How to Fix Windows Update error 0x80072efd in Windows 10

David Darlington

Dec 16, 2024 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions

Windows Updates is the safeguard of Windows 10 to get the applications, programs, and the whole system to run properly by sending updates in real-time and ensuring optimal health for the PC. However, there are cases wherein this service fails and causes errors to appear, such as the error code 0x80072efd.

This error occurs when the user checks for updates that interrupt the connection between the PC and Windows Updates servers. You can try the Windows Update Troubleshooter to give you a guiding wizard that automatically detects the problem. However, this sometimes cannot guarantee that the issue will be fixed.

OVERVIEW OF THE ERROR

The error 0x80072efd may be caused by an interference of the firewall of the computer or the local network while connecting to the Windows Updates server. It could also be that your PC has lost its internet connectivity, or that the network has limited access.

Aside from the error occurring due to network issues, it could also be that the proxy configuration is incorrect, causing the system to be confused and ultimately giving the error code. Another reason may be that antivirus is blocking the connection. Another known reason for this error is that the MTU setting for the router is either too low or too high.

If any of these happen while the Windows Updates program is running, then it would most likely give the 0x80072efd error.

HOW TO FIX THE ERROR

Before proceeding, ensure that a backup of the hard drive is available and that you have a system restore point on the ready. These are quick ways to ensure that you do not lose any important data or system files that might corrupt and crash the whole system once modified.
Also, you can try refreshing the Windows Store first and see if the problem resolves by itself. If not, proceed with the following methods.

Method 1: Using Basics

If you have Windows 10 and are trying to fix the Windows Update error 0x80072efd, every time you are updating the windows on your system, you should start by looking at some basic measures. These include-

• Checking internet connection

  It is obvious that if you are not connected to the internet, you won't be able to download and install updates, no matter what advanced solutions you use. So, to confirm if you are connected to the internet, you can use the Command Prompt as it is a more effective method to confirm network connectivity. To access it, go to Start, type “Command Prompt” in the search bar, and open the console.

  Now, type out the following command to check if you have an active internet connection. Press Enter after typing the complete command: ping google.com

  We are using the Google domain as an example, so, you can also use other pingable domains or services.

  If it confirms that you aren’t connected to the internet, then look for solutions to common issues connecting to a network and not Windows Update.

• Restarting your system

  You can always try restraining your computer as it doesn’t take much time nor effort. So, click the Restart button in the Power options menu, under Start to restart your device. Once your PC restarts, you can try again to update your device again from the Windows Update settings page.

• Pausing updates

  Sometimes, when dealing with fixing the issues pertaining to downloading Windows updates, you can try a simple method of pausing and resuming the update and check if it fixes the problem. To do so, go to Windows Update in the Update & Security tab in your system’s settings. Now, click on the “Pause updates for 7 days” button.

  Now, restart your device and again go to Settings, then Update & Security, and open Windows Update. This time, click the “Resume updates” button. Now check if the updates are downloading without any issue.

• Freeing up space

  More often than you imagine, lack of storage in your device is the culprit behind occurring errors while trying to install updates. So, to make additional space to allow smooth installation of updates, go to Settings, click on the System button, and open Storage. Move to the “Local Disk C:” section and click on the “Temporary files” section. Now choose all the items that you feel are unnecessary or have been backed up somewhere safe to free up space on this device. Always remember to copy all the important files you want to keep to an external drive before proceeding with clearing the files, especially from the “Downloads” section.

Click on the “Remove files” button. After you’ve made additional space, try resuming your Windows update to check if it runs without triggering the error 0x80072efd code.

If the above basic methods fail to fix the Windows Update error 0x80072efd on Windows 10, you can check the following advanced methods to solve the issue.

Method 2: Checking the Date and Time

The Windows Time service should be configured properly to avoid the 0x80072efd error.

1. On the search box, type in Services and select the top result.
2. The Services window will then appear. On the right side of the window, locate Windows Time and double click on it.

   

3. Locate the Startup Type in the General tab and choose Automatic on the dropdown menu.

   

4. On the Service Status selection, click on the Stop button, wait a few seconds, and then select Start. It should indicate the status that it is Running.
5. Click on the Apply button and then press OK.

Method 3: Disabling the Proxy

An enabled proxy might prevent the Windows system from being able to access the Windows Store which also holds the Windows Updates.

1. Press Win + R at the same time to open the Run dialog box. Type in cpl and choose OK.
2. This opens the Internet Properties Settings popup window. In the Connections tab, select LAN Settings.
3. Tick the box that says Automatically Detect Settings and then untick the box below that is labeled Use a proxy server for your LAN.

   

4. Click on OK and then go to Windows Store and try checking for updates again.

Method 4: Removing the Windows Updates Entries from the HOSTS File

The Windows HOSTS is located in the system drive C: and needs administrative control to be edited.

1. On the Start menu, type in Notepad on the search box and right-click on the top result.
2. Choose Run As Administrator.

   

3. On the File menu of the Notepad window, select Open.

   

4. Select All Files found beside the file search box.
5. Type in this file destination on the search box beside Filename: C:\Winnt\system32\drivers\etc
6. Double click on the host's file and select Open.

   

7. Remove the lines that have the Windows Update entries: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
8. Select the File menu and click on Save.
9. Close the Notepad window.

Method 5: Running the Troubleshooter for Windows Updates

The Windows Updates Troubleshooter can detect any errors in updating by automatically scanning the program. This needs internet access to work, so make sure that your computer is connected to the internet.

1. On the Start menu, click the cogwheel icon to open the Settings window.
2. Proceed to Update & Security, and then navigate to Troubleshoot.
3. A troubleshooting wizard will appear. Click on Windows Update and then select Next to start the service.

   

4. After the system starts scanning for errors, it will prompt a troubleshooting report and it will show whether the issue has been fixed automatically.

   

5. Restart the PC and try running Windows Updates again to see if the error has been fixed.

Method 6: Renaming the Software Distribution Folder

The Software Distribution folder temporarily stores files that are needed in installing new updates that contain the latest improvements and fixes for the system. It is safe to  clear this folder  if the update is successful, or if Windows Updates is not running properly and turning up the 0x80072efd error.

1. Press Win + X and find Command Prompt (Admin) to open the elevated Command Prompt that has administrative privileges.

   

2. On the command line, type each one of these and hit Enter after each entry:
   net stop wuauserv
   net stop cryptSvc
   net stop bits
   net stop msiserver
3. Type this next command on the vacant line and hit Enter: ren X:\Eindows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old (replace X with the corresponding drive letter where Windows is installed, which is usually C:)
4. On the next command line, type each one of these and hit Enter after each entry:
   net start wuauserv
   net start cryptSvc
   net start bits
   net start msiserver

   

5. Type in Exit on the next command line and then hit Enter key to close the Command Prompt dialogue box.
6. Reboot your PC and check on Windows Updates whether the issue is resolved or not.

Method 7: Clear the Windows Store Cache

Sometimes the error 0x80072efd may also occur while updating Windows 10 due to a damaged Windows Store Cache. To fix it, you have to clear the Windows Store cache. For that, type wsreset in the Start Search bar and click “Run as administrator.” After a command prompt, a confirmation message will display saying: “The cache for the Store was cleared. You can now browse the Store for apps”.

This implies you have cleared the cache. Now start the update and check if the 0x80072efd error is resolved.

CONCLUSION

The error 0x80072 is one of the many Windows Updates issues that can be fixed by following the methods above. However, proper caution should be taken when configuring and modifying system files or folders because this can potentially harm your computer and cause it to crash. To make sure that the right step is taken, you can contact an expert to perform the troubleshooting for you.