Primarily found on Windows 7, Windows Vista, or early builds of Windows 10, 80072EFE is a common Windows update error. It causes unexpected network issues or connection failures when running Windows updates, resulting in notifications such as Windows could not search for new updates.
Caused by network interruptions or timeouts, Firewall, proxy, or VPN blocking, corrupted Windows update cache or components, and third-party software interfering with Windows updates, error code 80072EFE is easily fixed. This post guides you through the most effective ways to solve this problem.
To give you an idea, the fixes include checking the internet connection, running built-in troubleshooters, running a malware scan, clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder contents, deleting the CatRoot2 folder, disabling third-party antivirus software and firewall, checking the date and time settings, disabling the VPN or proxy, resetting the network settings, running SFC and DISM scans, and installing the Windows update manually. The following sections explain these solutions in detail.
How to Fix Windows Update Error Code 80072EFE
To fix the Windows update error code 80072EFE, follow a simple troubleshooting checklist: check the internet connection, run Windows troubleshooters, reset Windows update components, run malware and system file scans, and install the update manually. Below are all these solutions explained in detail; follow them sequentially until the problem is solved.
Fix 1: Check your internet connection
Windows updates need an active and smoothly functioning internet connection to download. If the internet connection drops during the Windows update download, you may run into the 80072EFE Windows update error. Hence, check your connection to ensure it works normally.
To check the internet connection, open multiple web pages on your browser, stream a video, or perform a speed test to detect bandwidth drops or interruptions.
If the connection is unstable, wait for 10-20 minutes and try again. If you use a wireless connection, switch to an Ethernet cable that directly connects to the router, as WiFi is more prone to outages.
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Fix 2: Run built-in troubleshooters
Windows has many automatic troubleshooters that you can use to fix various problems. To fix the Windows update error code 80072EFE, you can run the Windows Update troubleshooter and network adapter troubleshooter. The Windows Update troubleshooter fixes issues with services, such as BITS, folder permissions, and the Windows Update itself. The network adapter troubleshooter fixes problems with the DHCP, DNS, gateway, or the virtual/physical adapter. Below is how to run these troubleshooters.
- Click the Start button.
- Next, click the gear-like icon to open
- Navigate to Updates and Security.
- Click Ok.
- Click Network Adapter in the Troubleshoot menu.
- Click the Run button and wait for the process to complete.
- After the process is complete, restart your computer.
- Similarly, run the Windows Update troubleshooter in the Troubleshoot menu. If the Windows Update troubleshooter is not available in the main Troubleshoot menu, check Additional troubleshooters.
Fix 3: Perform a malware scan
Viruses or malicious attacks may also be responsible for Windows update errors like the 80072EFE code. Thus, you can run a malware scan using one of the best anti-malware software, such as Malwarebytes, iolo System Mechanic Ultimate Defense, or BitSafe Anti-Malware. If you do not want to use a third-party anti-malware, you can use the built-in Windows Security to scan for malware. Here is how.
- Click the Start button.
- Type Windows Security in the search bar.
- Click on the first search result.
- Next, click Virus & threat protection in the Windows Security menu.
- Click Scan Options on the right pane.
- In this step, click Full Scan.
- Next, click the Scan now button to begin the scan.
- Wait until the scan completes and then follow the suggested steps.
Fix 4: Clear the SoftwareDistribution folder
Clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder fixes the corrupt cached metadata and packages in the SoftwareDistribution folder, solving Windows update problems. Hence, the following are the steps to clear the SoftwareDistribution folder contents.
- Click the Start button.
- Type cmd in the search bar.
- Right-click Command Prompt in the search results.
- Click Run as administrator.
- In the Administrator Command Prompt, copy and paste the following command and press
net stop wuauserv
- Copy and paste the following command and press
net stop bits
- Next, close the Command Prompt and press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
- In File Explorer, open the folder: C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution
- Press and hold the Ctrl key to select all the folder contents.
- Press Delete to remove all the selected folder contents.
- Next, open the Administrator Command Prompt
- In the Administrator Command Prompt, copy and paste the following commands and press Enter after each command to restart Windows Update.
net start wuauserv
net start bits
- Close the Administrator Command Prompt after completing the above process.
Fix 5: Delete the CatRoot2 folder
CatRoot2 folder stores the specific Windows update package signatures. Corrupted files in this folder can cause the Windows update error 80072EFE. Thus, you can follow the steps below to delete this folder.
- Press Windows key + R to access the Run utility.
- Type msc in the Run box and press Enter.
- In the Services window, search for the Cryptographic Service.
- Double-click the Cryptographic Service to access its properties.
- Click Stop
- In the File Explorer, navigate to the path C:\Windows\System32\.
- In the System32 folder, find the CatRoot2 subfolder.
- Right-click CatRoot2 and then click delete.
- Go back to Cryptographic Services in the Services window and click
- Lastly, click OK to save the changes.
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Fix 6: Disable third-party antivirus software and firewall
Third-party antivirus software or firewalls, and even Windows Defender Firewall, can cut off or interfere with communication with Microsoft servers, causing the 80072EFE Windows update issue.
Hence, follow the instructions in your antivirus manual to disable the antivirus temporarily. You can re-enable it after the problem is solved. Specific antivirus software, such as Bitdefender, Avast, and ESET, have been called out by multiple users for interfering with Windows updates.
To disable Windows Defender Firewall temporarily until the issue is fixed, follow the steps below.
- Click the Start button.
- Type Control Panel in the search bar.
- Click Control Panel in the search results.
- In the Control Panel, choose Category from the View By drop-down.
- Click System and Security in the Control Panel menu.
- Next, click Windows Firewall in the System and Security menu.
- Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off in the right pane of the Windows Defender Firewall window.
- Click the Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended) option for both Private and Public networks.
- Lastly, click OK to save the changes.
Fix 7: Check your date and time settings
Incorrect date and time settings may be another reason for unsuccessful Windows updates. Thus, here are the steps to check and correct the date and time settings.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Click Time & Language in the Settings menu.
- Check the Date and Time in the Time and Language settings window.
- Change the settings if they are incorrect.
Fix 8: Disable VPN or Proxy, if active
Windows blocks updates if it detects the traffic is being manipulated using a VPN or proxy. Hence, below is how to disable the VPN or proxy.
Disable VPN temporarily
Follow the instructions in your VPN manual to close the VPN session or disconnect the secure VPN tunnel from its interface, and then restart your computer. After completing the Windows update, you can reconnect the VPN.
Disable proxy temporarily
The exact steps may vary slightly according to the version. Here are the approximate steps.
- Click the Start button.
- Type Proxy in the search bar.
- Click Proxy Settings or Network Proxy Settings, whichever option you get, in the search results.
- Uncheck the automatic proxy detection.
- Lastly, restart your PC.
Fix 9: Reset your network settings
Resetting the network settings fixes the network configurations that may be responsible for the Windows update error code 80072EFE. Here are the steps to reset the network settings.
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
- In the Settings panel, click Network & Internet.
- Next, click Advanced network settings.
- Navigate to More Settings.
- Click Network reset.
- Click the Reset now.
- Wait for the reset process to complete.
- Lastly, restart your computer.
Fix 10: Run SFC and DISM scans
A damaged component store (WinSxS) or service stack can cause failed Windows update operations. You can run the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM scans to repair these protected system files and the component store to fix the Windows update error 80072EFE. Here is how.
- Click the Start button, type cmd in the search bar, right-click the first search result, and click Run as administrator.
- In the Administrator Command Prompt, copy and paste the following commands one by one and press
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Lastly, reboot your computer.
Fix 11: Install the update manually
When none of the above solutions work, installing the Windows update manually is the last resort. The following are the steps to do this.
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Click Update & Security.
- Click Windows Update.
- Note the failed update’s KB number.
- Navigate to Microsoft Update Catalog.
- In the Microsoft Update Catalog, search for the KB number you noted previously.
- Select the version that corresponds to your system type.
- Click Download for the selected version.
- Double-click the .cab or .msu file and run it in the Downloads folder.
If you have any questions or are confused, check the frequently asked questions below for answers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What Is Error Code 80072EFE on Windows?
Error code 80072EFE is a Windows update error that indicates interference in communication with Microsoft servers during the update process.
Q2. What Causes Windows Update Error 80072EFE?
Network instability, firewall interference, misconfigured system services, and corrupted update components are the primary causes of the Windows update error code 80072EFE.
Q3. How do I fix the Windows update error 80072EFE?
To fix the 80072EFE error code, check the internet connection, run the built-in Windows troubleshooters, and disable third-party antivirus or security tools. For detailed and more effective solutions, refer to the guide above.
That concludes our guide on how to fix the Windows update error 80072EFE. Hopefully, this helps you update Windows smoothly. If any questions persist, or if you want to share your valuable suggestions to improve this guide, feel free to leave us a comment.
