Fix Windows Update Error 80072EE2: Connection Problem Solved

Error 80072EE2 is a connection timeout problem. It happens when Windows Update can’t reach Microsoft servers. Your computer tries to connect but gives up after waiting too long.

This error stops you from installing updates. You might see it when checking for updates or downloading them. The system simply can’t establish a stable connection to the update servers.

The good news: this is fixable. Most people solve it in 15 to 30 minutes using the methods below.

Why Does This Error Happen?

Several things cause error 80072EE2. Understanding the cause helps you fix it properly.

Network connectivity issues

Your internet connection might be unstable. WiFi drops, router problems, or ISP issues block communication with Microsoft servers.

Firewall or antivirus blocking

Security software sometimes blocks Windows Update connections. It treats the update process as suspicious activity.

Windows Update service problems

The Windows Update service might be stopped or corrupted. It needs to run continuously to check for and install updates.

Proxy server issues

If your computer uses a proxy, misconfiguration prevents reaching Microsoft servers directly.

DNS resolution failures

Your computer can’t translate the server address into an IP address. This is a domain name system problem.

Too many devices on the network

Bandwidth gets used up by other devices or applications. Windows Update gets no resources to download.

Outdated or corrupted update files

Downloaded update files become corrupted. The system can’t complete the installation.

Method 1: Restart Your Computer and Router

Start simple. Most connection issues disappear after restarting.

For your computer:

1. Click the Start menu
2. Select Shut down
3. Wait 30 seconds
4. Turn the computer back on

For your router:

1. Unplug the power cable
2. Wait 2 minutes
3. Plug it back in
4. Wait for lights to stabilize (usually 3 to 5 minutes)

After both devices restart, try Windows Update again. This clears temporary connection problems and refreshes your internet connection.

Method 2: Disable Firewall and Antivirus Temporarily

Security software blocks Windows Update connections. Test this theory by disabling protection temporarily.

For Windows Defender Firewall:

1. Click the Start menu
2. Type “Windows Defender Firewall”
3. Click “Windows Defender Firewall”
4. Click “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off” (left side)
5. Select “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall” for both private and public networks
6. Click OK

For third-party antivirus:

Right-click the antivirus icon in your system tray. Look for options like “Disable protection” or “Turn off” or “Pause protection.” Each program differs, so check the menus.

Now try Windows Update again.

Important: Enable firewall and antivirus protection after testing. Don’t leave them off permanently. This leaves your system vulnerable.

If error 80072EE2 disappears, your security software needs adjustment. Add Windows Update to the exclusion list in your antivirus settings.

Method 3: Reset Windows Update Components

Windows Update files can become corrupted. Resetting components forces the system to rebuild them.

This method requires Command Prompt with administrator access.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator

1. Click the Start menu
2. Type “cmd”
3. Right-click “Command Prompt”
4. Click “Run as administrator”
5. Click “Yes” when prompted

Step 2: Stop Windows Update services

Copy and paste this line into Command Prompt:

net stop wuauserv

Press Enter. Wait for confirmation.

Then paste this:

net stop cryptsvc

Press Enter.

Step 3: Delete temporary update files

Paste this line:

Del %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download\*

Press Enter. This removes incomplete downloads that might be corrupted.

Step 4: Restart the services

Paste this:

net start wuauserv

Press Enter.

Then paste:

net start cryptsvc

Press Enter.

Close Command Prompt and restart your computer. Windows Update should work now.

Method 4: Clear DNS Cache

DNS problems prevent your computer from reaching Microsoft servers. Clearing the DNS cache forces your system to fetch fresh address information.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator (same as Method 3)

Step 2: Flush DNS cache

Paste this line:

ipconfig /flushdns

Press Enter. Wait for confirmation that it succeeded.

Step 3: Reset TCP/IP stack

Paste this:

netsh int ip reset reset.log

Press Enter.

Restart your computer. Try Windows Update again.

Method 5: Change Your Internet Connection

Sometimes specific network configurations cause problems. Switching from WiFi to ethernet (or vice versa) tests whether your connection type is the issue.

From WiFi to ethernet:

1. Plug an ethernet cable into your computer and router
2. Go to Settings > Network > Status
3. Your computer should recognize the wired connection
4. Disconnect from WiFi
5. Try Windows Update

From ethernet to WiFi:

1. Disconnect the ethernet cable
2. Connect to your WiFi network
3. Try Windows Update

If error 80072EE2 disappears on one connection type, your router or network configuration needs adjustment. Contact your internet provider if WiFi doesn’t work properly.

Method 6: Update Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupted network drivers cause connection problems.

Step 1: Open Device Manager

1. Right-click the Start menu
2. Click “Device Manager”

Step 2: Find network adapters

Look for “Network adapters” and click the arrow to expand it.

Step 3: Update the driver

Right-click your network device (usually “Ethernet” or “WiFi adapter”). Click “Update driver.”

Select “Search automatically for updated driver software.”

Windows searches and installs updates if available.

Step 4: Restart your computer

A restart finalizes the driver update.

Method 7: Disable Proxy Settings

Proxy servers intercept your connection. Misconfigured proxy settings block Windows Update.

Step 1: Open Settings

1. Click the Start menu
2. Type “Proxy settings”
3. Click “Proxy settings”

Step 2: Check proxy configuration

Look for “Automatically detect settings.” Make sure it’s turned ON.

Look for “Use a proxy server.” Make sure it’s turned OFF.

If it was on, turn it off and try Windows Update again.

Step 3: Alternative method for manual proxy

1. Right-click the Start menu
2. Click “Command Prompt (Admin)”
3. Paste this:

netsh winhttp reset proxy

Press Enter. This resets all proxy configurations to default.

Restart and try Windows Update.

Method 8: Check Your Internet Speed

Slow internet causes timeout errors. Windows Update needs minimum speed to work properly.

Test your connection:

1. Visit speedtest.net in your browser
2. Click the big button to start the test
3. Wait for results

Your download speed should be at least 1 Mbps. If it’s much lower, contact your internet provider.

If speed is low:

1. Move closer to your router
2. Close other applications using the internet
3. Disconnect other devices from your WiFi
4. Restart your router
5. Contact your internet provider if problems persist

Method 9: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Microsoft built a tool to fix Windows Update problems automatically.

For Windows 10:

1. Click the Start menu
2. Type “Troubleshoot settings”
3. Click “Troubleshoot settings”
4. Click “Additional troubleshooters”
5. Find “Windows Update”
6. Click it and select “Run the troubleshooter”

The tool runs diagnostics and fixes problems automatically.

For Windows 11:

1. Click the Start menu
2. Type “Settings”
3. Click Settings
4. Go to System > Troubleshoot
5. Click “Other troubleshooters”
6. Find “Windows Update” and click the three dots
7. Click “Run”

Method 10: Perform a Clean Boot

Background applications interfere with Windows Update. A clean boot disables everything except essential services.

Step 1: Open System Configuration

1. Press Windows Key + R
2. Type “msconfig”
3. Press Enter

Step 2: Access Services tab

1. Click the “Services” tab
2. Check the box: “Hide all Microsoft services”
3. Click “Disable All”

Step 3: Disable startup programs

1. Click the “Startup” tab
2. Click “Open Task Manager”
3. For each startup item, right-click and select “Disable”
4. Close Task Manager
5. Click OK in System Configuration

Step 4: Restart your computer

Your computer starts with minimal background processes. Try Windows Update.

After Windows Update completes, reverse these steps:

1. Open msconfig again
2. Click the Services tab
3. Uncheck “Hide all Microsoft services”
4. Click “Enable All”
5. Click OK and restart

Method 11: Manually Check for Updates from Command Prompt

Sometimes forcing Windows Update through Command Prompt bypasses connection problems.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator

1. Press Windows Key + R
2. Type “cmd”
3. Press Enter
4. Right-click the Command Prompt window title
5. Click “Properties”
6. Check “Run as administrator”
7. Click OK and close, then reopen it

Step 2: Run the update scan

Paste this:

wuauclt /detectnow

Press Enter. This forces Windows to check for updates immediately.

Then paste:

wuauclt /updatenow

Press Enter. This forces the update to begin downloading.

Wait several minutes. The update process happens in the background.

Method 12: Reset Windows Update Settings Completely

This is the nuclear option. Use it only after other methods fail. It removes all update history and settings, forcing a fresh start.

Step 1: Open Services

1. Press Windows Key + R
2. Type “services.msc”
3. Press Enter

Step 2: Stop update-related services

Find and right-click each service, then click “Stop”:

• Windows Update
• Update Orchestrator Service

Step 3: Rename SoftwareDistribution folder

1. Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer
2. Paste this in the address bar: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
3. Right-click the “Download” folder
4. Click “Rename”
5. Type “Download.old”
6. Press Enter

Repeat for any other folders here if you want a complete reset.

Step 4: Restart services

Go back to Services, find the same services, right-click each and click “Start.”

Restart your computer. Windows Update will rebuild its database from scratch.

Methods and When to Use Them

Method	Time Required	Difficulty	Best For
Restart computer and router	5 minutes	Very Easy	First troubleshooting step
Disable firewall temporarily	5 minutes	Easy	Testing security software
Reset Update components	10 minutes	Medium	Corrupted update files
Clear DNS cache	5 minutes	Medium	DNS resolution issues
Change internet connection	5 minutes	Very Easy	Network type problems
Update network drivers	15 minutes	Medium	Outdated drivers
Disable proxy settings	5 minutes	Easy	Proxy configuration issues
Check internet speed	3 minutes	Very Easy	Bandwidth problems
Run troubleshooter	10 minutes	Very Easy	General diagnosis
Clean boot	15 minutes	Medium	Conflicting software
Manual command prompt update	20 minutes	Hard	Forced update attempt
Reset Update completely	20 minutes	Hard	Last resort option

Prevention Tips: Avoid Error 80072EE2 in the Future

Keep a stable internet connection

Use ethernet when possible. WiFi is convenient but less reliable. Check your router regularly. Restart it monthly.

Maintain firewall and antivirus settings

Add Windows Update to your security software’s exception list. This prevents blocking without disabling protection entirely.

Schedule updates for off-peak hours

Updates download faster when your network is quiet. Set Windows Update to run at night or early morning.

Keep drivers updated

Outdated drivers cause connection issues. Check for driver updates monthly through Device Manager.

Don’t interrupt update installation

Never force shut down during updates. This corrupts files and causes error 80072EE2 later.

Monitor disk space

Windows Update needs at least 3 GB of free space. Keep your drive from getting too full.

Test your connection regularly

Run speed tests monthly. Slow speeds warn you of problems before they affect updates.

Summary

Error 80072EE2 is a connection timeout issue, but it’s fixable. Start with simple steps like restarting your computer and router. Move to more complex solutions only if needed.

Most people solve this error using the first three methods. Only try the complex solutions if basic troubleshooting fails.

The order matters:

1. Restart everything
2. Test with firewall disabled
3. Reset Windows Update components
4. Clear DNS cache
5. Try other methods as needed

Your computer needs Windows Updates for security and stability. Don’t ignore error 80072EE2. Fixing it protects your system from vulnerabilities.

If you’ve tried all methods and the error persists, your internet connection has fundamental problems. Contact your internet service provider or visit a technician for hardware diagnosis.

Remember to enable security protection after testing. Never leave your firewall and antivirus off permanently.

FAQs

What does error code 80072EE2 actually mean?

It’s a timeout error indicating your computer couldn’t reach Windows Update servers within the time limit. The connection attempt failed, not because servers are down, but because your computer couldn’t maintain the connection long enough to complete the download.

Will resetting Windows Update delete my installed updates?

No. Resetting components only removes incomplete downloads and temporary files. All previously installed updates remain. Your computer still has all the security patches you’ve received.

Is it safe to disable Windows Defender Firewall to test this error?

Yes, temporarily. Test for 15 to 30 minutes while troubleshooting. Always enable it again afterward. Leaving it off exposes your computer to security threats.

Can a VPN cause error 80072EE2?

Yes. VPNs sometimes block Microsoft servers or cause connection timeouts. Disable your VPN and try Windows Update directly. If it works, your VPN needs configuration changes or you need to use a different VPN service.

How often should I manually check for Windows Updates?

Windows checks automatically daily. You shouldn’t need to manually check. If automatic checks fail (error 80072EE2), use the manual methods in this article to force an update.