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5 Solutions to fix “We couldn’t connect to the update service” Windows 10 Version 21H2

While checking and installing windows updates Getting an Error “We couldn’t connect to the update service. We’ll try again later, or you can check now. If it still doesn’t work, make sure you’re connected to the Internet.” And click the Retry button results same, Windows 10 version 21H2 fails to install the latest updates. Also, users report they have a valid internet connection, Other apps and web browsers displaying web pages but only while checking windows updates its results We couldn’t connect to the update service. There are various reasons that cause this problem but the most common is Corrupted system files, Or may any third party application causing the issue, or the windows update service itself stuck not running etc.

Windows UPDATE “We couldn’t connect to the update service. We’ll try again later, or you can check now. If it still doesn’t work, make sure you’re connected to the Internet.”

We couldn’t connect to the update service

So if you’re sure you’re online or connected to the web and you all apps can work with the Internet but you still can’t check for Windows Updates, here are some applicable solutions to address the issue.

Open Settings -> Time & Language -> Select Region & Language from options on left. Here Verify your Country/Region is correct from the drop-down list.

Completely uninstall the antivirus program or any other security program from your system.

Start windows into clean boot state and check for updates from settings -> update & security -> windows update and check for updates. This will fix the issue, download and install Windows updates if any third party application causing the issue.

Change the DNS

Recently a number of users report this issue, Windows update not being able to connect to the Update Server and other Microsoft services not being able to connect to the Internet. After changing the DNS resolves the issue for them.

To change the DNS, perform the following steps:

  1. Press Windows key+R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type in ncpa.cpl and press Enter.
  3. Right-click the device in the Network list through which you connect and choose Properties.
  4. Select Internet Protocol version 4 and choose properties just below the Checkbox list.
  5. Select the radio button “Use the following DNS servers” and add the following values in the boxes:
    8.8.8.8
    8.8.4.4
  6. Press OK and Reboot your computer.

Use Open DNS or Google’s DNS

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

  • Open Windows Settings using keyboard shortcut Windows + I
  • Click on Update & Security then Troubleshoot.
  • Here you find different troubleshooting tools to fix different problems.
  • look for windows update troubleshooter
  • Click on it and run the troubleshooter button.

This will attempt to identify if any problems exist which prevent your computer from downloading and installing Windows Updates. After complete, the process Restart windows and again manually Check for Updates.

Windows update troubleshooter

Run Network & Internet Troubleshooter

  • Here again from Windows Settings
  • Click on Update & Security then Troubleshoot.
  • Click on the network adapter and run the troubleshooter
  • After that click on internet connections and run the troubleshooter to check and make sure the network and internet connection not causing the issue.

Reset proxy setup

This is another effective solution you may apply to check and fix the “We couldn’t connect to the update service” problem.

  • Open control panel, search for and select internet options,
  • In the Connections tab, click on LAN settings.
  • Under Proxy server, uncheck the box next to Use a proxy server for your LAN.
  • Uncheck the box next to Use automatic configuration script.
  • Click OK.

proxy settings

Restart Windows Update Service (And its related services)

  • Press Windows + R, type services.msc and click on ok,
  • This will open the Windows services console,
  • Scroll down and look for windows update service,
  • If its running state simply right click on it and select restart.
  • If it’s not running then right-click and select start the service.

stop windows update service

  • Now double click on windows update service to get its properties.
  • Here change its startup type is set to automatic.
  • Now switch to the Dependencies tab,
  • here make sure the dependency services listed here are running.
  • In this case, the dependency service is the Remote Procedure Call service.
  • So ensure it is Running and has an Automatic Startup type.

windows update dependencies service

Also Check windows update related services (Background Intelligent Transfer Service, SysMain ) are running or restart these services.

Run System File Checker Utility

Corrupted system files may be the possible cause why you’re unable to get an update. Simply Run the System file checker utility to check and restore if any missing corrupted system files causing the issue.

  • To do this open command prompt as administrator,
  • Type sfc /scannow and hit the enter key.
  • This will check for missing corrupted system files if found any the utility will restore them from  %WinDir%\System32\dllcache.
  • Wait until 100% complete the scanning process After that restart windows and check for updates.

Run system file checker

Also if the SFC scan fails to restore corrupted system files, simply run the DISM command which repairs the system image and enables SFC to do its job.

That’s all now close every window and restart your system. On next login check for updates from settings -> update & Security -> windows update And check for updates. And I am sure this time you get succeed, Did these tips helped to fix the problem?

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