Windows Update error: 0x80244010 – The number of round trips to the server exceeded the maximum limit

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This error is mostly raised when a Windows client hasn’t been updated for a long time or when the software distribution store is cleaned and need to build up again. The default round trip value is capped to a maximum of 200KB per client each request, while the metadata XML file can grow to a larger file.

There are 2 possible solutions for this problem.

  1. The good old reboot. Just reboot, retry a couple of times and everything magically starting to work.
  2. Remove the maximum XML file size limit. This is one is more difficult, but way more efficient because you don’t have to troubleshoot each failing client. Will discuss this one below.

How to run queries against the WSUS Database?

The first thing, you need to know which database type is running for your WSUS instance. It can be the (default) Windows WID Database or SQL (express). To find out which database, navigate to the following registry key or run this PowerShell script on your WSUS server:

The manual method, navigate to: HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Update Services\Server\Setup

WID Database
SQL Database

Query the WSUS WID Database

PowerShell Script Example to change the MaxXMLPerRequest value.

Query the WSUS SQL Express Database

PowerShell Script Example to change the MaxXMLPerRequest value.

The final script

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