0x80042001 Windows Update Error: Fix It With These 5 Solutions

You might have experienced the annoying Windows 0x80042001 update error when attempting to update your system. This error indicates that the system failed to download and install crucial Windows updates, frequently due to issues with corrupt or missing files.

Fortunately, this error can be fixed in several ways, and applying them doesn’t require any technical expertise.

We’ll talk about the root causes of Windows update error 0x80042001 and offer some potential fixes to help you get your operating system up and running. So continue reading if you need assistance with this issue.

What is the 0x80042001 Windows Update Error?

The 0x80042001 update error is an error that displays on your screen whenever you try to install updates on your operating system. This error code indicates that the update installation could not be completed because of a problem with the Windows update service.

Many factors behind this problem include:

• Bad or damaged system files – You will get this error if your computer system file is corrupt or damaged.
• Outdated system files – If your system files are outdated or incompatible with your device, you will also have this problem.
• Problem with Windows update service – This error can occur if your Windows update service malfunctions.
• Incorrect system settings – If some settings in your system (like Time and Date) are not configured correctly, you will likely get this error message displayed.
• Conflicting software – Some software, like anti-virus, might interfere with the smooth running of system updates, leading to this error.

Having this in mind, let’s look at how to solve this problem with the solutions below.

What do I do if I get the 0x80042001 update error?

We recommend attempting these two workarounds before moving on to the primary solutions:

• Restart your device – A restart can help terminate some of the problematic issues affecting your PC, and this can potentially fix the error.
• Turn off anti-virus – Turning off your anti-virus while running the update process can also help to solve this issue.

If the error persists after the above steps, try our more comprehensive solutions below.

1. Use the SFC and DISM scan

1.1 Run SFC scan

1. Hold the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialogue box, type cmd in the text field, then hold Ctrl + Shift and hit Enter to open the command prompt with administrative privileges.
   
2. Type or paste the code below in the command prompt and hit Enter.
   sfc /scannow
   
3. Allow the process to complete scanning, follow any on-screen instructions to repair any corrupt file, and check if the 0x80042001 update error has been fixed.

1.2 Run DISM scan

1. If the error persists after running the SFC scan, open the command again using the steps above, type in the command below, and hit Enter.
   Dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /scanhealthDism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
   
2. Finally, check to see if this step has fixed the 0x80042001 error.

2. Verify Date and Time settings

1. Hold the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open the Settings menu.
2. In your Settings menu, click the Time & language option, navigate to the Date & Time section, click the toggle next to the Set time automatically option, and finally, click the Sync now button below.
   
3. After making these changes, check to see if the 0x80042001 problem persists.

3. Run the update troubleshooter

1. Press the Windows + I keys together to launch the Settings app.
2. Select the Troubleshoot option on the right.
   
3. Choose Other troubleshooters.
   
4. Click the Run button for the Windows Update option and follow the on-screen instruction to complete the process.
   
5. Once complete, verify if the Windows update error with code 0x80042001 has been resolved.

4. Reset Windows Update components

1. Hold the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialogue box, type cmd in the text field, then hold Ctrl + Shift and hit Enter to open the command prompt in administrator mode.
   
2. Input the scripts below in the command prompt and hit Enter after each one.
   net start wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
   
3. Enter the following scripts and press Enter to rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders.
   ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
   
4. To restart any stopped services, run the scripts below.
   net start wauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
   
5. Restart your PC and check if the 0x80042001 error has been fixed.

5. Carry out a clean boot

1. In your search bar, type msconfig and pick System Configuration.
   
2. Navigate to the Services tab, click on Hide all Microsoft services, and hit the Disable all button.
   
3. Next, hold the Windows + X keys simultaneously, and select Task Manager.
   
4. Navigate to the Startup tab and disable all the apps in this section.
   
5. Return to the Startup tab in System Configuration and hit OK.
6. After completing this process, reboot your computer. This should restart your system in a clean boot environment.
7. Finally, check whether the 0x80042001 Windows update error has been fixed.

In conclusion, trying out the fixes in this article will help you overcome the 0x80042001 error and get your system up and running quickly.

The solutions in this article have not been written in any particular order, so try as many solutions as possible until you find one that works best for you.