Solutions to fix Windows 10/11 Update Error Code 0x80240438

Error code 0x80240438 is a Windows 10/11 Update error that usually indicates an issue with the Windows 10 Update service or its components in windows 10 and windows 11 operating system. This windows 10 error 0x8024038 can occur for a variety of reasons, including corrupted system files, conflicts with other software, or issues with the network connection.

Here are some potential solutions to resolve error code 0x80240438:

Restart Windows Update components: Sometimes, restarting the Windows 10/11 Update components can resolve this error 0x8024038.

Follow the given commands and open  windows command prompt 

• net stop wuauserv
• net stop cryptSvc
• net stop bits
• net stop msiserver

Run C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

Run C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

• net start wuauserv
• net start cryptSvc
• net start bits
• net start msiserver

Check your web connection:

 Make certain your net connection is secure and working properly. Check your network settings and try to download a small file from the internet to see if the connection is working.

Disable your antivirus software: Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with the Windows 10 Update service. 

How to temporarily Disable Antivirus :

1. Open Antivirus Application (McAfee or Norton or AVG) mounted on the computer.
2. Click on settings and go to actual time protection
3. Select Turn Off actual time protection
4. Navigate to the Antivirus firewall and choose Turn off Antivirus Firewall.

 How to disable windows defender

1. Open Windows Security
2. Open Virus & risk in windows secure window
3. click on to Manage settings, under the Virus & threat protection
4. Switch Real-time safety to Off

Run the Windows 10/11 Update troubleshooter to fix Error Code 0x80240438 :

The Windows 10 Update troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 11 update error 0x8024038 that can help diagnose and resolve update-related issues.

1.  To run the troubleshooter 
2. Go to Settings  and  windows 10 /11 Update & Security  go to  Troubleshoot and then Additional troubleshooters .
3. Windows 10 Update.

Clear Windows 10 /11 Update Cache 

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
2. Type services.msc to open Windows Services.
3. In the listing of services, appear for Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Right-click on it and choose Stop.
4. Right-click on Windows Update carrier in the listing and select the choice Stop.
5. Open the File Explorer and use the Window and E keys.
6. Copy and paste the course path and follow  in the navigation bar.
7. Select all (Ctrl + A) the documents and folders in this area and the Delete (trash) icon at the top to get rid of all the archives files and folders in this folder.
8. Go back to Windows Services as in Steps 1 and two above.
9. Right-click on the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and click on Start to allow this service.
10. Right-click on Windows Update error 0x8024038 Service and allow it with the aid of choosing Start in the context menu.

Reset Windows 10 Update components

If none of the above solutions work, you can try resetting the Windows 10 Update components.

Follow the given Commands :

1. net stop bits
2. net stop wuauserv
3. net stop appidsvc
4. net stop cryptsvc

Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\.”

Rmdir /s /q “%SystemDrive%\Windows\SoftwareDistribution”

Rmdir /s /q “%SystemDrive%\Windows\System32\catroot2”

• sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
• sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
• sc.exe sdset appidsvc D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
• sc.exe sdset cryptsvc D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
• net start bits
• net start wuauserv
• net start appidsvc
• net start cryptsvc

 Conclusion:

If you have problem in doing this method, we recommend you to chat with our experts. I am sure they will guide you and help resolve this issue.

Our tech experts will diagnose the issue for free of cost, incase if you want our techs to work and fix the issue there will be minimal charges applicable.

More details for this method at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows