The 0x8024800a error is related to Windows Update and can prevent updates from installing on your system. This error usually occurs when the system fails to recognize the update handler due to various reasons, such as problems with Windows Update components, inconsistencies in the Windows Registry, corrupted or missing update files, etc. There are a few ways by which you can sort out this issue.

Fix 1: Run the Windows update troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can help diagnose problems with Windows Update and fix them. You can try running it to get rid of the 0x8024800a error.

  1. Open the Settings app using the Win + I shortcut or from the Start button and click on 'System' on the left.
  1. Scroll down and click on 'Troubleshoot' on the System page.
  1. Click on 'Other troubleshooters' on the next page.
  1. Then click the 'Run' button on the right of Windows Update to launch the troubleshooter.
  1. When the Windows Update troubleshooter launches, click the 'Next' button.
  1. Wait for the troubleshooter to diagnose the system and follow the recommendations, if any, before retrying to update Windows.

Fix 2: Reset Catroot2 or SystemDistribution folders

Windows stores its update files in the Catroot2 or SystemDistribution folder on your PC. If these folders get corrupted, you may run into the 0x8024800a error. Resetting these folders might help fix the issue.

  1. Open the Windows Terminal as an administrator by right-clicking on the Start button or using the Win + X shortcut and then selecting 'Terminal (Admin)' from the menu.
  1. When the Terminal opens, type the following commands in it one by one, pressing Enter after each one.
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver
  • ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
  • ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start cryptSvc
  • net start bits
  • net start msiserver
  1. After typing in the commands, reboot your PC and run Windows Update again.

Fix 3. Run the Windows Installer Service manually

If the Windows Installer Service isn't running automatically, it can cause issues when you're trying to update Windows. You can fix this by manually starting the service.

  1. Open the Start menu, type services.msc and hit Enter.
  1. When the Services utility opens, scroll down to the Windows Installer service, right-click on it, and select 'Start'.
  1. If the service is already running, right-click and stop it before starting it again. Then run Windows Update again.

Fix 4: Clean Windows Update cache

If the Windows Update cache on your system is corrupted, you may run into problems when updating your PC, such as the 0x8024800a error. Cleaning the update cache is another fix you can try to get rid of the problem.

  1. Open the Services utility from the Start menu as explained previously.
  2. Scroll down to the Windows Update service, right-click, and select 'Stop'.
  1. Now, use the Win + R shortcut to open the 'Run' dialog and type C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution inside it before pressing Enter.
  1. When the SoftwareDistribution folder opens, select all its contents using the Ctrl + A shortcut and delete them.
  1. Go back to the Services utility, right-click on the 'Windows Update' service, and select 'Start'.
  1. While you have the Services utility open, you should also check whether the required services are set to run automatically. Right-click on the 'Background Intelligent Transfer Service' and select 'Properties'.
  1. Click on the 'Startup type' dropdown in the dialog box that opens and select 'Automatic', if it is not already selected.
  1. If the service is not running, click the 'Start' button to start it. Repeat these steps for the 'Windows Update' service and 'Cryptographic Services'.
  1. Restart your computer and try updating Windows again.

Fix 5: Fix corrupt system files

Windows has a built-in System File Checker utility that you can use to identify and fix corrupt system files that are causing problems with Windows updates.

  1. Open the Start menu, type cmd and click on 'Run as administrator'.
  1. When the Command Prompt window opens, type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and hit Enter.
  1. Wait for the process to complete and then type sfc /scannow before pressing Enter again. Then restart your computer and try updating your PC again.

Fix 6: Perform a disk cleanup

  1. Open the Start menu, search for disk cleanup and open the utility.
  1. When Disk Cleanup opens, select the drive on which Windows is installed. It is usually the C drive.
  1. Next, click on the 'Clean up system files' button.
  1. Now, select the things you want to clean up before clicking the 'OK' button.

Fix 7: Install the update manually

If you're running into the 0x8024800a error while trying to install a particular update, consider installing the update manually.

  1. Open the Settings app and click on 'Windows Update' on the bottom left.
  1. Click on 'Update History' on the Windows Update page.
  1. Now, you will see the entire update history of your system here. Note down the KB number of the update that failed to install and resulted in the 0x8024800a error.
  1. Open your web browser and head to Microsoft's Update Catalog website. Search for the failed update using the search box on the page.
  1. Multiple versions of the update will appear in the search results. Download the one depending on your machine and then install it. If needed, restart your PC.

Fix 8: Use Windows Update to reinstall the OS

If the previous methods don't work, you may need to fix the problem by reinstalling Windows using Windows Update.

  1. Open the Settings app and click on 'System' on the left as before.
  1. Scroll down and click on 'Recovery'.
  1. Click the 'Reinstall now' button next to the 'Fix problems using Windows Update' option.
  1. Follow the steps on your screen to reinstall Windows without resetting any apps, settings, and files.
Note: If the 'Reinstall now' button is grayed out, you won't be able to reinstall Windows using Windows Update. Instead, you will have to do so by preparing a Windows USB and plugging it into your PC.

Things to know

  • Sometimes, third-party antivirus programs can interfere with Windows Update and cause problems. Consider temporarily disabling your antivirus and running Windows Update and check whether that fixes the problem.
  • When installing updates, make sure you have a stable internet connection. Problems with your network can also cause updates to fail.
  • If nothing else works, you may have to reinstall Windows using the Media Creation Tool. You will have to download it from Microsoft's website and the process can take some time, so make sure to prepare your system beforehand.