Fix Windows Update Error 0x80240031 (5 Working Methods)

Error 0x80240031 appears when Windows Update fails to install updates with the message “There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later.” Corrupted system files or graphics driver conflicts are the usual cause.

The 5 fixes below cover Windows 11 (23H2) and Windows 10 (22H2) and address the most common causes of this error in 2026.

#What Causes Error 0x80240031?

PCMag confirms that update errors like 0x80240031 trace back to 4 main causes:

• Corrupted system files that Windows Update depends on
• Graphics driver conflicts during feature updates
• Antivirus software blocking update files
• Third-party startup programs interfering with the update process

Among these four, graphics driver conflicts trigger the error most often during major Windows updates (like 22H2 to 23H2). Corrupted system files are the second most common cause.

#Fix 1: Run SFC and DISM Scans

Corrupted system files prevent Windows Update from completing installations. SFC and DISM repair these files.

Open Command Prompt as admin and run:

sfc /scannow

If SFC finds issues it can’t repair, run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

When system file corruption is the cause, SFC finds and repairs the affected files, and Windows Update then completes after a restart. Windows Report’s fix guide also recommends running SFC + DISM together to resolve system file corruption causing this error.

#Fix 2: Perform a Clean Boot

Third-party software and startup programs can interfere with Windows Update. A clean boot disables them temporarily.

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter. Go to the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” then click “Disable all.” Go to the Startup tab and click “Open Task Manager.” Disable all startup items. Restart your PC and try Windows Update again.

When SFC alone doesn’t clear the error, a clean boot often lets the update install without interference. The Windows Club’s guide also recommends clean boot to identify software conflicts blocking updates.

#Fix 3: Temporarily Disable Graphics Driver

Graphics driver conflicts are common during major Windows updates. Temporarily disabling the driver lets the update complete.

Open Device Manager (Windows + X > Device Manager). Expand “Display adapters,” right-click your graphics card, and select “Disable device.” Try Windows Update again. After the update completes, re-enable the driver.

On a PC where an NVIDIA card kept failing the Windows 11 23H2 update, disabling the graphics driver lets the update complete. Windows 10 Forums’ solution also recommends temporarily disabling the graphics driver to resolve feature update failures.

Important: Your screen resolution may change while the driver is disabled. This is normal and will revert after re-enabling the driver.

#Fix 4: Disable Antivirus Temporarily

Antivirus software sometimes blocks Windows Update files, causing 0x80240031. Temporarily disabling it tests whether this is the cause.

Right-click your antivirus icon in the system tray and select “Disable protection” or “Pause protection.” Try Windows Update again. If it works, add Windows Update to your antivirus whitelist.

AVG in particular is known to block these update files. Pausing it for the duration of the download usually lets the update complete. According to DriveTheLife’s fix guide, AVG antivirus is a common cause of this error.

Important: Re-enable your antivirus immediately after the update completes.

#Fix 5: Reset Windows Update Components

If nothing else works, resetting Windows Update components clears corrupted update files and forces Windows to re-download them.

Open Command Prompt as admin and run these commands:

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

When every other method fails, resetting the update components and restarting forces Windows to re-download and install the update cleanly. PC Risk’s troubleshooting guide also recommends resetting Windows Update components as a thorough fix, though it takes longer because Windows re-downloads all update files.

For more on Windows Update errors and activation issues, check our related guides.

If you also hit store-side failures, our Microsoft Store problems walkthrough covers component repair and cache reset.

#How Long Does It Take to Fix Error 0x80240031?

• SFC/DISM scans: 15-30 minutes
• Clean boot: 10 minutes + update time
• Disabling graphics driver: 5 minutes + update time
• Resetting update components: 5 minutes + full update re-download (30-60 minutes)

Disabling the graphics driver is the fastest fix. Resetting update components takes the longest but has the highest success rate, which is why it works well as a last resort after other methods fail.

#Preventing Error 0x80240031

Run SFC scans monthly to keep system files clean. Update your graphics drivers before major Windows updates.

Keeping system files clean and drivers current ahead of major updates is the most effective way to avoid 0x80240031 in the first place. For more on Windows 10 maintenance and system optimization, check our related guides.

#Bottom Line

Start with SFC and DISM scans to repair system files. If that doesn’t work, try a clean boot or temporarily disable your graphics driver. These three methods fix many 0x80240031 errors.

Reset Windows Update components as a last resort.

#Frequently Asked Questions