How to solve connection problems with Windows Update

To keep your PC up to date, Windows Update needs to connect to the Internet. When there's a problem with this connection, you'll see an error saying that updates can't be downloaded. Here are some things you can do to try to solve this problem.

Check your Internet connection

Before you try anything else, you should make sure that your PC is connected to the Internet. You can use a troubleshooter that will automatically fix some common problems with going online.

To learn more about going online, see Connect to the Internet.

Wait a few minutes and try again

Many connection errors are caused by temporary issues on the Internet. Wait a few minutes, and then try running Windows Update again. You can also wait and let Windows Update just run on schedule if you've turned on automatic updating. For more info about automatic updating, see Windows automatic updating: Frequently asked questions.

Run a troubleshooter

If you're still having trouble, you can run another troubleshooter that will automatically fix some common problems with Windows Update.

Go to the Microsoft Community website

You can find solutions to many problems by searching the forums on the Microsoft Community website.

Error codes this applies to

  • WindowsUpdate_80070008

  • WindowsUpdate_800705B4

  • WindowsUpdate_8007000E

  • WindowsUpdate_80072EE2

  • WindowsUpdate_80072EE7

  • WindowsUpdate_80072EEF

  • WindowsUpdate_80072EFE

  • WindowsUpdate_8024400E

  • WindowsUpdate_80072F76

  • WindowsUpdate_80244016

  • WindowsUpdate_80072F78

  • WindowsUpdate_80244022

  • WindowsUpdate_80090305

  • WindowsUpdate_8024402F

  • WindowsUpdate_8009033F

  • WindowsUpdate_C80003FA

  • WindowsUpdate_80244008

  • WindowsUpdate_C800042D

  • WindowsUpdate_8024400A

  • WindowsUpdate_80071A90

  • WindowsUpdate_8024400D

  • 0x80070008

  • 0x800705B4

  • 0x8007000E

  • 0x80072EE2

  • 0x80072EE7

  • 0x80072EEF

  • 0x80072EFE

  • 0x8024400E

  • 0x80072F76

  • 0x80244016

  • 0x80072F78

  • 0x80244022

  • 0x80090305

  • 0x8024402F

  • 0x8009033F

  • 0xC80003FA

  • 0x80244008

  • 0xC800042D

  • 0x8024400A

  • 0x80071A90

  • 0x8024400D

  • 80070008

  • 800705B4

  • 8007000E

  • 80072EE2

  • 80072EE7

  • 80072EEF

  • 80072EFE

  • 8024400E

  • 80072F76

  • 80244016

  • 80072F78

  • 80244022

  • 80090305

  • 8024402F

  • 8009033F

  • C80003FA

  • 80244008

  • C800042D

  • 8024400A

  • 80071A90

  • 8024400D

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