Windows Update Error 0x80240034 – Fixed

Windows Update Error 0x80240034 is an error we usually came across while updating software or drivers in the Windows Update panel when an update is failed to complete. You may have seen it while updating features in your Windows 10 system.

When you face this error, your Windows Update will get stuck at 1% and it will fail eventually after some time. Click on the View Update History to see your update history. You will then come across error code 0x80240034 along with the failed updates option. Once this error has occurred, this will show up every time you try to update the Windows. And it doesn’t occur for any particular version of Windows, it will continue to show until it is solved. It can show up irrespective of the Windows build of the system.

Different users may see different error codes when their Windows Update fails, but the error code is still 0x80240034 when they open the Update History of the Windows Update.

However, we can’t be 100% sure about what causes this error to appear, but most of the time it is some corrupted or damaged file present in the system. So, it is recommended to reset the Windows update cache first. As it can remove the unnecessary cache files present in the system’s memory.

It has been noticed that a lot of users solved this issue with the use of the ISO and by selecting the Do not keep previous settings option during the Windows update. As it might help in transferring the previous setting of the system through the update client. But, there are other methods as well to solve this issue easily like Windows Update Troubleshooter or SFC tool.

This issue can be annoying at times, but there is no need to panic as this error can be easily resolved by just following a few steps. There are many ways to resolve this error, as mentioned earlier and we have discussed them briefly step-by-step in this article.

How can I fix error 0x80240034 on Windows 10?

So, here we are about to discuss about some of the most effective solutions to fix the error code 0x80240034 on your Windows 10. Try out them to fix the error.

1. Use Windows Update Troubleshooter

Firstly, it is advisable to try the Windows Update troubleshooter as it can solve simple errors without the need for any more complicated solution. It is the first step you should perform if you face any kind of problem with your system update. Before running it, make sure your system has a proper internet connection and then follow these steps to fix this error.

Step 1: Press the WinKey+I key simultaneously to open the Windows Settings.

Step 2: Now, select the Update & Security section and then the Troubleshoot option from the left columns.

Step 3: Navigate to the Additional troubleshooters option and select it.

Step 4:  Next, tap on the Windows Update section to expand it and then click on the Run the troubleshooter option.

Step 5: This will automatically initiate the check for any possible error and repair them as well if any found.

Step 6: After the process is completed, Restart your system and check if the issue is resolved or not.

This method works most of the time. But if this method didn’t resolve the error, then switch to the next method.

2. Run SFC

Windows error 0x80240034 can also occur if some file is missing or corrupted in your system. System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in utility in Windows which can easily find and then can repair then corrupted files in your system. To fix this error with the help of SRC, follow these steps.

Step 1: Firstly, search for the Command Prompt feature in your system with the help of the Search bar.

Step 2: Now, from the results, look out for Command Prompt and right-click on it, and select Run as Administrator from the right-click menu.

Step 3: Type sfc /scannow on the command prompt window and then press the Enter key.

Step 4: After the repair process is completed, go to the Windows update and check if the problem is fixed or not.

This method is one of the most effective ways to solve error 0x80240034. But, if the problem still persists, then switch to the next solution.

3. Run DISM

Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is used by the Windows in repairing and preparing Windows Images or Windows Recovery Environment like Setup. It can repair corrupted and damaged files that SFC cannot. To fix this issue using DISM follow these mentioned steps.

Step 1: Firstly, search for the Command Prompt feature in your system with the help of the Search bar.

Step 2: Now, from the results, look out for Command Prompt and right-click on it, and select Run as Administrator from the right-click menu.

Step 3: Type dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth in the command prompt window and then press the Enter key.

Step 4: After the repair process is completed, reboot your system.

Step 5: At last, open the system again and check whether the Windows Update is working properly or not.

This method is one of the most effective ways to solve this error. But, if the error is still there, it is recommended that you should try the next solution.

4. Download the Update Manually

This method is used when any of the other solutions don’t work for your system. In this method, we manually download and install the update which is linked to the error.

First, we need to obtain the update code for the Windows update. Generally, the update code starts with KB and is followed by an array or group of numbers. After identifying the update code, follow these steps to download and install the update manually.

Step 1: Navigate to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

Step 2: Type the update code in the search box and press the enter key.

Step 3: Look out for the update which uses the same architecture as your system and select it.

Step 4: Now, click on the Download option and download the update.

Step 5: Next, run the setup file and install the update by following the instructions

Step 6: After that reboot your System.

This solution will definitely work but can take a lot of time as every update is downloaded manually. It is not a permanent solution, so it is recommended to try other methods.

5. Reset Windows Updates Components

Resetting Windows Update is one of the most effective ways to fix error 0x80240034.SoftwareDistribution folder is the folder where Windows store the updated files while the system is getting updated. But, sometimes there can be some issue with this folder. So, in order to fix this error, follow these steps.

Step 1: Firstly, search for Command Prompt (Admin) feature in your system through the Search bar.

Step 2: Type net stop wuauserv on command prompt window and hit the Enter on your keyboard.

Step 3: Now, type net stop cryptSvc on the command prompt and hit the Enter again.

Step 4: Type net stop bits on the command prompt and hit enter.

Step 5: Type ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old and ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old one by one in the command prompt and hit enter.

Step 6: Reboot the system.

Step 7: After the system is started again, open the Command prompt window once more.

Step 8: Type net start wuauserv again in the command prompt window and press enter.

Step 9: Type net start cryptSvc and hit enter again.

Step 10: Now, type net start bits on the command prompt and hit enter again.

Step 11: At last, check again for the Windows Update and see whether the error is resolved or not.

By the time you are done with this solution, the error must be solved. And if not, go ahead and try the last one, as this will certainly work for your system.

6. Run A Full System Scan

Windows error 0x80240034 can also cause by infectious malware present in your system. If any of the above-mentioned methods didn’t work for you, run a full system scan of your system using your Antivirus software.

If your system doesn’t have any third-party antivirus software, we recommend you to try Bitdefender software. It won’t interfere in any of your system tasks and is fast and reliable too.

We hope that the solutions stated in this article helped you with resolving the Windows 0x80240034 error. If you have any further queries or suggestions, mention them in the comment section, we would love to help you out.