Problems with Windows 10 update?

DampDog · 30 Jan 2019 at 17:20

Anyone else having any issues with windows update? I've been trying since around lunch time and keep getting the following message. ( I only tried it because I've not checked it in weeks)

"Error encountered

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."

There are no error codes associated with it. Last check was 09:04 yesterday.

DampDog · 30 Jan 2019 at 17:25

PiKe said:
If you're the only one affected, the old trick of renaming the software distribution folder is still valid.

I have no idea where that might be or what to call it. But if it doesn't sort itself out "I'll be back"

DampDog · 30 Jan 2019 at 20:39

Ah cheers for that. I'll give it a few hours and try again in the morning.

DampDog · 31 Jan 2019 at 09:35

Well I've tried again this morning and am still seeing the same error message.

I'm running.
Version 1809
Build (17763.292)
Installed 03/10/18

(Last successful check was on the 29th Jan 19 @09:04) However Update history shows last "update" as on the 25th Jan

January 22, 2019 — KB4476976 (OS Build 17763.292)
January 22, 2019 — KB4481031 Cumulative update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.7.2 for Windows 10, version 1809 and Windows Server 2019

Up to yet I've run 'Troubleshoot' which didn't flag any problems. I've also restarted the machine and re-run it and still nothing flagged. As far back as I can remember I've never had a single issue with 'Windows Update' in the past.

So peeps, what the simplest course of action? Simply renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder to SoftwareDistribution.bak or is it a little more involved than that?

Cheers.

DampDog · 31 Jan 2019 at 09:47

Thanks for that I'll give it a go a later today.

DampDog · 31 Jan 2019 at 11:35

Unfortunately that has not done the trick. It did confirm the services were stopped and restarted at the command prompt window and I've checked that it renamed SoftwareDistribution folder and created a new one. I also checked my Update History to confirm it had been cleared. However it's still giving me the same error.

Edit:- I've also re-run troubleshooter.

Any more ideas? Odd one I have absolutely no idea what may have made it fall over??

DampDog · 31 Jan 2019 at 12:15

HEADRAT said:
Lots of reports of issue

https://www.tenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/ (when I looked top 5 threads)

Cheers for the shout.

I tried running through the rename folder steps again. This time it doesn't seem happy.

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.17763.292]
(c) 2018 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>net stop wuauserv
The Windows Update service is stopping.
The Windows Update service was stopped successfully.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>net stop bits
The Background Intelligent Transfer Service service is not started.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 3521.

DampDog · 31 Jan 2019 at 12:55

Well from having a little read of that fingers crossed it's their end and it will get resolved in the near future.

If I want to put mine back "as it was"

Will this work from the command prompt.

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

rmdir c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution (will this delete the folder?)

rename c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution.bak SoftwareDistribution

net start wuauserv

net start bits

DampDog · 31 Jan 2019 at 16:01

Yeah, I am with BT.

DampDog · 31 Jan 2019 at 16:17

Is there something problematic with BT connections?

DampDog · 31 Jan 2019 at 16:52

That's worked a treat. Thank you for your help gentlemen(or ladies, User names are many and varied...

)
Much appreciated.

I'll probably revert to my ISP's automatic settings when the issue has been resolved. But for now I'm good to go. Cheers peeps.

DampDog · 2 Feb 2019 at 20:40

Yeah the guys here pointed me at that and it works a treat. I reverted back to my std settings and it worked yesterday (tried it several times) However today it's been hit and miss.