WU_E_DOWNLOAD_FAILED 0x80240034

What it means

0x80240034 appears in Settings > Windows Update when an update download fails or stalls at a percentage. Windows Update could not retrieve all update files. Network interruptions or a corrupted download cache are the usual causes.

Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 11

How to fix WU_E_DOWNLOAD_FAILED

1. Check your connection, pause and resume updates, and retry
2. Disable VPN or proxy software temporarily
3. Free up space on C: if it is nearly full (Settings > System > Storage)
4. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update (Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters)
5. Reset the Windows Update cache: in Terminal (Admin) run net stop wuauserv, net stop bits and net stop cryptsvc, rename C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution to SoftwareDistribution.old, then run net start cryptsvc, net start bits and net start wuauserv
6. Install the failing update manually: note its KB number in Settings > Windows Update > Update history, download the matching package from the Microsoft Update Catalog (catalog.update.microsoft.com) and run it
7. Repair the component store from Terminal (Admin): run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, then sfc /scannow, and restart

Why it happens

Incomplete or corrupted files in SoftwareDistribution, an unstable network, a proxy or VPN, or low disk space interrupt the download.

FAQ

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