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
    2019-01-31T15:39:46+00:00

    Perhaps -- I did that before trying the other thing I mentioned and got nowhere. 

    Whatever the case, this is unacceptable. MS should be releasing some sort of announcement about it and let their users know that they are not going insane. I spent too much time on this issue yesterday trying to resolve it only to find out it is not me.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-01-31T15:34:47+00:00

    I think the real trick here is to flush the computers DNS cache ( ipconfig /flushdns ). I guessing that certain MS Windows Update servers are having a issue. If you flush the cache you stand a chance of getting pointed to a different one.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-01-31T15:11:22+00:00

    I don't understand -- I am merely offering a possible workaround. I can only tell you my results. On all my machines (4 - two laptops, a desktop, and a tablet) I was not able to get to the WU server while on Comcast. I switched to tethering. Got the updates. Switched back to Comcast and now I can hit the WU server with no issue. The last part makes no sense to me, but that is what happened.

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

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

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  5. 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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