Error 0x80246002 – Windows Update

Error 0x80246002 occurs during the update on Windows 8 and 10 when there is a problem in the files of Windows Update. Update Error 0x80246002 is usually caused by misconfigured system files that create registry errors within your operating system. Windows errors can cause program lock-ups, slow PC performance, system crashes, computer freezing and more.

There is no single cause as to why Windows Update Error 0x80246002 occur but it seems it is caused because of Windows Defender not being able to update, Microsoft Server has large requests from users, SoftwareDistribution folder being corrupt,  etc.

You may get an error message that says:

Windows could not search for new updates.
An error ocurred while checking for new updates for your computer
Error found: Code 80246002

There were problems installing some updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contacto support information, this may help:
Error 0x80246002

Fix Error 0x80246002 – Windows Update

Fix Error Solution #1: Update Windows Defender

You can fix this issue by simply updating Windows Defender’s definitions from within Windows Defender itself. Doing so will lead to your computer not needing any definition updates for Windows Defender, and Windows Update will be able to successfully download and install all of the other updates that your computer requires

1. Open the Start Menu and Search for Windows Defender.
2. Click on the search result titled Windows Defender. This will launch the Windows Defender.
3. Note: When the program starts up, you may see that Windows Defender is turned off. If that is the case, click on the Turn on button to turn Windows Defender on. If, by any chance, you encounter an error while trying to turn Windows Defender on, simply restart your PC, launch Windows Defender as soon as it boots up and try turning it on again, and this time you should be successful.
4. Navigate to the Update Option and Update Windows Defender definitions from the Update tab within the program.
5. Once all available definitions updates have been downloaded and installed, restart your computer and get into Windows Update once it boots up, and you will see that your computer is up to date and/or you can now successfully download and install any and all available updates for your computer.

Fix Error Solution #2: Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder

1. Press Windows Key + X then select Command Prompt (Admin).
   Now type the following commands to stop Windows Update Services and then hit Enter after each one:

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

2. Next, type the following command to rename SoftwareDistribution Folder and then hit Enter:

   ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

3. Finally, type the following command to start Windows Update Services and hit Enter after each one:

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

4. Reboot your PC to save changes.
5. Press Windows Key + I then select Update & Security.
6. Next, again click Check for updates and make sure to install any pending updates.
7. After the updates are installed reboot your PC.

Fix Error Solution #3: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

1. In Windows Search bar, type “troubleshooting”and click on Troubleshooting.
2. Then, from the left window panel select View all.
3. Next, from the Troubleshoot computer problems list select Windows Update.
4. Follow on-screen instruction and let the Windows Update Troubleshoot run.
5. Restart your PC to save changes.

Fix Error Solution #4: Using DISM Tool

When you run the command mentioned above, DISM will replace potentially corrupted or missing system files with good ones. However, if your Windows Update client is already broken, you will be prompted to use a running Windows installation as the repair source or use a Windows side-by-side folder from a network share, as the source of the files.

1. Click “Start” and type “Command Prompt” in the search function. Once it appears in the search results, you should right-click it and select the option “Run as Administrator” from the context menu.
2. Now the Command Prompt window appears. Type the following and press Enter key:

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3. Let the DISM command run and wait for it to finish.
4. Now again type the following and press Enter key:

   DISM /image:C:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions

5. Reboot your PC to save changes.