Windows 2019. "We couldn't connect to the update service."

Question

Windows 2019 Standard Version 1809 Build 17763.1817

Getting error when trying to run Windows Update - "We couldn't connect to the update service."

I have tried all the basic methods and ran the troubleshooter

Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows Update
Issues found

Check for Windows Update issues Detected
Resolve Windows Update issues Completed
Potential issues that were checked
Some security settings are missing or have been changed Issue not present
Check for missing or corrupt files Issue not present
Service registration is missing or corrupt Issue not present
Issues found
< Check for Windows Update issues Detected
Detects issues related to Windows Update.
Resolve Windows Update issues Completed
Resolves common Windows Update issues.
WaaSMedicService
Issues remediated by :NoUsoScanPlugin;StackDataResetPlugin
Potential issues that were checked
Some security settings are missing or have been changed Issue not present
Check for missing or corrupt files Issue not present
Service registration is missing or corrupt Issue not present
Detection details
IsPostback_RC_PendingUpdates
IsPostback: False
WaaSMedicService
Issue found by :NoUsoScanPlugin;StackDataResetPlugin
IsPostback_RC_PendingUpdates
IsPostback: True
Service Status
Problem with BITS service : The requested service has already been started.
System.Management.Automation.RemoteException More help is available by typing NET
HELPMSG 2182. System.Management.Automation.RemoteException
Service Status
Problem with BITS service : The requested service has already been started.
Page 1 of 2
file:///C:/Users/Fc-Admin/AppData/Local/ElevatedDiagnostics/2560293460/2021071020.... 7/10/2021
System.Management.Automation.RemoteException More help is available by typing NET
HELPMSG 2182. System.Management.Automation.RemoteException
Collection information
Computer Name: FC-S2
Windows Version: 10.0
Architecture: x64
Time: Saturday, July 10, 2021 4:14:25 PM
Publisher details
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Find and fix problems that may prevent background downloads from working
Package Version: 3.5
Publisher: Microsoft Windows
Windows Network Diagnostics
Detects problems with network connectivity.
Package Version: 4.0
Publisher: Microsoft Windows
Windows Update
Resolve problems that prevent you from updating Windows.
Package Version: 9.3
Publisher: Microsoft Windows
Windows Update
Resolve problems that prevent you from updating Windows.
Package Version: 9.2
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation
Page 2 of 2
file:///C:/Users/Fc-Admin/AppData/Local/ElevatedDiagnostics/2560293460/2021071020.... 7/10/2021

Answer 1

1.Make sure that your server connected to the Internet and firewall doesn’t block Windows update service port and address.

2.Turn off Proxy

3.Change your network DNS
Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4

4.Reset windows update components

Right click on the start button and select Powershell (admin) or Command Prompt (admin)
Write the next hit enter after each line.

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

After completed, restart computer and check for updates again.

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Answer 2

The server has internet access, there is no proxy server setup and I had already run all those commands without fixing the problems

Any other ideas?

Answer 3

Anyone have any other ideas on how to get windows update to work? Should I do an update manually and which update would that be?

Answer 4

Can I assume no one has any idea how to fix this?

Answer 5

Hi @Harlan Lax ,
A friend called me the other day and asked me to help him with the same problem. After trying various ways to "reset" the Windows Update manually and also trying the WURESET tool, I ended up using the Windows 10 Update Assistant

I think it took about an hour in total to download, install, reboot and update. But afterwards, the Windows update worked like a charm.