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

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-01-31T14:19:21+00:00

    I have my own modem and router, rather than a rented one from Comcast. 

    So if they don't let you access the web interface on the rented ones, I could see where that would be the case.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-01-31T14:27:57+00:00

    You have web access, but no ability to change the DNS. I am not convinced it is merely this issue, though it does help some users. Last night I was able to download the above-mentioned build on two home computers. All day at my office (on Comcast) I could not access WU (a different computer). 

    There is another way to check for users in this situation. You can TETHER your phone to your computer's WiFi. That will bypass Comcast entirely and use your wireless carrier instead. 

    UPDATE: I am on Sprint and switched to tethering and I received the updates. obviously, this is not a great solution, but it is one for now.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-01-31T14:37:55+00:00

    Now, this is interesting -- I tethered and got updates. I disconnected from my phone and went back on Comcast and was able to contact the WU server (I did it numerous times).

    I did do an "ipconfig /flushdns" command before tethering.  

    Go figure.

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-01-31T14:57:05+00:00

    For those who want to try this workaround:

    I am using a Samsung Galaxy S9+ (but the steps should be similar for most phones):

    NOTE: I have unlimited DATA on my phone plan. If you don't, you should know what your limits are because what you download while tethered will count against your plan.

    In Windows Update: Go to "advanced options" and toggle the "download while on a metered connection" option to ON. 

    Run ipconfig /flushdns FIRST, then:

    1. Go to Settings
    2. Go to Connections
    3. Go to Mobile Hotspot and Tethering
    4. Enbable Mobile Hotspot
    5. Go to computer and change your wireless access to your phone (it will be obvious)
    6. Try WU again.

    This has worked on all three of my machines. After getting the updates, I reconnected to my standard WiFi (Comcast) and was able to reconnect to WU as before. I don't know why that is (maybe one of the updateas fixed something???) Who knows.

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-01-31T15:07:45+00:00

    That's almost as helpful as "turn it off and back on".

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