Unable to run Windows Update (WU). Error Number 0x80070424

Suggest that you  first  rule out malware as the cause of the issue by doing the following:

1) Have your system scanned by the installed antivirus/security suite.


2) Run this tool from Kaspersky: How to remove malware belonging to the family Rootkit.Win32.TDSS

<http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684>


3) Download, install, update, and run full scans with both of these free anti-malware tools:

MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM)

<<http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free>>

SUPERAntiSpyware (SAS)

<<http://superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html>>

4) Run the Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker (Sfc.exe) Tool:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747>

`~`

If no malware was detected,  there is a Fix it on this page that will reset Windows Update components:

How do I reset Windows Update components <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058>

Suggest you download and save it. Then close all open programs and web browsers.
Run Microsoft Fix it 50202.msi and choose it's Default mode.
After it's finished running, see if the return code appears again when you check for updates.

If not, then run the Fix it once more and choose it's Aggressive mode.
Restart once it's finished running and see if the return code still appears when checking for updates.

IF malware was detected, then please post if it was removed and the specific name of what was detected.

Please let us know if this did or didn't help to resolve your problem.

`~`

A KB has been created for the 0x80070424 error code that appears when installing Microsoft Windows Updates/Microsoft Update. The KB includes an automated Microsoft Fix it 50686 that corrects the issue. Look at the following KB: <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968002>

Suggest you download and save the Fix it.

Then close all open programs and browsers prior to running MS Fix it 50686 .msi.

Make sure  "all"  non-essential devices are unpluggəd. ( USB keys or any external media as this takes place.).

Please let us know if this did or didn't help to resolve your problem.

UTC/GMT is 22:01 on Monday, October 31, 2011