Fix: We were unable to connect to the update service on Windows 10

January 30, 2023

Sometimes you may receive error messages such as "Could not connect to the update service", "We'll try again later", or "You can check now". If that doesn't work, make sure you're connected to the internet. when updating a Windows 10 PC. This is a common problem and nothing to worry about with this issue. Although this error occurs when you do not have a proper internet connection, there are many factors that contribute to the problem. In this guide, we will address the issue with effective troubleshooting methods. So keep reading!

How to fix "Could not connect to update service" error in Windows 10

There are several reasons that contribute to the problem discussed on your Windows 10 PC. They are listed below.

Any externally connected devices are preventing your updates from being installed.
Unstable internet connection
Several essential Windows services are not running on your computer.
An antivirus program or firewall protects updates from being installed, thinking they are threat files
Conflicting DNS addresses
Presence of malware
There is not enough space on your PC to install new updates
Misconfigured files on PC

Now you know the reasons causing the discussed error. Follow the troubleshooting methods below to fix the same.

Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Methods

Here are some basic troubleshooting steps.

1. Turn off external devices

On collision Failed to connect to the update service. We will try Windows 10 later, check if you have connected any external peripherals or USB devices. If this is the case, you are advised to remove them to avoid electromagnetic interference exacerbating the problem. Follow the instructions.

1. First, disconnect all external USB devices connected to your computer.

2. Next, disconnect your webcam, printer, and other peripherals, and leave the most essential devices connected.

3. Finally, check if you have fixed the "Failed to connect to the update service" error. We will try later, the problem is with Windows 10 or not.

2. Check your network speed

To make sure everything is working properly, you should make sure your internet connection is in a stable state. Sometimes the Wi-Fi connection may not be fast enough, so in this case you need to restart your router or check the network speed. Try running SpeedTest to check the optimal network speed required for a proper connection.

Check if your Windows 10 PC meets the criteria below.

Find your network's signal strength and if it's very low, remove any obstacles in the way.
Avoid having too many devices connected to the same network.
Always use a modem/router approved by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and they do not conflict.
Do not use old, broken or damaged cables. Replace cables if necessary.
Make sure the wires from the modem to the router and from the modem to the wall are stable and free from interference.

If there are any internet connection issues, check out our Fix Network Connection Issues in Windows 10 guide to fix them.

3. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

If your computer has any errors and problems, you cannot update your Windows PC. The built-in Windows troubleshooter helps fix network connectivity issues, corrupted registry keys, and corrupted Windows components that cause us to be unable to connect to the update service. We'll try later. Windows 10 error can also be fixed by this tool. Follow the instructions in our guide How to Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

Follow as shown and thus fix the problems identified by the troubleshooter.

Method 2: Restart essential Windows services

Some important Windows services, such as Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Services, must be enabled on your computer in order to avoid problems connecting to the update service. Background Smart Transfer Services uses available bandwidth to install any latest updates, so your computer only installs any updates if no other installation is in progress. If these services are disabled on your system, you will most likely experience the error in question. Hence, restart the core Windows services as mentioned below.

1. Press the Windows key, type "Services" and click "Run as administrator".

2. Now scroll down and double click Background Intelligent Transfer Service.

3. Now set Startup Type to Automatic as shown in the figure.

Note. If the status of the service is "Stopped", click the "Start" button. If the status of the service is "Running", click "Stop" and "Start" again.

4. Click Apply > OK to save your changes. Check if you can install the latest updates.

5. Repeat all these steps for other Windows Services such as Cryptographic, MSI Installer and Windows Update Services.

Method 3: Change the Windows Update Service

If you have verified that the Windows Update services are running, but you are still experiencing that we were unable to connect to the update service. We will try Windows 10 later, then there is another easy workaround to fix update issues. First, stop the Windows Update service and delete the SoftwareDistribution folder in File Explorer. Then start the Windows Update services again. Follow the instructions below.

1. Run the Services app as an administrator.

2. Now scroll down the screen and right click Windows Update.

3A. If the status is not set to Running, go to step 4.

3B. If the status is "Running", click "Stop" as shown in the figure.

5. Wait 2-3 seconds at the prompt screen, Windows is trying to stop the following service on the local computer…

6. Now open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E keys at the same time. Now go to the following path.

C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDataStore

7. Now select and right click on all files and folders and select the Delete option.

8. Similarly, navigate to the specified path and delete all files and folders.

C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload

9. Switch back to the Services window, right-click on Windows Update and select the Start option.

10. Wait 3 to 5 seconds at the prompt, Windows is trying to start the following service on the local computer…

Finally, you have restarted the Windows Update services, thereby deleting the contents of the Software Distribution folder. Check if you can install the latest updates on your Windows 10 PC.

Method 4: Repair System Files

If there are any corrupted files on your system, you must repair them first before installing any updates. To resolve the "We couldn't connect to the update service" issue, it's recommended that you run the SFC/DISM utilities on your Windows 10 computer as outlined in our How to Repair System Files in Windows 10 guide.

Once the scanning process is complete, check if you can install the latest updates.

Method 5: Temporarily disable your antivirus (if applicable)

An antivirus package can sometimes prevent any of the latest updates from being installed on your computer. Antivirus software like Norton and Avast can interfere with any latest Windows update, and you are advised to temporarily disable any built-in or third-party antivirus software to fix this issue. Read our guide on how to temporarily disable your antivirus in Windows 10 and follow the instructions to temporarily disable your antivirus program on your PC.

After fixing Failed to connect to the update service. We will try later Windows 10 on your PC, be sure to enable the antivirus program again, as a system without a security package is always a threat.

Method 6: Disable Windows Defender Firewall (Not Recommended)

Sometimes the Windows Defender Firewall on your computer can prevent your device from updating due to some security reasons. If updates were blocked by Windows Defender Firewall in this case, you need to enable it or temporarily disable firewall protection on your computer. If you don't know how to turn off Windows Defender Firewall, our guide to turn off Windows 10 Firewall will help you with that. You can also allow an app by following our guide on Allow or block apps through Windows Firewall.

After updating your device, make sure you enable the firewall package again, because a computer without a security program is always a threat.

Method 7: Use Google DNS

Some users have suggested that changing the DNS addresses helped them fix the issue. Failed to connect to the update service. We'll try again later in Windows 10. Here's our simple guide on how to change DNS settings in Windows 10 to help you change the DNS addresses on your computer. You can also switch to any Open DNS or Google DNS on your Windows 10 computer by following our guide on how to switch to OpenDNS or Google DNS on Windows. Follow the instructions and check if you can install updates on your computer.

Method 8: Run a malware scan

Several Microsoft experts suggest that PC scanning will help you protect your PC from threats. If your computer has any viruses or malware, you cannot use external and internal hardware devices. Therefore, you are advised to scan your computer as instructed in our guide "How do I run a virus scan on my computer?".

Also, if you want to remove malware from your computer, check out our guide How to remove malware from your computer in Windows 10.

Method 9: Uninstall the latest updates

Any previous incompatible updates on your Windows 10 PC may prevent you from downloading new updates to it. Hence, you are advised to uninstall the latest updates that are being installed on your PC in order to fix the issue. We were unable to connect to the update service. We will try again later in Windows 10. It is very easy to complete this task and the steps are demonstrated as follows.

1. Press the Windows key and type Control Panel. Then click "Open" as shown in the picture.

2. Now click "Uninstall a program" in the "Programs" menu as shown in the picture.

3. Now click "View Installed Updates" on the left pane as shown.

4. Now find and select the most recent update by entering the date "Installed on day" and clicking "Uninstall" as shown below.

5. Finally, confirm any prompt and restart your computer. See if you can fix the update issue in Windows 10.

Method 10: Extend the system partition

If there is not enough space on the system partition, you will not be able to install new updates on your Windows 10 PC. Although there are many third-party tools to increase the system reserved partition, we prefer to do it manually by following our guide How to expand the system drive partition (C:) » in Windows 10.

Method 11: Clear Disk Space

If your computer does not have enough disk space to install any new updates from Microsoft, you will experience that we were unable to connect to the update service. We'll try again later. Windows 10 error message. Therefore, first check your disk space and clean up temporary files if necessary.

Step I: Check Disk Space

To check the disk space on a Windows 10 PC, follow these steps.

1. Press and hold Windows Key + E to open File Explorer.

2. Now click This PC on the left pane.

3. Check the free disk space in the "Devices and Drivers" section, as shown in the figure. If they are highlighted in red, consider cleaning up temporary files.

Step II: Clean up temporary files

If you don't have enough free space on your computer, which is contributing to the inability to connect to the update service issue, follow our 10 Ways to Free Up Hard Drive Space in Windows guide to help you clean up all the junk files on your computer.

Method 12: Reset Windows Update components

An effective way to fix the "couldn't connect to the update service" error is to reset the Windows update components if no other options have worked for you. All Windows update files are stored on your computer, and if they are corrupted or incompatible, you should be facing a number of annoying issues. To fix corrupted Windows Update components on your PC, follow our guide How to reset Windows Update components in Windows 10.

This simple process involves running a set of commands at the command prompt to restart all essential Windows services on your Windows 10 PC. After running all the commands, check if you can install the pending updates.

Method 13: Install updates manually

If all the other solutions in this guide don't work for you, you can still manually download the required update. The Windows 10 Update History webpage has a complete history of the updates that have been released for your Windows PC. Follow the instructions below to force updates to be installed.

1. Press and hold the Windows + I keys at the same time to open Settings.

2. Now click on Update & Security.

3. Now select the View Update History option as shown below.

4. In the list, verify that the KB number is pending download due to conflicting errors.

5. Here, enter the knowledge base number in the search bar for the Microsoft Update Catalog.

6. Finally, click "Download" according to your latest update and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

After installing the updates on your Windows 10 PC, check if the “Could not connect to the update service” issue still occurs. We'll try later. Windows 10 has been fixed.

Method 14: Update via Media Creation Tool

If you are unable to install the update manually, you can try installing it using the Media Creation Tool. This is the official download platform recommended by Microsoft to fix any update errors on your Windows 10 PC. Follow the steps below to do the same.

1. Launch any browser and then open the official download page of the Media Creation tool.

2. Now click on the "Download tool now" button under "Create Windows 10 installation media".

3. Run the setup file and click "Yes" in the User Account Control (UAC) window, if available.

4. Now click the "Accept" button on the Windows 10 setup window as shown in the picture.

5. Wait for the scanning process to complete and select the "Upgrade this PC now" option, and then click the "Next" button.

6. Wait for the Windows ISO image to download to your computer and click Accept.

Note. You need to wait until all pending updates on your computer are installed on your computer so that Media Creation Tool can update your operating system to the most recent version.

7. Finally, click "Install" to complete the process.

Method 15: Tweak the Windows Registry

Next, it is recommended to clear the Windows Registry path corresponding to the Windows Update download path in order to fix the error that we were unable to connect to the update service. We'll try later, Windows 10 issue. You should always be careful when handling the Windows Registry, otherwise you may lose your files. Follow the steps below to tweak the registry keys, thereby fixing the "Failed to connect to the update service" error. We will try later Windows 10 error.

1. Press the Windows key, type "Registry Editor", then click "Run as administrator".

2.Now navigate to the following folder path in Registry Editor.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate

3. In the right pane, find WUServer and WIStatusServer.

3A. If you can't find them, you can't delete the Windows Update download path. Proceed to the next troubleshooting method.

3B. If you can find the entries, right-click them and click Delete.

4. Finally, restart your computer and check if you have fixed the problem in question.

Method 16: Perform a System Restore

If you are not satisfied with any of these methods, the only option left is to restore the previous version of the computer. To do this, follow our guide "How to use System Restore in Windows 10" and follow the instructions as shown. In the end, your computer will be restored to its previous state, in which no errors will occur at all.

After restoring your Windows 10 PC, check if the “Could not connect to the update service” issue still occurs. We'll try later. Windows 10 has been fixed.

Method 17: Restart your computer

If your PC is dealing with severely corrupted Windows components, an effective way to clean up all those corrupted components and get your data back on is to restore your PC as outlined in our How to reset Windows 10 without data loss guide. Follow the instructions in this article and at the end you would have fixed the error in question.

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We hope this guide was helpful and that you were able to fix the error. Failed to connect to update service in Windows 10. Let us know which method worked best for you. Also, if you have any questions/suggestions regarding this article, feel free to post them in the comments section.