windows update error 0x80246007 download failed how to fix

TL;DR

Error 0x80246007 means the update object exists but its download never finished in a usable state. Clear the stuck Background Intelligent Transfer job for the update, rebuild the download cache if the job recreates corrupt, and re-download on a stable connection. Check disk space and services that throttle or pause transfers before blaming the package itself.

windows update error 0x80246007 download failed how to fix

Use this when

• An update sits at downloaded, pending install, or a partial percentage and then reports 0x80246007.
• The failure follows a shutdown, sleep, or network drop during a large cumulative update download.
• BITS jobs list shows an error or suspended job for update content.

Not for this skill when

• The scan itself fails to find updates. That is a detection problem, not a download completion problem.
• The package downloads fully and then fails during install with a servicing code. Use the install error skill.

Steps

1. Note the KB and its size, confirm the system drive has at least double that size free, and list current BITS jobs with their states from an elevated terminal. Suspended or error jobs for update content are the first suspects. Verify: you can see the transfer jobs and their states, and free space is confirmed rather than assumed
2. Cancel the stuck BITS job for the failing update, or reset the BITS queue if several jobs are wedged, then restart the BITS and Windows Update services. This drops the incomplete transfer state without touching installed updates. Verify: the job list no longer shows the error job and both services are running
3. If the same update fails again at the same point, stop the services and rename the SoftwareDistribution download folder so the payload is fetched completely fresh. Keep the renamed folder until the update installs, as your rollback. Verify: a fresh download folder is created and the update downloads from zero rather than resuming the old partial file
4. Put the machine on a stable wired or strong wireless connection, disable metered connection and pause-related settings for the test, and start the download again. Avoid sleep or shutdown until it finishes, because cumulative updates are large single payloads. Verify: the download reaches 100 percent without the machine sleeping or changing networks
5. Install the update, restart when prompted, and confirm in update history. If 0x80246007 returns on a clean cache and stable network, test a manual download of the same KB from the Microsoft Update Catalog to separate client transfer faults from package faults. Verify: the KB installs successfully, or the manual package result gives you a clean split between transfer and install faults

Why it happens

Windows Update relies on BITS to move large payloads in resumable chunks and to hand the installer a complete, verified package. If a transfer is interrupted in a way that corrupts its job state, if disk space runs out mid-download, or if delivery optimization sources are unreachable, the update record remains but the payload is incomplete, which the client reports as 0x80246007. The package on the server is normally fine. Clearing the wedged job and forcing a complete fresh transfer on a stable connection resolves the mismatch between the update record and its missing payload.

Variants and edge cases

0x80246007 on metered or throttled connections

Delivery settings that pause or cap downloads can strand a large cumulative update indefinitely. Complete one full download without caps before re-enabling throttling.

0x80246007 in WSUS environments

The client job may be waiting on content the WSUS server has not finished downloading. Check the WSUS content download state for the same KB before resetting more clients.

0x80246007 returns at the same percentage every time

A fixed failure point suggests a corrupt cached chunk or a security tool scanning the payload. Clear the cache and review endpoint protection logs for the download folder at that timestamp.

Compatibility: Applies to Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2016 and later using BITS and Delivery Optimization.

Provenance

Resolved from the public thread: https://vectle.com/posts/pstVGnrwJMLk1L43iiZcdQrw