Windows Update error code occurs when your computer has problems connecting to Microsoft’s Windows Update server. The error usually occurs before you can actually download and install any new updates. Learn about two ways to fix Windows Update error code 0x80072efe.
What is Windows Update Error 0x80072efe?
To download and install Windows updates, your Windows installation must meet certain criteria so that Microsoft knows that you are downloading updates for a certified copy of the operating system. Oddly enough, this includes setting the date and time correctly on your computer. Without the correct date and time, you may receive error 0x80072efe.
You must also have a reliable internet connection to download updates. Firewalls, virus scanners, and other software installed on your computer can roam between your computer and Windows Update servers. Disabling Windows Firewall will sometimes resolve the error. You just need to remember to turn it on when you’re done.
Change date and time to fix error 0x80072efe
Log into Windows 7 using an account with administrator rights. In the lower right corner of the desktop, pay attention to the date and time. If they are incorrect, click them, and then click the Change Date and Time Settings link. You should now be looking at the date and time window. Click the Change Data and Time button.
Just change the date and time to the correct ones and click OK. Click OK on the Date and Time window and try Windows Update again. If that doesn’t work, or if your date and time was initially correct, skip to the second fix.
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Turn off Windows Firewall to fix error 0x80072efe
Click Start Control Panel System and Security Windows Firewall to open the Windows Firewall window. You will notice that your networks are of two types. One is home or work (private) networks and the other is public networks. If you do not connect to the Internet via a public network at home, we are only interested in the private network.
On the left side of the window, click the Turn Windows Firewall on or off link. The Windows Firewall Settings window opens. Find the section of the window related to your home or work (private) network location settings. Click the Disable Windows Firewall (Not Recommended) option. Then click OK and close all other open windows.
Restart your computer and try connecting to Windows Update again. Most people think that one of these two fixes makes Windows Update work again. If that works, remember to turn Windows Firewall back on.
If these fixes don’t work, you will have to investigate other reasons why you are unable to connect to Microsoft servers. To get started, turn off any running virus scanners and check if you have any other firewalls running on Windows 7. Turn them off one at a time and check if Windows Update is working again.
Sometimes your computer has problems connecting to Windows Update and returns error code 0x80072efe. Incorrectly set date / time or Windows firewall is usually to blame. Checking the date and time on your PC and temporarily disabling Windows Firewall fix the issue. If not, you will have to look for other reasons why your computer is unable to connect to Windows Update, such as additional firewall or overloaded antivirus scanners.
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