How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x8024a205

Error code 0x8024a205 for Windows Update usually appears when trying to update your Windows computer. Encountering this problem may prevent you from updating your system, which is critical for security and performance.

If you encounter this error code on your Windows PC, we have some solutions for you. In this guide, you will find a list of some troubleshooting methods that can help you solve the problem.

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What causes Windows Update Error 0x8024a205?

There are several possible causes for the 0x8024a205 error, such as corrupted Windows Update components, outdated or incompatible device drivers, network connectivity issues, and more.

Luckily, there are several solutions that can help fix this error. Here’s how:

1. Restart your computer

This particular error occurs when the update being installed is incompatible with the device it’s running on, or when the download has timed out due to a network-related issue. So before you try any other solutions, it’s best to restart your computer and see if that fixes the problem.

To do this, follow these steps:

Open the Start menu.
Click on the Power icon.
Then select the Shut Down option from the menu.
Wait for a few minutes and then turn on your computer again.

Once this is done, launch Windows Update again and try to install any updates that are currently available for download. If the error persists after restarting your computer, try the other solutions given below.

2. Use Windows Update Troubleshooter

If restarting your computer doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to run Windows Update Troubleshooter, which can detect and fix any problems with Windows Update. Here’s how:

Press win+i on your keyboard to open System Settings (see How to Open System Settings for more methods).
From the left side of the screen, select System.
You can then select Troubleshooting > Other troubleshooting.

On the next page, click Run next to Windows Update.
Follow any instructions that appear on the screen.

If the troubleshooter finds any problems with your Windows Update service, it will prompt you to fix it.

3. Check your Internet connection

Another potential cause of Error 0x8024a205 is a poor or unstable Internet connection. Make sure your Internet connection is stable and working properly, then try running Windows Update again.

4. Disable or remove any antivirus programs

Antivirus programs are essential to protect your computer and personal data, but sometimes they can conflict with Windows Update and cause unnecessary problems. If the error still occurs, you can try disabling or uninstalling any antivirus software installed on your computer.

If you use Windows Defender, you will not be able to uninstall it. However, you can learn how to turn off Windows Defender and give it a try. Third-party antivirus programs often come with documentation on how to disable them, so follow the steps contained there and make sure to re-enable the antivirus program afterwards regardless of the results.

Otherwise, to remove third-party antivirus programs from your computer, follow these steps:

Right-click Start and select Installed Applications.
From there, search for the application you want to uninstall.
Once you find it, click on the three dots and select the Uninstall option.
Click Uninstall again to confirm, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Once finished, restart your computer to ensure that all remnants of the antivirus software have been removed.

5. Run System File Checker

If error 0x8024a205 has not been fixed, you can try running System File Checker. This tool checks for corrupted system files and repairs them if necessary. To use it, follow these steps:

Click Start and search for “Command Prompt”.
Right-click the search result and select Run as administrator.
When UAC appears on your computer screen, click Yes to grant privileges.
In the Command Prompt window, copy and paste the following command:
```
sfc /scannow
```
Now press Enter on your keyboard to start the scan.

After the scan is complete, restart your computer and see if the error 0x8024a205 is fixed.

Another way to fix this error code is to use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. This tool can repair corrupted Windows Update components that may be causing this problem. To use this tool, do the following:

Run Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
```
Dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
```
Wait for the process to complete, then restart the computer.

7. Reset Windows Update components

If the problem persists, you can try resetting Windows Update components. This will delete all current update files and settings and start from scratch. To do this, do the following:

Open a command prompt as an administrator.
If UAC appears on the screen, click Yes to give permission.
In the elevated Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each command:
```
net stop bitsnet stop wuauservnet stop appidsvcnet stop cryptsvc
```
Afterwards, you need to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder. To do this, run the following command:
```
Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
```
Next, rename the catroot2 folder by running the following command:
```
Ren %systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
```
Once completed, restart the services that you stopped earlier. To do this, type the following commands and press Enter after each command:
```
net start bitsnet start wuauservnet start appidsvcnet start cryptsvc
```

This will reset all Windows Update components so that they can interact with Microsoft servers correctly. After running the above commands, restart your computer and check if error 0x8024a205 is resolved.

8. Perform a System Restore

If all else fails, you can try using System Restore to restore your system to a previous point in time when error 0x8024a205 did not occur. To perform a system restore on your computer, follow these steps:

Open Run by pressing win + R.
Type “rstrui” and hit enter.
Click Next in the System Restore window.
Select a restore point from the list of available restore points, and then click Next again.
Follow the instructions to complete the system restore process on your computer.

Resolving Windows Update Error 0x8024a205

If you find yourself dealing with Windows Update Error 0x8024a205, that’s okay because you can resolve it in a number of ways. Hopefully one of these options will help you identify and resolve the issue