WSUS Content directory is not accessible

Question

I have added WSUS role in my server but it is not attempting post installtion

when I do post installation is show :-

The WSUS content directory is not accessible.

System.Net.WebException: The remote server returned an error: (503) Server Unavailable.

at System.Net.HttpWebRequest.GetResponse()

at Microsoft.UpdateServices.Internal.HealthMonitoring.HmtWebServices.CheckContentDirWebAccess(EventLoggingType type, HealthEventLogger logger)

Answer 1

The error you're encountering during the post-installation of the Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) role indicates that the WSUS content directory is not accessible and the server is returning a 503 (Service Unavailable) error. This issue can stem from various factors such as IIS configuration issues, permissions problems, or network-related issues. Here are steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

1. Check IIS (Internet Information Services)

WSUS relies on IIS to serve content. Ensure that IIS is properly configured and running:

1. Open IIS Manager:
   • Go to Start > Administrative Tools > Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
2. Check Application Pools:
   • In the left pane, expand your server node and click on Application Pools.
   • Ensure the WsusPool is started. If it is stopped, right-click on it and choose Start.
   • Check the status of other application pools required by WSUS, such as WSUS Administration.
3. Check Sites:
   • In the left pane, expand Sites and select WSUS Administration.
   • Ensure the site is running. If it is stopped, right-click and choose Manage Website > Start.

2. Increase Private Memory Limit for WsusPool

Sometimes the WsusPool application pool may stop due to insufficient memory. Increasing the private memory limit can help:

1. Right-click on WsusPool in IIS Manager and select Advanced Settings.
2. Locate the Private Memory Limit (KB) setting and increase it to a higher value, such as 4096000 (4GB).

3. Check WSUS Content Directory Permissions

Ensure that the WSUS content directory has the correct permissions:

1. Navigate to the WSUS content directory (usually C:\WSUS\WsusContent).
2. Right-click on the WsusContent folder and select Properties.
3. Go to the Security tab and ensure that the following accounts have appropriate permissions:
   • NETWORK SERVICE: Read & Execute, List Folder Contents, Read
   • IIS_IUSRS: Read & Execute, List Folder Contents, Read

4. Check HTTP Activation

Ensure that HTTP Activation is enabled for .NET Framework features:

1. Open Server Manager.
2. Go to Manage > Add Roles and Features.
3. Navigate to the Features section.
4. Expand .NET Framework 4.x Features and ensure HTTP Activation is checked.

5. Restart IIS and WSUS Services

Restarting IIS and WSUS services can sometimes resolve the issue:

1. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator.
2. Run the following commands:

   
      iisreset
   
      net stop wsusservice
   
      net start wsusservice
   
   

6. Check Firewall and Proxy Settings

Ensure that firewall or proxy settings are not blocking the WSUS server from accessing the internet or the WSUS content directory:

1. Check Windows Firewall settings to ensure that WSUS-related traffic is allowed.
2. If using a proxy, ensure that proxy settings are correctly configured in the WSUS server.

7. Review Event Logs

Review the Event Viewer for any related errors that might give more insight into the issue:

1. Open Event Viewer.
2. Navigate to Windows Logs > Application and System.
3. Look for any errors or warnings related to WSUS or IIS.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue preventing the WSUS post-installation task from completing successfully. If the problem persists, consider consulting the official WSUS documentation or seeking further assistance from Microsoft support.

Answer 2

Remove and Reinstall WSUS - use my guide - it's the most comprehensive to make sure you don't miss any steps.

https://www.ajtek.ca/wsus/how-to-remove-wsus-completely-and-reinstall-it/