to 0. If the key or value does not exist, skip this fix.

4. Restart Windows Update

   Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

   net stop wuauserv
   net start wuauserv
   

If your PC is managed by your work or school, ask your IT team before changing this setting.

Fix 7: Reset Windows Update components

This clears the update cache and restarts the update services.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands one by one:

Reset Windows Update

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

Fix 8: Reset your network settings

If nothing else worked, reset all network settings to default.

1. Windows 11: Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
2. Windows 10: Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset.
3. Select Reset now and restart your PC.

Network reset removes saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN connections. Keep your Wi-Fi password handy.

How to prevent these errors

• Remove old VPN and proxy apps you no longer use.
• Keep Automatically detect settings on in proxy settings.
• Use a reliable DNS server.
• Keep date and time set to automatic.

Frequently asked questions

Are 0x8024402c and 0x80244018 the same error?

They are closely related. 0x8024402c means Windows cannot find the update server, and 0x80244018 means the connection was blocked. Both are network problems, so the same fixes work for both.

What does NETWORK_FAILURE mean in Windows Update?

It means Windows Update could not connect to Microsoft’s servers. Check your proxy, DNS, VPN, and firewall settings.

Does 0x8024402c affect the Microsoft Store?

Yes. The Microsoft Store uses the same connection, so the store can show the same error. The fixes above solve both.

Which fix works best?

For most users, resetting the proxy and flushing DNS (Fix 3) solves the problem. On former work or school PCs, Fix 6 (WSUS setting) is usually the answer.

Will these fixes delete my files?

No. None of these fixes touch your personal files. Network reset only removes saved network connections.