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WU_E_NETWORK_COST_EXCEEDS_POLICY
WU_E_NETWORK_COST_EXCEEDS_POLICY is a policy decision based on the current connection’s cost. It is not a failure of the update server or BITS transfer itself.
What to check
- Determine whether Windows classifies the active connection as metered, roaming, or otherwise cost-constrained.
- Review device-management and Windows Update policies that govern downloading over that connection.
- Retry on an approved network or after an administrator changes the applicable policy intentionally.
Network cost is a policy input, not proof of lost connectivity
Windows has update policy specifically controlling automatic downloads over metered data connections. A connection can be fully reachable and still be rejected because its cost classification does not meet the active Windows Update policy. That makes ping, DNS, and proxy tests insufficient when this HRESULT is the primary result.
Capture the network profile and the policy source applied to the device. On managed systems, compare MDM or Group Policy configuration with the intended deployment policy before overriding metered behavior. If the operation is postponed until an unmetered network is available, start a new download workflow so WUA reevaluates the current cost state.
References
References
- Microsoft: AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork policy
- Microsoft: Windows Update error reference
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