Windows Update Error 0x80246007 — Fix Guide

What Does This Error Mean?

Windows Update error 0x80246007 means the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) failed to download an update. BITS is the download manager Windows uses for updates. When BITS stops working correctly, updates cannot be downloaded.

Affected Models

Windows 10
Windows 11
Windows 8.1

Common Causes

The BITS service is stopped, disabled, or has crashed
The BITS queue is corrupted or has stuck download jobs that are blocking new downloads
A firewall or security software is blocking BITS from connecting to Microsoft servers
Windows Update and BITS services are out of sync with each other
Insufficient disk space for the BITS download queue

How to Fix It

Restart the BITS service. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type: 'net stop bits' then 'net start bits'. Then try Windows Update again.

BITS sometimes gets stuck. Simply restarting it clears most common failures. Always try this first.
Clear all stuck BITS jobs. In Command Prompt (Administrator) type: bitsadmin /reset /allusers — this cancels all queued BITS jobs and lets Windows Update start fresh downloads.

A stuck or corrupted BITS job can block all new downloads. Resetting the queue is safe and does not affect already-installed updates.
Make sure the BITS service is set to start automatically. Search 'Services' in the Start menu, find 'Background Intelligent Transfer Service', right-click it, choose Properties, and set Startup Type to 'Automatic (Delayed Start)'.

If BITS is set to 'Disabled', Windows Update cannot download anything. Change it to Automatic and click Start to run it immediately.
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run. It checks the BITS service as part of its diagnosis.

The troubleshooter automatically restarts stuck services including BITS. It takes about 2 minutes to run.
Re-register BITS and Windows Update DLL files. In Command Prompt (Administrator) type: regsvr32 qmgr.dll then regsvr32 qmgrprxy.dll. Restart your PC after.

These DLL files are core parts of the BITS download system. Re-registering them refreshes the download manager and often fixes persistent BITS errors.

When to Call a Professional

If BITS cannot be fixed through the steps below, a technician can re-register all Windows Update DLL files. This is a more advanced fix that resets the entire Windows Update stack. It is very effective but involves running a long series of commands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BITS and why does Windows use it?

BITS stands for Background Intelligent Transfer Service. It is a download manager built into Windows. BITS downloads update files in the background using spare bandwidth, so it does not slow down your browsing. It also automatically resumes downloads if your internet drops. When BITS breaks, Windows Update cannot download anything.

Can malware disable BITS?

Yes — some malware deliberately disables BITS to prevent Windows from updating. Updates often include security patches that would remove the malware. If BITS keeps getting disabled on its own, run a full malware scan using Windows Defender or Malwarebytes.

Is it safe to cancel all BITS jobs?

Yes. Running bitsadmin /reset /allusers cancels any queued or stuck download jobs. Windows Update will simply start fresh downloads the next time it runs. No installed updates or personal files are affected.