Error 0x80072EFE usually means Windows Update cannot maintain a connection to the update servers. Common causes include network, proxy, TLS, or cipher suite configuration issues.
Try these steps in order:
- Check the internet connection
- Go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
- Confirm the PC is connected. If needed, reconnect to Wi‑Fi or Ethernet.
- Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
- Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
- Select Windows Update and run the troubleshooter.
- Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall
- Open the antivirus or firewall app from the Start menu.
- Look for an option to disable or pause protection temporarily.
- Try Windows Update again.
- Re-enable protection after the test.
- Restart the Windows Update service
- Press Win + R, type
services.msc, and press Enter. - Find Windows Update.
- If needed, open Properties, set Startup type to Automatic, and click Start.
- Restart the PC, then go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
- Press Win + R, type
- If the error still continues, check cipher suite configuration
- This applies if network checks did not help.
- Important: editing the registry is risky and incorrect changes can affect secure connections.
- Open Regedit and go to:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography\Configuration\SSL\00010002 - Verify that at least one of these cipher suites exists:
-
TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384 -
TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA256
-
- If they are present but low in the list, move them higher in the order.
- Restart the computer after making changes.
- Then open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
- For general update issues
- Disconnect nonessential external hardware such as USB drives, printers, and scanners.
- If non-Microsoft antivirus is installed, uninstalling it temporarily can help with upgrade/update problems.