How to fix
Windows update error 0x80240023
on Windows

Hello. I have been trying to update Windows for a few days now and I constantly get an error 0x80240023. It keeps saying that it will try again later. Is there anything I can do to resolve this?

There are thousands of Windows errors that users could come across while using the operating system - BSODs,[ref en-1] missing DLLs, DirectX errors, and much more. One of the most common issues is Windows update errors, and today, we will be talking about 0x80240023 - an error that prevents users from ensuring their system integrity and security.

Windows updates always bring something new, be it UI[ref en-3] improvements, new features, bug[ref en-2] fixes, or security patches. All of these new components are important, to some more than the others, but lacking security improvements might result in a direct cyberattack and malware infection. Thus, missing Windows updates can be extremely problematic.

Users receive the 0x80240023 error when they launch the update process - either manually or automatically. Unfortunately, the error text is relatively standard and does not provide any insights into what the problem actually is:

Error encountered

There were some problems installing updates, but we'll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x80240023)

The truth is, that the issue is commonly related to an outdated version of Microsoft Office that is no longer supported. Thus, if you are using MS Office from 2007, the error could be a result of that.

Nonetheless, users also claimed that there were different, more common reasons why they experienced the issue. For example, some people managed to fix it by remediating corrupted Windows files while others succeeded after they restarted relevant services that the update process depends on.

Before you proceed with the 0x80240023 fixes, we would recommend you try running a scan with the [d1] repair utility, as it is great for resolving most common Windows errors, including the update ones.

Option 1. Run Windows Update troubleshooter

First of all, we should start by running the built-in troubleshooter. The tool is pre-installed, so you don't need to download anything and, while it might not resolve your issue, it is a great place to start.

• Type Troubleshoot in Windows search and press Enter
• On the right side of the window, click Additional troubleshooters
• Scroll down and select Windows update
• Click Run the troubleshooter

  

• Wait till the scan finishes and then apply the suggested repairs
• Restart your machine.

Option 2. Prevent the installation of MS Office validation segment

• Download the Show or Hide Updates Troubleshooter from the Microsoft website [direct download]
• Run the wushowhide.diagcab file by double-clicking it from the download location or simply clicking on the downloaded file within the browser
• Select Advanced
• Tick the Apply updates automatically option and click Next
• Pick Hide updates option

  

• From the list, select the problematic update that you can't install due to the error (Microsoft Office File Validation Add-in) and click Next

  

• Wait until the changes are applied and click Close
• Try updating WIndows again.

Option  3. Manually install the Add-in

• Press Win + E to open File explorer
• Navigate to the following location:
  C:\\Windows\\SoftwareDistribution\\Download
• In the search box, type in OFV.CAB and hit Enter

  

• Right-click the file and select Extract here

  

• You should see the OFV.msi file, double-click to launch it
• Install the file and try relaunching the Windows update process.

Option 4. Restart relevant services

If the services that the updates rely on are not running or are bugged, the update process might not go through properly. In order to remediate this, you should access Services and restart BITS and Windows update services, or set them to automatic startup type if they are not running.

• Type in Services in Windows search and press Enter
• Locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
• If it is already running, right-click and select Restart
• if the service is not running, double-click it, select Automatic under the Startup type from the drop-down menu
• Click Start, Apply, and OK

  

• Do the same with the Windows Update service
• If these services are already running, right-click and pick Restart.

Check out our related articles:

• Windows update error 0xc1420121
• Windows update error 0x80070437
• Windows update error 0x800705B3
• Windows update error 0x80240016.