0x80240034 is a Windows update error that pops up when there is a failure in the installation of an update. When this happens, the update gets stuck at 1% and then after sometimes, the update procedure fails. After this, if you go to the option of “View Installed Update History”, you will then see the error 0x80240034. This error is not limited to a specific version of Windows 10. Users of various Windows 10 versions are experiencing this error. If you are one of these users, then do not worry. Here, I will be discussing different methods to fix this Windows update error.

Solutions to fix error 0x80240034 on Windows

Updating Windows is very important to keep the computer functioning smoothly. But, when this error 0x80240034 shows up, updating Windows becomes impossible. So, here are some of the methods that will help you to fix this error.

Delete Windows Distribution folder and WIndows update cache

Many users have solved this problem by deleting the Windows Update cache. The Windows Update cache will be deleted if you delete the contents of the Windows SoftwareDistribution folder. It is seen that if the update contents get corrupted, Windows is unable to delete and re-download these contents. So, these contents have to be deleted manually. Follow the steps given below for completing the process:-

  1. Open the Start menu and in the search bar, type “command prompt”. 
  2. From the search result, you have to locate “Command Prompt” and right-click on it. Then, from the context menu, you have to select the option of “Run as administrator. 
  3. Now, you have to write “net stop wuauserv” in the command prompt and hit Enter. 
  4. After that, you have to write “rmdir %windir%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q” and hit Enter. 
  5. Next, write “net start wuauserv” and then hit Enter.   

After the process is complete, try updating your WIndows and check if the error 0x80240034 has been fixed or not. 

Use ISO file to update Windows

You can also use Windows ISO to update Windows. For this, you have to create a bootable media for you WIndows 10. And, with the help of this bootable device, the Windows update has to be done. This is possible due to the Windows Update client. It is seen that when an update is downloaded from a normal Windows Update client, it generates this error. However, this error will not occur if the updates are downloaded through ISO files. 

When you will start the process, you will be given options for what you want to do with your old apps and settings. It is reported by the majority of the users that they were able to solve this problem by selecting the option of not keeping the old apps and settings. So, I would say that you too should do this. You must back up your system before moving with the solution. 

  1. Go to the official website of Microsoft and install the “create Windows 10 installation media” tool. 
  2. After that, you have to select the option of “Use the tool to create installation media”. Then, follow the on-screen instructions. 
  3. Now, you have to click on the option of “ISO file”. 
  4. When the process is complete, you will get an ISO file.
  5. After that, you have to go to Windows 10 ISO file and right-click on it. Here, you have to select the option of “Open With”. Then, you have to select the option of “File Explorer”. 
  6. Next, you have to double click on the “setup.exe” file. 

Using Windows update troubleshooter

Windows 10 has a built-in tool called the Windows Update Troubleshooter to fix any update related errors. It is capable of fixing this error as well. You can follow the steps given below to fix this error:-

  1. Open the Start menu, write “Settings” in the search bar and press Enter. 
  2. Now, go to the option of “Update & Security”. Then, go to the option of “Troubleshoot”. 
  3. Next, you have to locate the option of Windows Update” and then press the button of “Run the troubleshooter”. 
  4. After that, you have to follow the instructions on-screen.
  5. Lastly, reboot your PC. 

Now, check if the Windows10 update error 0x80240034 is fixed or not. 

Running SFC

This error can also occur because of damaged system files. So, you will be able to use SFC to solve this problem. You can follow these steps to successfully run the SFC:-

  1. In the search bar of the Start menu, write “cmd”. 
  2. Now, locate the option of “Command Prompt” from the search result and right-click on it. From the context menu, select the option of “Run as Administrator”. 
  3. After this, a new window of cmd will appear. Here, you have to write “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. 

The scanning and repairing process will take some time to finish. After that, try to perform a Windows update and check if the error 0x80240034 is solved or not. 

Running DISM

DISM can fix the system files that are corrupted and these files cannot be fixed by SFC. Here are the steps to run DISM:-

  1. Open the quick link menu by pressing the keys of X and Windows. From here, you have to run “Command Prompt (Admin)”. 
  2. After that, you have to copy the given command and paste it in the Command Prompt
    dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth 
  3. If the DISM is unable to fetch the online files, then you have to try the method of using the installation media of DVD or USB. Connect the installation media to your computer and then write the given command
    dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:/Repair/Source/Windows /LimitAccess
  4. Additionally, you must replace the original path with that of the USB or DVD. 

After this process is complete, check if you are able to do the Windows update and if the error 0x80240034 is fixed.

Reset the components of Windows Update

This is a very advanced workaround that can solve this error. Here are the steps to perform the process successfully:-

  1. Press the X and the Windows key to open the menu of Quick Link. Then, click on the option of “Command Prompt (Admin). 
  2. When the Command Prompt will open up, you have to type the given commands:
    net stop wuauserv
    net stop cryptSvc
    net stop bits
    net stop msiserver
    rmdir %windir%SoftwareDistribution /S /Q
    net start wuauserv
    net start cryptSvc
    net start bits
    net start msiserver
  3. You have to press Enter after typing each command. 

Now, check if the error 0x80240034 is solved and if you are able to update Windows again. 

Conclusion

It is very annoying when you are unable to update your Windows 10 PC. All the above-discussed solutions are effective and easy to implement and has been helpful in resolving this update error 0x80240034. So, try these solutions one by one and I am sure that one of the solutions will be able to fix this error. If these methods not working properly for your device, you can opt for Laptop Repair Services.