How to Fix Fix Error 0x80244018 — Windows Update HTTP 403 Forbidden on Windows
Getting error 0x80244018 when checking for Windows Updates? Update server returned HTTP 403 forbidden? Proxy or firewall blocking updates? Fix this Windows Update connection error.
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Main Troubleshooting Guide
How to Fix Windows Update Errors →Complete symptoms, causes, and step-by-step solutions
Symptoms
You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:
- •Windows Update fails with 0x80244018 when checking for updates
- •"There were some problems installing updates" with this code
- •Feature updates download but then fail with 403 error
- •Windows Update worked before but now consistently fails
- •Error appears after connecting to corporate network or VPN
- •Microsoft Store also fails to download apps
Common Causes
- ⚠Proxy server blocking Windows Update traffic
- ⚠Corporate firewall filtering update requests
- ⚠VPN routing update traffic through restricted gateway
- ⚠Windows Update service configured with wrong proxy settings
- ⚠Third-party security software intercepting HTTPS traffic
- ⚠Metered connection settings limiting update downloads
Solutions
Solution 1: Fix Proxy and Network Settings
- 1Check proxy settings:
- 2Settings → Network & internet → Proxy
- 3If "Use a proxy server" is ON: this may be blocking updates
- 4Try turning OFF the proxy → retry Windows Update
- 5Clear system proxy for Windows Update specifically:
- 6CMD as Admin:
- 7netsh winhttp reset proxy
- 8Also: netsh winhttp show proxy (verify it's "Direct access")
- 9If on corporate network: contact IT — firewall may block updates
Solution 2: Fix VPN and Security Software
- 1Disconnect VPN → retry Windows Update
- 2If updates work without VPN: VPN is routing update traffic incorrectly
- 3Configure VPN split tunneling to exclude Microsoft update servers
- 4Temporarily disable third-party antivirus/firewall
- 5Some security suites have HTTPS inspection that blocks updates
- 6Windows Security → Firewall → allow Windows Update through
- 7Check metered connection:
- 8Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi/Ethernet → Properties
- 9Turn OFF "Metered connection" if it's on
Solution 3: Reset Windows Update Client
- 1CMD as Admin:
- 2net stop wuauserv
- 3net stop bits
- 4net stop cryptSvc
- 5del /f /q C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\*
- 6ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DataStore.old
- 7net start wuauserv
- 8net start bits
- 9net start cryptSvc
- 10Also try Windows Update troubleshooter:
- 11Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
- 12Run "Windows Update" troubleshooter
- 13Restart PC → retry
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