Windows updates are some of the most annoying software updates to get around. They are compulsory and forced down regularly, all in the name of security and safety. However, they quite often end up doing more harm than good, which is why people dread when Windows says "Update and Restart" and "Update and Shutdown". They are also notoriously bad at actually working, quite often failing to update, showing error messages such as 0x80240069, which we will be showing you a solution for below.
Takeaways:
- Learn how to fix Windows update error 0x80240069 on Windows 11.
- Why do Windows Updates Keep Failing to install?
Table of Contents
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Windows Update error 0x80240069 appears when updates are deployed through WSUS or SCCM. While we do suggest this method first because it is quick and easy, it doesn't generally have a good success rate and is a bit of a waste of time, but Microsoft has included it, so one should assume it works at least 1% of the time... Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky.
- Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings application.
- In the left panel, select System.
- Scroll down and click Troubleshoot.
- Choose Other troubleshooters.
- Locate Windows Update in the list and click Run.
Follow the on-screen prompts. Once the troubleshooter completes its scan, it will either fix the problem or suggest next steps. Afterwards, restart your computer and check if the update can be installed.
Clear Delivery Optimisation Files
If the troubleshooter does not fix the error (it probably won't), try clearing Delivery Optimisation files. These files are temporary cache data stored by Windows Update. Corrupted or outdated files can prevent updates from installing properly.
- Open Settings and go to System.
- Click Storage, then select Temporary Files.
- Locate the Delivery Optimisation Files and check the box.
- Click Remove files to clear them.
After removing these files, restart your system and attempt the update again.
Uninstall the Latest Windows Update
At times, the error may be caused by a previously installed update. Microsoft frequently releases updates that contain bugs, which in turn may block future updates. Rolling back to the previous version can often restore the update process.
To uninstall a Windows update:
- Open Settings and go to Windows Update.
- Select Update history.
- Scroll down and choose Uninstall updates.
- Select the most recent update and uninstall it.
Once removed, restart your computer and try installing updates again.
Install the Latest Update Manually
If uninstalling and retrying doesn't work, you can manually download the update package.
- Visit the official Microsoft Update Catalogue website.
- In the search bar, enter the update code (for example, KB followed by the number).
- Download the correct version for your system (x64 or ARM64).
- Run the installer and follow the instructions.
If you select the wrong update, Windows will simply prevent the installation, so there is no risk of damaging your system.
Why Do Windows Updates Keep Failing?
Windows updates, along with Microsoft Store updates, are the most common of all errors on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. These failures are typically linked to corrupted files, incomplete downloads, or compatibility issues between updates. In quite a lot of cases, the problem lies with Microsoft’s update itself rather than your system. Usually, the previous update breaks something that the new update needed to use.
