- Software and digital services
- Operating system
0x8024002C
Microsoft Windows Update 0x8024002C: missing delta source
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
Error 0x8024002C (WU_E_BIN_SOURCE_ABSENT) means a delta-compressed update could not be installed because it required the source. Record the KB number in Update history, run the Windows Update troubleshooter, restart if pending updates exist, and check whether HTTP range requests are blocked.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Never use a DISM /Source repair folder from a different Windows operating system version or download unofficial delta packs from third-party websites; Microsoft requires the repair source to match the exact operating system version.
- Before clearing C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution or running DISM repairs for 0x8024002C, back up your personal files to an external USB drive or OneDrive as instructed by Microsoft, and do not attempt administrator service changes on a work PC without IT approval.
Safe checks you can perform
- Record the failing KB and run the Windows Update troubleshooter
- Verify automatic date and time settings, run Check for updates, and complete any pending restart
- Inspect WindowsUpdate.log and CBS.log for CMPRESS, HANDLER, and delta hydration lines
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Repair the component store with DISM /RestoreHealth and permit HTTP RANGE requests on proxies
- Do not attempt this professional task: Clear C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution with the Windows Update service stopped
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Repair the component store with DISM /RestoreHealth and permit HTTP RANGE requests on proxies
What they doIf CBS.log shows missing baseline components or the PC sits behind a corporate proxy, have the IT administrator run DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth followed by sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt, and ensure network proxies permit HTTP RANGE requests (RFC 7233) to *.download.windowsupdate.com, *.dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com, and *.delivery.mp.microsoft.com.
They must show youthe terminal output 'The restore operation completed successfully' from DISM, the %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log summary, and proxy rules allowing HTTP RANGE requests.
In writingthe exact DISM and SFC commands executed, any repair source path used, and the proxy rule reference.
Clear C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution with the Windows Update service stopped
What they doHave an administrator back up personal files, open services.msc (or an elevated command prompt), stop the Windows Update service (wuauserv), delete or rename the contents of C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution so corrupt delta cache files are removed, restart the Windows Update service, and run Check for updates.
They must show youthe Windows Update service running again in services.msc and a fresh download and installation of the affected KB.
In writingthe date and time C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution was cleared, the KB number re-downloaded, and the final installation status.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Record the failing KB and run the Windows Update troubleshooter
- Who:
- You signed in on the Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC.
- How:
- Note the exact KB number next to 0x8024002C in Update history, then open Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, locate Windows Update, and select Run.
- Result that matters:
- The diagnostic checks the Windows Update service and local staging state for the delta-compressed package.
- If the troubleshooter repairs a service or cache fault and the KB installs on the next check, that confirms a local staging state caused 0x8024002C.
- If the troubleshooter reports no fix and 0x8024002C returns on the same KB, that points to pending prerequisite updates, date/time drift, or a missing baseline source.
- Evidence to keep:
- Save a screenshot of the Update history line showing 0x8024002C and the troubleshooter result summary.
Evidence: Windows Update error reference · Microsoft Windows Update troubleshooting
Verify automatic date and time settings, run Check for updates, and complete any pending restart
- Who:
- You at the PC after saving open documents.
- How:
- Open Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time, enable Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically, select Sync now, then go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and select Update and restart if offered.
- Result that matters:
- Microsoft notes that incorrect date and time settings interfere with Windows Update and that many updates require a device restart before subsequent delta packages can apply.
- If earlier updates install and 0x8024002C disappears after Update and restart, that confirms the delta package was waiting on uncommitted baseline files.
- If no pending restart exists and the clock was already synchronized yet 0x8024002C persists, that rules out clock drift and uncommitted reboots.
- Evidence to keep:
- Keep a screenshot of the Date & time page and the post-restart Windows Update status.
Evidence: Microsoft Windows Update troubleshooting · How Windows Update works
Inspect WindowsUpdate.log and CBS.log for CMPRESS, HANDLER, and delta hydration lines
- Who:
- Your IT administrator or support technician using elevated Windows PowerShell.
- How:
- Run Get-WindowsUpdateLog to generate a static WindowsUpdate.log file, inspect lines from CMPRESS (Compression agent) and HANDLER around 0x8024002C, and review %systemroot%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log for the installation phase.
- Result that matters:
- WindowsUpdate.log tracks the Compression agent and installer handler, while CBS.log records the servicing stack installation step.
- If the Windows Update log shows 0x8024002C before CBS starts or alongside proxy range failures, that isolates the fault to delta content retrieval or the local SoftwareDistribution cache.
- If the CBS log records missing baseline binaries or manifests during package installation, that points to component store repair with DISM.
- Evidence to keep:
- Save the matching timestamped lines from WindowsUpdate.log and %systemroot%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log.
Never delete files inside %SYSTEMROOT%\WinSxS\Manifests or %SYSTEMROOT%\Servicing\Packages manually while inspecting servicing logs.
Evidence: Fix Windows Update corruptions and installation failures · Windows Update log files · Windows Update issues troubleshooting
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Software and digital services
- Brand
- Microsoft Windows
- Product type
- Operating system
Known code variants
- 0x8024002C
- Windows Update 0x8024002C
- WU_E_BIN_SOURCE_ABSENT
What it means
In the Windows Update error reference and Wuerror.h, 0x8024002C maps to WU_E_BIN_SOURCE_ABSENT: a delta-compressed update could not be installed because it required the source. The Windows Update API tracks delta availability through IUpdate::get_DeltaCompressedContentAvailable, and the Arbiter builds an action list of required files for the installation agent (such as CBS or Setup) while pairing with 0x8024002D (WU_E_SOURCE_ABSENT) for full-file packages. Code 0x8024002C alone never proves disk hardware failure or operating system corruption.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Lowsource verified
Never use a DISM /Source repair folder from a different Windows operating system version or download unofficial delta packs from third-party websites; Microsoft requires the repair source to match the exact operating system version.
Evidence: Fix Windows Update corruptions and installation failures · How to download updates that include drivers and hotfixes from the Microsoft Update Catalog
- Mediumsource verified
Before clearing C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution or running DISM repairs for 0x8024002C, back up your personal files to an external USB drive or OneDrive as instructed by Microsoft, and do not attempt administrator service changes on a work PC without IT approval.
Evidence: Microsoft Windows Update troubleshooting
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Delta-compressed update missing its required source during installation (WU_E_BIN_SOURCE_ABSENT)Confirmed
Microsoft's error reference and Wuerror.h define 0x8024002C as WU_E_BIN_SOURCE_ABSENT, returned when a delta-compressed update cannot be installed because it requires the source.
Evidence: Windows Update error reference · WUA Success and Error Codes (Wuerror.h) · IUpdate::get_DeltaCompressedContentAvailable method (wuapi.h)
- Corrupted files in the local SoftwareDistribution cache or unfinished prior updatePossible
Microsoft Support states that corrupt update files in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution can cause update errors, and pending earlier updates or restarts can leave baseline files unavailable when the Arbiter calls the installer.
Evidence: Microsoft Windows Update troubleshooting · How Windows Update works
- Proxy server blocking HTTP RANGE requests required for delta patchingPossible
Windows Update relies on WinHTTP with Partial Range requests (RFC 7233) to transfer delta content from Windows Update or WSUS servers, and Microsoft notes that delta patching cannot work properly when a proxy blocks HTTP RANGE requests.
Evidence: Windows Update issues troubleshooting
- Missing baseline binary or manifest in the Component-Based Servicing storePossible
If a baseline file or manifest in %SYSTEMROOT%\WinSxS\Manifests or %SYSTEMROOT%\Servicing\Packages is missing or damaged, forward delta hydration in CBS can fail until DISM restores the component store.
Evidence: Fix Windows Update corruptions and installation failures · Windows Update log files
Virtual technician
Does 0x8024002C still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Windows Update error reference
Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc
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