Windows Update – Updates Not Installed – 0×80004002

Firstly if you have problems with Windows Update first thing to do is check your WindowsUpdate.log file. This file is found in your windows folder, usually “c:\WINDOWS”.

I keep having this happen, its a real pain in the arse! So I post this mostly for my own quick reference. This is actually to fix this and another similar problem I keep running into, I figure if you do both you don’t have to waste time looking up the error in WindowsUpdate.log.

To fix it:

1. Close Internet Explorer
2. Click [Start]
3. Click [Run]
4. Type “cmd” [Hit Enter]
5. Type “net stop wuauserv” [Hit Enter]
6. Type “rmdir /s %windir%\softwaredistribution\wuredir” [Hit Enter]
7. Type each of the following one line at a time ([Hit Enter] after each):
   • Regsvr32 msxml3.dll
   • Regsvr32 wuapi.dll
   • Regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
   • Regsvr32 wucltui.dll
   • Regsvr32 wups.dll
   • Regsvr32 wuweb.dll
   • Regsvr32 qmgr.dll
   • Regsvr32 qmgrprxy.dll
   • Regsvr32 jscript.dll
8. Type “net start wuauserv” [Hit Enter]

This advise comes with no warranty of any kind, use it at your own risk!

Alternatively paste the following in two chunks into the Command Prompt ([Right Click] and select [Paste])


net stop wuauserv
rmdir /s %windir%\softwaredistribution\wuredir

Then

Regsvr32 msxml3.dll
Regsvr32 wuapi.dll
Regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
Regsvr32 wucltui.dll
Regsvr32 wups.dll
Regsvr32 wuweb.dll
Regsvr32 qmgr.dll
Regsvr32 qmgrprxy.dll
Regsvr32 jscript.dll
net start wuauserv


Alternatively if this doesn’t work try reinstalling the update agent. This can be downloaded via Microsoft Help and Support: 949104. (Direct Link for x86)