Fix Windows Update Cannot Search for New Updates Error 80244008

All of sudden, all Windows desktops at work started having this issue when trying to connect to WSUS server for Windows updates. On Windows 7, it states that

Windows could not search for new updates

Errors found: Code 80244008

On Windows 10, the error message is slightly different.

There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later…(0x8024401f)

What’s the cause?

I believe it’s this Windows update (KB4025336 – 2017-07 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows Server 2012 R2 for x64-based Systems) that caused the issue. Basically, if your WSUS service is running on the default port 8530 you will likely have this issue on your network.

Solutions

Obviously, removing the troublesome KB4025336 should be able to rollback the WSUS server to the last working state.

But if that’s not the option, you can also run the following commands to reset WSUS’ IIS port.

wsusutil.exe usecustomwebsite true
wsusutil.exe usecustomwebsite false
iisreset /restart

Note that the command line wsusutil.exe is located in the following folder:

C:\Program Files\Update Services\Tools

Once IIS server restarted, try Windows Update again on a workstation. If it fails again with a different error message like below,

Windows could not search for new updates

Errors found: Code 80072EE2

Check the Group Policy setting and specify the port number in the following group setting.

Specify intranet Microsoft update service location

Now everything should be back to normal now.