You can easily find and install updates on your Windows PC through the Update and Recovery section. Provided that you have a good internet connection, you should not face any problems in the process.
Do you get the message “we could not connect to the update service” while trying to update Windows? Then, this might indicate a wide range of issues with the device or the connection.
Windows 10 users might come across this update issue quite often. Regardless of the reason, you can usually fix this issue all by yourself. The methods we have listed below should make that task simpler for you.
What causes the Windows Update Service Issue & How to Fix it?
Apart from the internet connection, this problem might also have something to do with your antivirus among other things. So, you need to consider all the possible causes of this issue to find an appropriate solution. Then, you must apply the following solutions depending on the cause:
Fix Internet Connection Issues
Internet problems are among the most common causes behind Update Service connection issues. So, you might want to address this problem first. Disconnect from the network for a minute, and then connect to it again. Refreshing the network often does the trick in fixing connection errors. But, if that does not work, you must restart your router if you are using one.
Unplug the router from the power supply and wait for a minute before turning it back on. Then, connect to its network and check whether you can update your Windows system. If the problem persists, you must also try changing the connection type.
Switch to an ethernet network if you are using a wireless one. Are you already using an ethernet cable? Then, check it for any damages and use a different one, if required.
Does the issue persist after you take the aforementioned steps? If yes, then the problem might lie elsewhere.
Turn Off Your Antivirus
Are you using third-party antivirus software on your device? Then, the problem you are facing with the Update Service might have something to do with that. As many Windows users have reported, your antivirus might often prevent your device from connecting to the Update Service. And, you need to disable it to proceed with the update in such cases.
So, make sure whether it is the antivirus causing the problem. Launch the app and toggle off the antivirus protection. Then, check whether you can install the update after doing that.
Troubleshoot Windows Update Issues
The Troubleshooter is very useful in finding and fixing a wide range of issues on your Windows PC. You can use it to fix pretty much all components of your Windows system. In this case, you need to run this tool for update issues. Open the Update and Security section in your Settings menu and go to the Troubleshoot tab. Then, click on the Windows Update option on the right panel to troubleshoot update issues.
The troubleshooter will scan your PC to find any problems preventing the system update. Then, it will proceed with the repair and might need some time to complete the task. You should get instructions on the screen for fixing the problem manually if the Troubleshooter cannot resolve it.
Fix Corrupt System Data
Your Windows system contains various files that are crucial for update procedures. And, they might get corrupted under certain circumstances. In such cases, you might see the message: “we could not connect to the Windows Update Service”. So, if the aforementioned solutions did not work, you must find and fix corrupt system files.
But, how do you find the culprit among so many system files? If you are wondering, the System File Checker (SFC) can make that task quite easy. You must open Command Prompt with administrator privileges to use this tool. Input “sfc /scannow” to scan your computer for corrupt system files.
It might take some time for SFC to fix the damaged files on your device. Close CMD once you are done and check whether you can connect to the Update Service.
Refresh the Update Service
Your Windows system runs various services in the background which it uses for performing a wide range of functions. These services might often face errors and cause issues with the functions associated with them. So, you might fail to connect to the Update Service due to an error in it. In such cases, restarting the service on your computer might provide an optimal solution.
Go to the Services window on your device through the Start menu search box. Then, right-click the Windows Update Service and opt for restarting it. You can also stop it for a few minutes and start it again once you are ready. Check whether your device can connect to the Windows Update Service after that.
Reset Your IP Address
Your PC might fail to connect to the Update Service due to a problem with the IP address. So, you must try renewing your IP address if the previously-mentioned solutions are ineffective. You must open the Command Prompt on your device to continue. So, open the CMD through the search bar or by entering “command prompt” in the Run.
Enter “ipconfig /release” to release your device’s current IP address. Once you do that, your device is ready to use a different IP address. Enter “ipconfig /renew” to assign your device a new one. Close the Command Prompt once you are done and try connecting to the Windows Update Service.
Update Your Windows System Manually
You might fail to connect to the Windows Update Service only while using automatic updates. Are you unable to fix the issue with the aforementioned steps? Then, you must manually download the update you are looking for. You can find the latest available update on the Windows Update Catalog website. Also, make sure to get professional help in fixing the issue with automatic updates.
