Windows UPDATE "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."

Anonymous
2019-01-31T02:56:05+00:00

What were the steps? I just updated THREE computers and NONE of them are able to connect to Windows Update. I did an "in-place upgrade" on one of them and it did not resolve the problem. 

MESSAGE: "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."

UPDATE is KB4476976 (OS Build 17763.292)

And, yes, I am connected to the internet. This is very annoying. If it is an issue/bug (and it must be) how does MS plan on rolling out a fix if users cannot connect to Windows Update? I have tried all the known fixes out there (stop/start services related to WU, run various commands in an elevated command prompt, perform an in-place upgrade, you name it. Nothing works).

Thanks.

William Hill

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

150 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2019-02-01T19:04:22+00:00

    You should try the options offered. Many users have reported that after they do so they are able to get updates normally again. That was my experience on four machines.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-02-01T19:31:23+00:00

    I have had the same issue since Tues. 29 Feb 2019. I am out of New York City and no matter all the work I tried. (manual updates, rebuilds, other DNS from other providers, ipconfig /flushdns, arp -d) I have found a way to get them by USB teathering my Verizon phone to my laptop. I though this was my issue until I did this. Once the updates started to download I knew this was a bigger issue. I now am to check for updates without failing.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-02-01T20:28:20+00:00

    Yes, I will try some of the suggestions and have contacted BT to make them aware of the problems and the fact that they are being discussed on this and other forums.

    However, I am not going to try the more technical workarounds because I would not know what I was doing or be able to keep track of any unintended consequences !

    I tried resetting the modem, on the advice of BT, which resulted in one of my machines updating but not the others.

    For all I know, that might have been a coincidence, I have no idea.

    It seems that MS have admitted that there is a problem at their end anyway, which is the main thing to know, from my point of view.

    Glad that I am not a large business, running scores of machines !

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2019-02-02T09:58:52+00:00

    I'm on TalkTalk in the UK and suffered this problem for several days (I think starting on the 28th Jan).

    Doing the ipconfig /flushdns and then connecting via my mobile phone's hotspot (GiffGaff/O2 network) allowed my PC to connect to the Windows Update Server.

    I've now switched my internet connection back to TalkTalk and strangely the PC can still contact the Windows Update Server over this connection too.

    Thanks for the tip.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2019-02-02T10:09:43+00:00

    I had the same issue with Microsoft Store and Updates since yesterday. I spent hours trying all the troubleshooting advice including connecting through my phone and nothing worked. This morning I decided to restart my router (BT fibre) and.... everything works!!!

    Hope thissolves your problems.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments