Windows Update Error 80072EFE

I'm still having trouble with this problem. However, over the weekend, it says it updated security updates yesterday. Only, when I go to manually check for updates, I get the same error. What gives, Microsoft??? I need more help!

Hello George,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I can imagine the inconvenience you are experiencing and will certainly help you in the right direction to fix the issue. However, I would appreciate if you could answer a few questions to narrow down the issue in order to provide you with better assistance.

1. Are you facing issue in installing one update or all of the updates?
2. Did you make any significant changes prior to the issue?
3. Are all the device drivers and Windows updates are updated?

If you receive Windows Update error 80072efe or 80072f76 while checking for updates, it might be caused by a connection interruption between your computer and the Windows Update servers. Close Windows Update, wait 10 to 15 minutes, and then run Windows Update again. You can also wait for Windows Update to run at its next scheduled time.

Since Windows Updates keeps failing and giving you the error code 80072EFE, looks like the update isn’t installed correctly the first time, or your Windows Update settings can’t detect the update.

If you are unable to getting the same update again and again, this problem may occur if one or more of the following conditions are true:

1. The Windows Update database is corrupted.
2. Antivirus software is configured to scan the %Windir%\SoftwareDistribution folder.
3. The Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) service does not receive a content link header.
4. A required system file is registered incorrectly.

Try the below mentioned methods and see if it works for you.

Method 1:

When you say ran fixit, do you meant the Windows Update troubleshooter. If no, I would suggest you to run in-built troubleshooter and check the status.

Open the Windows Update troubleshooterhttp://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Windows-Update-troubleshooter

Method 2

If issue still persists I would suggest you to reset Windows Update components and for that try to run the fixit provided in the following article. If you had already tried the same fixit before I would request you to run the fixit again.

How do I reset Windows Update components?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058/en-us#LetMeFixItMyselfAlways

Method 3

I would also suggest you to check if you are able to access Windows Update services and also make sure that the following services are started. If it is not started follow the below mentioned steps: 

a. Press Windows key + R, type "services.msc" (without quotes) in start run box and press Enter. 

b. Locate Windows Update service.

c. Right click on the Windows Update service and select Properties.

d. In Start-up type, select Enable.

e. Click Start under Service status.

f. Click OK.

g. Repeat the steps c to f for the following services also:

Background Intelligent Transfer Service & Cryptographic Service.

Additional information:

If issue still persists, try to follow the suggestion provided in the article mentioned below and see if it helps. Ignore the steps which you have already tried.

Windows Update error 80072efe or 80072f76

Hope this would help. If issue still persists post back with current status of your computer and result of the proposed suggestion, we will be happy to assist you.

Regards,

Thanks for your reply. To answer your questions:

1. I run windows update and after a few seconds, the error message pops up "Windows could not search for updates" and it gives me the error code. I cannot update anything.
2. I have not made any significant changes. My work computer is mostly for email, browsing, and running design software.
3. The last update that was made via Windows Update was 7/8, and noticed an icon at the bottom right on the start bar stating that windows update could not update. Then I received the error message when I ran it.

In addition, I have already tried Method 1 and it states that "Windows Update error 0x80070057 Not fixed" but all the other problems are fixed.

I have tried Method 2 and after running Fixit it states that "We did not detect any problems therefore no fixes were applied."

I tried Method 3 and Windows Update was already enabled. I did enable and start the Background Inteliigent Transfer Service...

Any other ideas?