Tea 0x80240034 The error with Windows 10 is because Windows Update cannot download the various files that it requires to perform the updates that Windows requires.
The error is specifically known as “WU_E_DOWNLOAD_FAILED“error, which basically means that the system did not download the correct” Windows Update “files.
The resulting problem means that your system cannot handle the updates required to run, causing the system to display erroneous behavior.
To fix the problem, you essentially need to resolve any of the core issues that are preventing Windows Update from downloading the appropriate files; This comes in the form of having the ability to repair the likes of the Windows Update service, as well as being able to repair any of the underlying software applications that integrate with Windows.
The error message will generally display as follows:
Install failed – 0x80240034
The causes of the error are usually:
- Internet connection problems
- Microsoft Update Server Errors / Issues
- Error with the update payload itself
- Another miscellaneous bug with the update (maybe a virus / third-party software issue)
The way to fix the error is to make sure that the various files that Windows Update needs to function are working properly. This can be done by following the steps below:
1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
The first step is to run the Windows Update troubleshooter.
This is a tool included with Windows 10 (and I believe Windows 7) that allows you to clean up any of the problems Windows may have with its underlying “update” processes.
To do this, you can take the following steps:
- Press the “Windows” + “I” keys on your keyboard (load the “settings”)
- Click on “Update and Security”
- In the left panel, select “Troubleshoot”.
- From the list that appears, select “Windows Update”
- Click “Run this troubleshooter”
- Let the process run
- Once completed, restart your PC
This probably won’t fix the error, but it should solve most of the issues that are formed with the update service.
2. Run SFC + DISM
After doing the above, you must run the SFC + DISM commands.
These are small command line based applications within the Windows system, designed to give users the ability to fix most of the problems that are formed with Windows.
You can do this by following the steps outlined here:
- Press the “Windows” + “S” keys on your keyboard
- Enter “CMD”
- In the first list that is displayed, right-click and select “Run as administrator”
- In the black box that appears, type the following commands:
- “SFC / scannow” + press “Enter”
- “DISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / RestoreHealth” + press “Enter”
This will run a series of “scans” that will basically ensure that your system can run the various files / settings it requires correctly.
While this probably won’t fix the problem (although it should in about 40% of cases), it should resolve a host of underlying issues that can cause it to show up.
3. Manually restart the Windows update service
You will then need to manually restart the Windows update service.
This is a bit tricky, but it should be the biggest contributor to a solution.
Basically the way Windows Update works is with what is known as a “service”.
This is an application that runs perpetually in the background on your system and allows other processes to use it at will.
The Windows Update service is responsible for continuously downloading, resuming, and updating the various items required to perform updates in Windows.
Unfortunately, it often happens that the system will end up having problems with the service, which can be solved by restarting it manually:
- Press the “Windows” + “S” keys on your keyboard
- Type “CMD” and in the first item that appears, right click and select “Run as administrator”
- In the black box that appears, type the following commands:
- ‘net stop wuauserv’ + ‘Enter’
- ‘net stop cryptSvc’ + ‘Enter’
- ‘net stop bits’ + ‘Enter’
- ‘net stop msiserver’ + ‘Enter’
- ‘Ren C: Windows SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old’ + ‘Enter’
After doing this, you will need to restart the various services.
- ‘net start wuauserv’ + ‘Enter’
- ‘net start cryptSvc’ + ‘Enter’
- ‘net start bits’ + ‘Enter’
- ‘net start msiserver’ + ‘Enter’
Then you need to run Windows Update “Check for updates” command again.
4. Temporarily disable firewall / antivirus
Finally, one of the most common causes of the problem is a “false flag” from the likes of your antivirus or firewall application.
This happens because your system basically thinks that (for some reason) the Windows Update service is causing spotty (potentially harmful) internet connectivity and will therefore block it.
To solve this, you can take the following steps:
- If you are using a THIRD PARTY antivirus
- Right-click on the security software icon at the bottom right of the Windows taskbar
- Select the equivalent of “pause” (can be “Game mode” / “Temporarily stop”, etc.)
- Select “10 minutes” or the equivalent
- Try running Windows Update again
- If WU doesn’t work at this point, try step 3 again with your antivirus temporarily disabled
- Reboot your system after this attempt
- If you are using Windows Defender (default antivirus)
- Press the “Windows” + “I” keys on your keyboard
- Select “Update and security”
- In the menu on the left, select “Windows Security”.
- Select “Virus and threat protection” and then “Virus and threat protection settings”.
- Change “Real-time protection” to “Off”
- Try to update the system and if it doesn’t work try to run step 3 again
- After this, re-enable Windows Defender service, restart your PC
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If the above doesn’t work, you will probably have deeper problems with your system. Obviously, a generic article from the Internet is not going to solve that.
To fix this, you’d better speak to someone with specific / practical experience with your system. This can be accomplished by going to an online community (superuser, etc.) or by speaking to someone who will fix the system professionally. Fiverr has become a decent source for this type of service. In any case, the problem should be relatively easy to solve: the difference lies in trying to identify the central problem that leads you to show it.