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# 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.

<Info>
  **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.
</Info>

## 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

<Steps>
  <Step title="Test your connection">
    Open a website in your browser. If it does not load, fix your internet connection first or restart your router.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

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

<Steps>
  <Step title="Disconnect your VPN">
    Close or disconnect any VPN app.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Turn off the manual proxy">
    Go to **Settings > Network & internet > Proxy**. Turn on **Automatically detect settings** and turn off **Use a proxy server**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pause antivirus or firewall">
    Temporarily turn off third-party antivirus or firewall software. Turn it back on after the update installs.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 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:

```bash Reset proxy and DNS theme={null}
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.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open network adapter settings">
    Press **Win + R**, type `ncpa.cpl`, and press **Enter**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open IPv4 properties">
    Right-click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), select **Properties**, then double-click **Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a public DNS">
    Select **Use the following DNS server addresses** and enter:

    * Preferred: `8.8.8.8`
    * Alternate: `1.1.1.1`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Select **OK** and close the windows.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 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.

<Warning>
  Editing the Registry incorrectly can cause problems. Create a restore point first (search **Create a restore point** in Start).
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Registry Editor">
    Press **Win + R**, type `regedit`, and press **Enter**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to the Windows Update key">
    Navigate to:

    ```text theme={null}
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Change UseWUServer">
    Double-click **UseWUServer** and set its value to `0`. If the key or value does not exist, skip this fix.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Windows Update">
    Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    net stop wuauserv
    net start wuauserv
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

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

### 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:

```bash Reset Windows Update theme={null}
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.

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

## 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

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will these fixes delete my files?">
    No. None of these fixes touch your personal files. Network reset only removes saved network connections.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


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