0x80072efd Error

This is a fairly common Windows Update error and hopefully this article will help you resolve the problems you are having.


What causes Error 0x80072EFD

This error may occur when access to the Windows Update site is blocked because one or more of the following conditions is true:.

# A firewall on your computer or local network is interfering with your connection to the Windows Update site.

# The Windows Update Web site is mapped to a specific IP address in the HOSTS file on your computer. Microsoft does not recommend the use of entries for the Windows Update Web site in the HOSTS file because the IP addresses for the site can change. NB: This issue has been reported with Internet enhancement programs (such as TweakMASTER DNS) that can add entries to your HOSTS file without your knowledge.

# The MTU setting on your router is too high/low.

# Proxy server settings are interfering with your connection to the Windows Update site.

# Norton Internet Security may be blocking access.

To try and resolve the error 0x80072EFD, use the following tips... After each tip test to determine whether the issue is resolved..



Resolution One

Test your Internet connection to Windows Update.

A simple solution but one that works in many circumstances!

Test to determine if your Internet connection is preventing you from reaching the Windows Update Web site. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Windows Update Web site to determine if you can download the Iuident.cab file:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v4/iuident.cab

If a file download dialog box appears, the problem is not with your Internet connection. Click Cancel. If you cannot connect to this link, and you receive a "Page Cannot Be Displayed" error message, your Internet connection is preventing you from reaching the Windows Update site..

ResolutionTwo

Reconfigure or update your firewall program.

Reconfigure or update your firewall program so that Windows Update is not blocked, and then try to update your computer again by using Windows Update. For information about how to reconfigure or update your firewall program, see the documentation that was included with the program, view the Help files for your program, or contact the manufacturer's technical support department.

e.g It my mean Opening TCP/IP 443 in both directions for this process: %windir%\system32\svchost.exe


Resolution Three

Remove Windows Update entries from the HOSTS file.

To remove Windows Update entries from the HOSTS file, follow these steps:

-Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Notepad
-On the File menu, click Open.
-In the Files of type box, click All Files.
-In the Look in box, locate the following folder:

C:\Winnt\system32\drivers\etc\

-Double-click to open the hosts file.
-Remove any lines that contain entries for Windows Update (http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com).
-On the File menu, click Save.
-Close Notepad.

I have seen the 0x80072EFD error resolved by this tip many times...
 

Resolution Four

Run the IPCONFIG /FLUSHDNS command.

To run the ipconfig /flushdns command, follow these steps:

-Click Start, and then click Run.
-In the Open box, type cmd, and the click OK.
-At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

ipconfig /flushdns

Close the command window.

 

Resolution Five

Add Windows Update addresses to the trusted sites list.

To add Windows Update addresses to the trusted sites list, follow these steps:

-Open Microsoft Internet Explorer.
-Click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
-Click the Security tab, and then click Trusted Sites.
-Click Sites, and then click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
-In the Add this Web site to the zone box, type each of the following addresses, and click Add after each address:

http://Windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://V4.Windowsupdate.microsoft.com
https://v4.Windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://Download.Windowsupdate.com
http://V5.Windowsupdate.microsoft.com
https://v5.Windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://V6.Windowsupdate.microsoft.com
https://v6.Windowsupdate.microsoft.com

-Click OK to close all Internet Options windows.

 

Resolution Six

Add Windows Update addresses to the proxy settings exceptions list.

If your Internet connection uses a proxy server, add the Windows Update sites to the proxy settings exceptions in Internet Settings. To do this, follow these steps:

-Open Internet Explorer.
-Click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
-Click the Connections tab, and then click LAN Settings.
-Click Advanced, and then type the following text in the Exceptions text box (all in one line):

windowsupdate.microsoft.com;v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com;
download.windowsupdate.com

Note If you are running third-party proxy or firewall software, see your product documentation for information about how to add these sites to the exception list for those applications.

Click OK to close all Internet Options windows.

Resolution Seven

Please contact your ISP's support for more assistance on this.

However the following articles may be of help:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/
using/networking/learnmore/ppoe.mspx

http://support.microsoft.com/default
.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283165

Enjoy!

Kind Regards

Marc Liron - Microsoft MVP (2004-2010)

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