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How to get rid of Windows Update Error 80004002?

‘It is human to err, but it is devilish to remain willfully in error’
Saint Augustine

The Windows Update error 80004002 is a persistent and distressing issue that puts your OS on the slippery slope towards instability and malfunction. The point is, running into this error code means you cannot download updates and install them on your computer. Since keeping your system up to date is an essential prerequisite for its safety, security and smooth performance, it is quite obvious that the sooner you resolve your update problems, the better.

The error 80004002 means your Windows Update is having issues. This problem can occur in many Microsoft operating systems, and our principal aim today is to deal with it in Windows 7, 8 and 10.

So, here our top 7 tips on how to fix Windows Update Error 80004002:

1. Check your system for software conflicts

To begin with, you should rule out software conflicts. The thing is, some of your apps might be on very bad terms with the Windows Update client. So, does the code 80004002 appear only when a particular piece of software starts up on your computer? Are there any programs running in the background of your system while your Windows Update is having issues? These are the questions that may help you succeed in troubleshooting your problem.

Therefore, the first the thing you should do is visit your Task Manager:

  1. Press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete shortcut -> The Windows Security screen will open
  2. Click on Task Manager -> Navigate to the Processes tab -> Disable any of the processes that you think might be the culprit

Another manipulation that is worth a try implies disabling your non-Microsoft antivirus software, as it may be behind your update issues. If it turns out to be true, contact its manufacturer and report the conflict or consider entrusting your PC’s safety to another solution.

2. Scan your PC for malware

Evil never sleeps, you know. That means some stealthy piece of malware might have sneaked into your system and caused your Windows Update to malfunction. To eliminate this kind of issue, you should run a system scan.

Here is how you can use Windows Defender for this purpose

in Windows 7:

  1. Open your Start menu -> Navigate to the Search box
  2. Type ‘Defender’ (no quotes) -> Select Windows Defender -> Scan

in Windows 8:

  1. Go to the Start menu -> Locate the Search box and type ‘Windows Defender’ (without quotes) into it
  2. Select Windows Defender from the list
  3. Go to the Update section -> Proceed to Home
  4. Now go to Scan Options -> Select Full -> Choose to scan now

in Windows 10:

  1. Click on your Start button -> Move to the Settings gear
  2. Navigate to the Update & Security section -> Select Windows Defender
  3. Open Windows Defender -> Full

Protect your PC with the built-in Windows Defender solution

Bear mind that fighting against malware takes a lot of skill and effort, so you need a reliable tool to do away with such a powerful enemy. For instance, Auslogics Anti-Malware is designed for such challenges: it will hunt down and remove even the most cunning threats, and there won’t be any confrontation or tug of war with your main antivirus product.

3. Use the Microsoft Easy Fix tools

Good old Microsoft knows that no OS is perfect, so they have developed a plenty of efficient troubleshooting tools to your advantage. Therefore, it is time for you to visit the official Microsoft Support website and figure out how to use Microsoft Easy Fix solutions in order to get rid of your update problems.

4. Troubleshoot your network

If the error 80004002 persists, this might mean you are having network issues. Fortunately, you can easily troubleshoot them, using the instructions below:

in Windows 7:

  1. Open your Start menu and go to Control Panel -> Proceed to Network and Internet
  2. Enter your Network and Sharing Center -> Select Fix a Network Problem
  3. The troubleshooting guide for the network will appear -> It will guide you through the fixing process

in Windows 8/8.1:

  1. Go to the Start menu -> Open Control Panel
  2. Proceed to Network and Internet -> Move to View network status and tasks
  3. Select Troubleshoot problems -> The Network and Internet Troubleshooter will open -> Use it to solve your problem

in Windows 10:

  1. Press the Windows logo key + S shortcut to open the Search box -> Type Network troubleshooter
  2. Select Identify and repair network problems and work your way through the troubleshooter

Troubleshoot your network to get rid of Windows Update Error 80004002

5. Rename SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 Folders

Reportedly, this manoeuvre has helped many users to get rid of the annoying Windows Update error 80004002. So, why not give it a try?

Here is what you should do:

  1. Press the Windows logo key + R shortcut and type cmd into Run -> Press Enter
  2. Select Command Prompt and right-click on it -> Select Run as admin
  3. Carefully type the commands below and make sure to hit Enter after each:
    Net stop wuauserv
    Net stop cryptSvc
    Net stop bits
    Net stop msiserver
    Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
  4. Close your Command Prompt and restart your PC
  5. Try to use Windows Update to see if the issue has been fixed

6. Reset your Windows Update components

No success so far? Then faulty Windows Update components might be at play. Try resetting them manually to make the notorious error code 80004002 disappear:

  1. Open your Command Prompt (use the instructions above) and input the following commands (remember to press Enter after each of them):
    net stop bits
    net stop wuauserv
    net stop appidsvc
    net stop cryptsvc
    Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat”
    cd /d %windir%\system32
    regsvr32.exe atl.dll
    regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
    regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
    regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
    regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
    regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
    regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
    regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
    regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
    regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
    regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
    regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
    regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
    regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
    regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
    regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
    regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
    regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
    regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
    regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
    regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
    regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
    regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
    regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
    regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
    regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
    regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
    regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
    regsvr32.exe wups.dll
    regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
    regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
    regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
    regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
    regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
    regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
    regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll
    netsh winsock reset
    netsh winhttp reset proxy
    net start bits
    net start wuauserv
    net start appidsvc
    net start cryptsvc
  2. Then visit the official Microsoft website and download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from there Install it on your computer and then restart your machine. No update issues are going to disturb you now.

7. Check your system registry

If all the methods above have been to no avail, your Windows Registry might be damaged or corrupt and therefore need repairing. We warn you against modifying it by yourself, as the process is extremely risky. In fact, you can easily damage your system beyond repair. That is why we recommend using 100 % free Auslogics Registry Cleaner to fix registry issues – this tool can do the job in no time without compromising your OS.

It is safer to use a reliable tool to clean your registry

We hope our guide has helped you in eliminating Windows Update Error 80004002.

Do you have any ideas or questions regarding this issue?

Your comments are greatly appreciated!