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Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x8024002E

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Windows Update error 0x8024002E indicates that access to an unmanaged server isn't allowed, typically because the Windows Update Client service is disabled on the server. This document provides steps to identify and resolve this issue.

Prerequisites

Ensure you have administrative access to the server to modify system settings and policies.

How to identify the issue

To identify the issue, check the CBS.log, CbsPersist_XXXXXXXXXXXXXX.log, or CbsPersist_XXXXXXXXXXXXXX.cab file for entries similar to the following:

{8F8EA247-1586-48E4-A5F6-1D19A9343341} 2024-04-17 05:14:55:630-0400 1 148 [AGENT_DETECTION_FAILED] 101 {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000} 0
8024002e
Azure VM Guest Patching Failure Software Synchronization Windows Update Client failed to detect with error 0x8024002e.
2024-04-17 08:45:10:060 1084 3a10 Agent *********** Agent: Initializing global settings cache ***********
2024-04-17 08:45:10:060 1084 3a10 Agent * Endpoint Provider: 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
2024-04-17 08:45:10:060 1084 3a10 Agent * WSUS server: <NULL>
2024-04-17 08:45:10:060 1084 3a10 Agent * WSUS status server: <NULL>
2024-04-17 08:45:10:060 1084 3a10 Agent * Target group: (Unassigned Computers)
2024-04-17 08:45:10:060 1084 3a10 Agent * Windows Update access disabled: Yes
2024-04-17 08:45:10:060 1084 97b0 WuTask WuTaskManager delay initialize completed successfully..

Root cause

The error code 0x8024002E occurs when the Windows Update Client service is disabled, preventing access to unmanaged servers. This issue is often due to a Group Policy setting that disables Windows Update access.

Resolution or troubleshooting steps

Enable the Windows Update service

  1. Open the Run dialog by pressing Win+R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. In the Services window, locate Windows Update.
  3. Right-click Windows Update and select Properties.
  4. Set the Startup type to Manual and select Start.
  5. Select OK to apply the changes.

Modify the registry key

Important

This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For protection, back up the registry before you modify it so that you can restore it if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, see How to back up and restore the registry in Windows.

  1. Open the Run dialog by pressing Win+R, type regedit, and press Enter.

  2. Navigate to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\DisableWindowsUpdateAccess.

  3. If the value is set to 1, change it to 0 to enable the service.

    Note

    We recommend managing this setting via Group Policy if possible.

Disable the Group Policy

  1. Open the Run dialog by pressing Win+R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Internet Communication Management\Internet Communication settings\.
  3. Disable the Turn off access to all Windows Update features policy.

Verify manual patching

  1. Open Control Panel and navigate to Windows Update.
  2. Try to manually patch the server through the Updates applet.
  3. If manual patching fails, collaborate with the Devices and Deployment team for further assistance.