Updating to Windows 8.1 Update fails with 0x80240031

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#987209 14-Feb-2014 12:09

I believe I did the machine keys test already, I am not getting any certificate errors in any logs. Will try again, but I expect I will probably end up having to call Microsoft Support at some stage.

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JayADee

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#987337 14-Feb-2014 15:35

Hopefully they'll be able to help!

CYaBro

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#1050789 22-May-2014 00:28

Did anyone ever come up with a solution to this problem?

We've had a heap of machines in the workshop in the last few weeks that all refuse to complete the download of Windows 8.1 in the store.
All showing the exact same error and all failing at the same point of 50% during the download, the same as the OP.

Most of these machines have been brand new out of the box, including Sony, Acer, Lenovo & Toshiba.
A mixture of laptops, desktops and all-in-ones and all different specs so don't appear to have anything in common other than none of them will get Windows 8.1 from the store.

We've tried everything we've been able to find online on this problem but nothing has worked.
This includes making sure no AV software installed, netsh command lines, taking ownership of a certain folder under the ProgramData tree, clean booting Windows, and lots of other things that I can't remember right now.
Luckily we have nice fast fibre connection so having to start the download again every time to test hasn't taken too long each time, but with all the machines we've had we've probably tried to install Windows 8.1 at least 40-50 times in the last few weeks!

One machine we did have the problem on got left running on the bench for a few hours without anyone touching it and it started the updated itself and it worked! However we've tried this again and none of the other machines have done this. :(

What the heck is going on Microsoft???

We've had to resort to wiping the brand new machines and loading Windows 8.1 from scratch but this is a lot of extra work that shouldn't be necessary.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

TwoSeven

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#1051040 22-May-2014 13:09

I did get the problem resolved, it basically started working the day before the last windows update came out - I left it for quite a few days. It was annoying because it kept trying to download the update and failing - being the update is quite large I was concerned with my data cap being used up.

I think someone mentioned that the solution is to call up support and get some kind of counter reset (install count or something) - or probably just mention the error.

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CYaBro

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#1051051 22-May-2014 13:30

TwoSeven: I did get the problem resolved, it basically started working the day before the last windows update came out - I left it for quite a few days. It was annoying because it kept trying to download the update and failing - being the update is quite large I was concerned with my data cap being used up.

I think someone mentioned that the solution is to call up support and get some kind of counter reset (install count or something) - or probably just mention the error.

What? So you're saying Microsoft are counting how many times an 8.1 update is being done from our IP address or something?
And there is a limit on this?

Edit: Busy trying to talk to Microsoft Support and they don't know anything about a counter reset or anything like that. They've also cut me off a couple of times so probably got them stumped too!
A technician is remotely connected to one of the machines right now but they are just doing the same things I've already tried and of course they aren't working. :)

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TwoSeven

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#1051310 22-May-2014 19:47

CYaBro:
TwoSeven: I did get the problem resolved, it basically started working the day before the last windows update came out - I left it for quite a few days. It was annoying because it kept trying to download the update and failing - being the update is quite large I was concerned with my data cap being used up.

I think someone mentioned that the solution is to call up support and get some kind of counter reset (install count or something) - or probably just mention the error.

What? So you're saying Microsoft are counting how many times an 8.1 update is being done from our IP address or something?

If there is a limit it would be on the licence key not the IP address (which wouldn't be relevant to anything). However, I find it interesting that it is a very common problem when trying to update to Windows 8.1 and the Microsoft Techs don't seem to know about it. First thing I would do is ask them to look the issue up on whatever internal defect system they are using. An error code that occurs at the same point during an install script executing would indicate to me that there is an issue with the install script and/or the target environment.

One thing I have noticed the last time I contacted MS Support is the first thing the techs try and do is login to the system and try and repro the defect. I found this rather interesting last time as it was an issue with their online software.

It seems odd that this update cant be downloaded as a separate ISO.

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nathan

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#1051313 22-May-2014 19:51

TwoSeven:
CYaBro:
TwoSeven: I did get the problem resolved, it basically started working the day before the last windows update came out - I left it for quite a few days. It was annoying because it kept trying to download the update and failing - being the update is quite large I was concerned with my data cap being used up. I think someone mentioned that the solution is to call up support and get some kind of counter reset (install count or something) - or probably just mention the error.
What? So you're saying Microsoft are counting how many times an 8.1 update is being done from our IP address or something?

If there is a limit it would be on the licence key not the IP address (which wouldn't be relevant to anything). However, I find it interesting that it is a very common problem when trying to update to Windows 8.1 and the Microsoft Techs don't seem to know about it. First thing I would do is ask them to look the issue up on whatever internal defect system they are using. An error code that occurs at the same point during an install script executing would indicate to me that there is an issue with the install script and/or the target environment. One thing I have noticed the last time I contacted MS Support is the first thing the techs try and do is login to the system and try and repro the defect. I found this rather interesting last time as it was an issue with their online software.

It seems odd that this update cant be downloaded as a separate ISO.

Volume License versions like Enterprise and Pro can be upgraded outside of the Store from an ISO

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CYaBro

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#1051337 22-May-2014 20:14

Well after being remotely connected to the one machine for over almost 2 hours and not getting anywhere, as I knew they wouldn't, they've escalated it and someone is supposed to be calling me back tomorrow.

Most of these machines we are having the issue with are brand new out of the box and have never had 8.1 on them so if there is a counter then it must be broken.

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CYaBro

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#1051684 23-May-2014 13:36

So the escalation tech also couldn't get it working through the store so he downloaded a Windows 8.1 upgrade setup file from somewhere (didn't see where sorry as I was busy) which basically went through the same sort of setup that Windows 8 originally did when it was first released. Those that purchased the cheap upgrade will know what I'm talking about.
It runs through a setup then downloads the files and then asks if you want to install straight away or create a USB stick or ISO file.
We created the ISO for using later and also a USB flash disk copy.
Then the install ran through fine and this particular machine is running 8.1!

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surfisup1000

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#1051686 23-May-2014 13:40

I'm using windows 8 more and more .

Still liked windows 7 better.

Windows 8 is a bit slower to use from a productivity viewpoint. Yep, theres a few annoying bugs too, and previously useful things became 'hidden'. Try to make a system image for example.

TwoSeven

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#1051694 23-May-2014 13:47

CYaBro: So the escalation tech also couldn't get it working through the store so he downloaded a Windows 8.1 upgrade setup file from somewhere (didn't see where sorry as I was busy) which basically went through the same sort of setup that Windows 8 originally did when it was first released. Those that purchased the cheap upgrade will know what I'm talking about.
It runs through a setup then downloads the files and then asks if you want to install straight away or create a USB stick or ISO file.
We created the ISO for using later and also a USB flash disk copy.
Then the install ran through fine and this particular machine is running 8.1!

The instructions for what they did I think are on the net, using the win 8.1 setup file (there is a link to it) to get the files downloaded. In my case it would not let me download the image to create the ISO.

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MadEngineer

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#1052637 25-May-2014 08:42

I had the same outcome with a failed 8.1 update. The update was successful but there were a bunch of issues with a few services. Escalated Microsoft support just downloaded 8.1 and did a fresh install over the top (it puts your old data into a new folder - lucky I only use a third of my c:\).

Windows upgrades have never really been perfect IMHO - always do a fresh install. 8.1 is an upgrade, not just another service pack or update.

Oh, and pro-tip for when resorting to using Microsoft support: ensure you run a couple of different antivirus scans else as soon as they find even a PUP (in my case, their software decided a legit port scanner installer was infected) as it will hold up the first level support delaying them from escalating. They were very pushy with buying their 3rd party antivirus software and they put down their own AV software which I had installed. The ticket was put on hold until I installed my own copy of ESET.

Support for windows update issues is free. They'll tell you there might be a cost as part of their script when they start the chat but just agree that you're happy with that (they ask to confirm) and let them progress.

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zebis

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#1062854 10-Jun-2014 20:36

Interesting reading,

Just visited a user tonight that runs her business from home, its on Windows 8 and also wont upgrade to Windows 8.1, gets to half way and the same error code 0x80240031.
This was a clean install OEM build machine with Windows 8 in Jan/Feb.

Really disappointed that a home/business user couldn't upgrade to 8.1

I assume there isn't any conclusive repair methods? Wipe and reinstall?

Matt

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#1063109 11-Jun-2014 07:11

Install 8.1 in place and fresh as per my last post.

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DjShadow

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#1069708 20-Jun-2014 08:07

I'm trying this upgrade (8 to 8.1) and getting this error also, have attempted pretty much everything noted in this thread (winsock reset, wsreset, sfc /scannow, etc) and also tried making sure my drivers are up to date and just hitting a dead end at every turn.
Kind of glad I'm on an unlimited plan as each attempt is about 3.2 gig

I can't find anything of real use when looking at the Microsoft site. Has anyone got any ideas on other stuff to try or am I best to call Microsoft and let them have a try?

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