Solved: Troubleshooting Error Code 0x80040224 in Windows Applications

Error Code 0x80040224 Summary

The error code 0x80040224 typically indicates an issue related to the Windows Update service or issues with Windows Update components. This can occur when there are problems during a system update process, or it might be due to corruption in certain registry entries or files involved in managing updates. It is also possible that this error appears when attempting to install or configure software that interacts heavily with Windows Update, such as some antivirus programs or Microsoft products like Office 365.

Where Does Error Code 0x80040224 Appear? Detailed Description

This error can manifest in various scenarios, including during the installation of software updates, applying security patches, setting up new features from Windows Update, and occasionally when running certain applications that depend on a healthy update environment. Common situations where this issue arises include after attempting to install critical updates through Windows Update, when trying to repair or reinstall Office products via the Office Deployment Tool (ODT), and during specific operations involving Microsoft’s Click-to-Run technology which is used extensively in modern installations of software like Office 365.

Howto solve error code 0x80040224

1. Identify the Specific Context: Begin by determining what operation caused the error, such as trying to update Windows or install a program that relies on Windows Update.
2. Restart Your Computer and Check for Updates: Sometimes, simply restarting your computer can resolve issues related to temporary system states. After restarting, ensure you check for updates through Settings > Update & Security.
3. Use System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM):

4. Open an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell window.

5. Run the command: sfc /scannow to scan for corrupted system files.

6. Once SFC completes, run DISM with the following commands:

7. Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

8. Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

9. Reboot your computer after completing these steps.

10. If issues persist, proceed to the next step.
11. Reset Windows Update Components:

12. In an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell window, execute the following commands:

13. net stop wuauserv

14. net stop bits

15. net stop cryptSvc

16. net stop msiserver

17. Rename C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution to SoftwareDistribution.old and C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 to catroot2.old.

18. Restart the services using the commands: net start wuauserv, net start bits, net start cryptSvc, net start msiserver.

19. Try running Windows Update again after these steps.
20. System Restore:

21. If none of the above methods resolve the issue and you suspect a recent change caused it, perform a System Restore to an earlier point before encountering this error.

22. Follow instructions from Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Recovery > Open System Restore or use similar paths depending on your Windows version.

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