Manually updating Defender results in error (always)

I run an AVITA Libra laptop with windows 11 x 64 bit (updated till patch tuesday of March 2022).

I have a peculiar problem in that windows defender AV does not update and results in a "Protection Definition Update FAILED" error each time i try - error code 8024402f

This means i will not be getting regular definition updates and defender will only receive definition updates rolled up and served through windows update

I have reset windows updates (using a well written bat script file).

Resetting with files and settings too intact too did not work and the anomaly remains.

WHEN WINDOWS UPDATE IS DISABLED THEN THE DEFENDER MANUAL UPDATE WORKS which is a workaround but not a solution!
Surely one can find out what it is when windows updates is turned on is interfering with the uodate of defender?

Please help - There is no third party software on my laptop except for MS office