0x8024402c Windows Update Error

This is a fairly common Windows Update error and hopefully this article will help you resolve the problems you are having.

The 0x8024402c error code typically occurs because an incorrect character exists in the proxy override settings.

What causes Error 0x8024402c

# Incorrect character exists in the proxy override settings.

# A misconfigured Proxy/Firewall can cause this problem.

# You are trying to access Windows Update using VPN. The website and Automatic Update may not function properly.

# The corporate environment does not have autoproxy implemented.

# Your workstations sit behind a Microsoft ISA server.

To try and resolve the error 0x8024402c, use the following tips... After each tip test to determine whether the issue is resolved.


To resolve this error, use one of the following methods:

Resolution Suggestion One:

# Remove invalid characters from the proxy exception list and then clear the proxy cache.

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools, select Internet Options.
3. Click on the Connections tab.
4. Click on the LAN Settings.
5. Click on the Advanced button.
6. Please delete any entry in the Exceptions section.

Next, clear your proxy cache.

1. Click on Start, and then click Run.
2. Type cmd in the Open box to get a DOS prompt.
3. Type proxycfg -d at the command prompt, and press Enter.
4. Type net stop wuauserv at the command prompt, and press Enter.
5. Type net start wuauserv at the command prompt, and press Enter.
6. Now try the site again.

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Resolution Suggestion Two:

# Reconfigure or update your firewall program.

Double-check the Proxy/Firewall settings. Add the following urls to the exception list within your Firewall/Proxy:

http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://download.windowsupdate.com

For help configuring Proxy/Firewall refer to documentation or contact the manufacturer.

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Resolution Suggestion Three:

# VPN and Proxy.

You are trying to access Windows Update using VPN. The website and Automatic Update may not function properly.

Autoproxy is not picking up the wpad.dat proxy configuration file to determine the proxy to be used for the target URL. Thus we are going with no proxy!

1. Try to access Windows Update while not using VPN connection.
2. Use the proxycfg tool to specify a proxy server to use (proxycfg.exe -p <proxy server>). (contact your network administrator to find out the name and port of this proxy.)

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Resolution Suggestion Four:

# Run proxycfg to tell WU about your proxy.

The corporate environment does not have autoproxy implemented.

Automatic Update will always do autoproxy detection and thus if that returns no proxy, it will try to use no proxy. Use the proxycfg tool to specify a proxy server to use (proxycfg.exe -p <proxy server>). Please contact your network administrator to find out the name and port of this proxy.

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Resolution Suggestion Five:

# Your workstations sit behind a Microsoft ISA server...

There appears to be a small issue with the new Windows Update service that requires both a "Site and Content Rule" and a "Protocol Rule" in order to process an ISA server's Web Proxy request.

More information here:

http://www.electrosonics.net/technotes/xperror0x8024402C.htm 

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Other suggestions found in Newsgroup postings:

# ONE

I was received this error, and I tried all the MS KB articles, and read through every single thread in this newsgroup related to Error: 0x8024402C and was unable to fix it. If you read very carefully in Windows Update, besides the 8024402C error, there is an error that says "You didn't accept the EULA". Go back and check! I was unsure what was going on, but I never saw an EULA (End User License Agreement) Dialogue Pop-up. Until I made the
3 changes below.

This works for sure:

1) BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Agent); Automatic Updates and Cryptographic Services *MUST* be enabled (Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services). **You can turn them OFF and disable later if you so desire.

2) Go to "Tools, Interent Options, Privacy, Pop-Up Blocker, Settings...and made sure the following are added:

*.microsoft.com
*.download.microsoft.com
*.windowsupdate.com
*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
windowsupdate.microsoft.com

3) Go to TCP-IP Properties, Advanced, DNS, and made sure all defaults are chosen. (Append Primary & Suffix radio button is checked, everything else is blank) This assumes you are receiving a DHCP address. Unplug & Plug your Network cable back out & in, so it gets a new DNS suffix with the DHCP address.

No more Windows Update Errors!

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# TWO

This 0x8024402C error was driving me nuts.


One thing that was absolutely bizzarre to me, is that in the log, not only as many ppl are seeing, is there reference to an attempted connection by proxy (when ie connection settings are not set to proxy) BUT the hostname of the proxy matched the hostname that my server was set to about a month ago (not the current hostname, and there was never a proxy anyway!) This particular machine was also never previously connected to this server! My only guess is that MS is somehow and for some reason keeping some sort of dated reverse DNS log and directing windows update to use a proxy on that host.


Now for the good part (after a full day wasted.) To resolve the issue, I set ie to actually use a proxy (one of the free open ones) and put the exception list in.

Windows update then worked.

I removed the proxy settings, and it worked again.

0x8024402C problem solved. I hope. Still curious about the cause!

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# THREE

I had the same problem and found out that it was due to the Firewall feature of Norton Internet Security. Once this firewall is turned off, then it works fine. Actually having this firewall on disabled my Internet Explorer totally!!! But you can still keep the Windows firewall on (in Control Panel) and no problem.

I hope it helps you guys as it did to me,

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# FOUR

I solved the 0x8024402C error by adding a DNS server in my TCP-IP settings. I guess that most of these errors can be solved this way. Any way this should be the first and most simple thing to check.


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# FIVE

After combing the newsgroups for 2 days and trying everything mentioned but
to no avail, I decided to just HACK the damn issue myself and well I found
the fix.

If you are using w2k server and get that damn Error number: 0x8024402C when
using the new Microsoft Update do the following:

1) Navigate to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet
Settings

2) If you see a connections folder, look inside and there should be a
default key and a WinHttpSettings key.

3)Export the connections folder and delete it. (export it so you have a
backup of it)

4) You should now be able to go to Microsoft Update and scan without seeing
that damn Error number: 0x8024402C .