How to fix stubborn windows update error and behavior: "Error ecountered, 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."

Question

I am running Windows 11 Pro 23H2 64-bit. Recently, when I try to run Windows Update, I get the following error:

I have tried all the "fixes" suggested here, here, and here, to no avail.

Specifically, I have attempted the following:

1. Disabling all third-party antivirus/antimalware software (in my case, MalwareBytes and CCCleaner. I ran full scans with both products first before disabling them, just to make sure a virus wasn't causing my problems).
2. Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter did not work
3. I tried resetting windows update components and restarting but this did not work either.
4. Changing my DNS settings to point to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for primary and secondary DNS servers, respectively.
5. Deleting everything inside the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution after stopping wuauserv, cryptSvc, bits, and msiserver (and starting them again after rebooting my PC).
6. Running sfc /scannow (which indicated that there were no corrupted system files).
7. Running the batch file Reset_Reregister_Windows_Update_Components_for_Windows11.bat, which I downloaded from here.
8. I manually searched the Microsoft Update Catalog, downloaded the latest update, but it would not install, showing the error - This update is not applicable to your computer - but I checked and that is the exact update required for my system and windows version?
9. Tried an in-place upgrade but failed.
10. While running the command line app as administrator, I also tried the following command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and it did not work.
11. I also tried deleting group policy and restarting and that did not work
12. Finally, I noticed that when I go to the advanced options menu in windows updates settings and turn on the retrieve updates from other microsoft products option, it has this strange behavior where when I leave the advanced options page and come back to it, the retrieve udpates from other microsoft products is turned off again when I did not turn it off myself.

I have literally tried everything I could find on google to no avail. I attached the windows update log to see if anyone can help me here.

WindowsUpdate.log

Answer 1

Hello

"80072F8F" means "Content decoded failed".

Please check whether the time is correct. Disable the firewal temporarily, reboot.

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