Have you recently updated your Windows 7 OS and are facing the 80240016 error code? Do not worry this is a fairly common issue which has easy solutions available. First, you have to identify the source of the problem that is causing the Windows update error 80240016. 

Source of the Error Code 80240016

There can be different issues present behind this error code. Issues such as :

1. Corrupted Windows system files
2. Unfinished installation of files and applications
3. Incomplete uninstallation of hardware and applications
4. If the system is recovering from a virus attack
5. Improper shutdown
6. If another installation is in progress
7. Temporary file location contains malware
8. Network issues

This is a detailed list of causes that can be responsible for the  Windows update error 80240016. 

There are a few sure and applied methods available using which you can try to resolve this issue

Methods for Resolving the Windows 7 Error Code 80240016

Several methods are thoroughly described below. These solutions are more than easy and anyone can follow them to eliminate technical glitches. Therefore, go through every step carefully to solve the issue.

1. Restarting the Windows Update Services

Many people reported that this method helped them to solve the update error for their Windows 7 Operating system. A word of caution, before beginning the process of resetting your Windows update services, shut down any programs that are running. You should also keep a back up your registry, in case if anything goes missing. First, you have to shut down the Windows updating services. 

• Open the Start menu and type ‘service.msc’ in the search box.
• A window will open. You can see all the Windows services on the system listed in this window. 
• After locating it right-click on it, from the Menu select Stop.

This will stop the Windows update services. Now, you need to clean the Windows update temporary cache folder. You can do that by:

• Press the Windows and R keys at the same time.
• When a window appears type in ‘%windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore’ command and press OK.
• The Windows Explorer will open up. Delete every file from this folder.

After cleaning up the cache you will have to restart the Windows Update service again and for that:

• Again open up the Windows services as previously mentioned.
• Find Windows Update.
• Now, right-click on the Windows Update Option and select Start from the menu.

After going through the full process, you will successfully restart the Windows Update Services on the system. 

2. Check the System Files for Error

You can check the system files for any error by:

• Click the Start button and in the search box type ‘command’ or ‘cmd’. This will open the Command Prompt.
• Now, right-click on the Command Prompt and from the drop-down menu select ‘Run as administrator’.
• Enter the admin password if asked and click OK. A new window will open where you can type in commands.
• In the window type in the following command: ‘sfc/scannow’ and press Enter after typing the command. 
• Now, the system files will look for errors. The scanning process takes a bit of time. Once it finds any issues with the Operating System files, it will automatically fix it.

3. Updating Windows Drivers

Updating the outdated Windows system drivers can solve the Windows update error 80240016. Either windows will automatically update its drivers or you can do it manually by going to Microsoft’s official website and downloading the drivers suitable for the system hardware.

To update the driver manually go through the following steps:

• Go to the Start button and right-click on the Computer option.
• From the drop-down menu select Manage, the Device Manager will open.
• From the left pane select Device Manager.
• After this select the hardware whose driver you want to update.
• Now, right-click on the hardware name and select “Update Driver Software”.
• Then, click ‘Browse my computer for driver software’.
• Now, click on the Browse option and you will find where the driver file is located.
• Finally, click next to install the driver.

After the updating process is finished restart the system.

4. Temporarily Disable The Firewall

Disabling the Windows firewall for a short period of time can solve the  Windows update error 80240016 issue. To do this:

• Click and open the Start menu. Open the Control Panel.
• In the Control Panel, choose the “System and Security” option. Next, choose the Windows Firewall Option
• Now, look at the left of your screen. You will see an option saying ‘Turn Windows Firewall on or off’.
• Select ‘Turn off Windows Firewall’ and click ‘Ok’ to save the changes.

It is not recommended to turn off the firewall. Therefore, do it temporarily to see whether the issue has been resolved.

5. Clean the Windows Update Download Path

This is another possible way to solve the issue. To initiate this process:

• Press the Windows+R keys simultaneously.
• A window will appear for you to type in commands.
• Type ‘regedit’ in the window and click enter.
• Look at the left side of the window and navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate”.
• After finding it, locate WUServer and WIStatusServer. You will find it on the right side of the screen.
• Delete both of them and restart the system.

This is how you clean the Windows Update download path. But, if you can not find the WUServe and WIStatusServer option then you will not be able to clean the download path.

All of these methods are a bit tricky so be cautious while performing them. Hopefully, this article will help you to solve the Windows update error 80240016 issue.