How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80072efd

Windows Update process interrupts followed by the 0x80072efd error. In this article how to use the Troubleshooter utility in Windows to repair this problem. If that doesn’t work, you would have to modify contents of the Hosts file. Make sure no other programs conflict with Windows Update utility, also add Microsoft Update website URLs to the list of safe and authenticated sites.

Download the Diagnostic

There are certain situations when missing entries in your registry and registry corruption causes this problem. Try running a registry scan to identify if there are any such issues.

1. Click the button below to download and install the Diagnostic
2. Perform a Registry scan and fix any problems detected.
3. Restart your computer.

Estimated Download Time: 10 Seconds

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Use Windows Troubleshooter Utility

The pre-installed Windows Troubleshooter is a step by step wizard that automatically diagnoses your problem.

Windows 10:

1. Press Windows Key + X; choose Control Panel.

2. Click System and Security | Security and Maintenance.

3. Click the Troubleshooting icon.

4. Under System and Security category, click “Fix problems with Windows Updates” link.

5. Follow the diagnostic wizard.

For Windows 8.1/ 8:

1. Press Windows Key + X, select Search.
2. Type “Troubleshooting” in the Search Box.
3. Select “Everywhere” from drop down box (Windows 8.1), or click Settings icon (Windows 8).
4. Open that keyword from Search Results.
5. Click System and Security | Windows Update.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Modify Hosts File Contents

The contents of one of your Windows critical file have been changed. Here are some hints to fix up the issue:

For Windows 10/ 8.1/ 8:

1. Press Windows Key + X, select Search.
2. Type “Notepad” in Search Box. Select “Everywhere” (Windows 8.1), or click Apps icon (Windows 8).
3. Right-click Notepad icon into Search Results and then “Run as Administrator” icon at the bottom of the screen.
4. Now that you’ve Notepad opened up as administrator.
5. Click File | Open.
6. Locate the following file, click Open:

• C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\ETC\HOSTS

7. Click Edit | Find.
8. In the Find what text box, type “http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com” and click Find Next button.
9. Remove the entire line that contains that particular keyword.
10. Click File | Save, and then exit out of the screen.

For Windows 7/ Vista:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs | Accessories.
2. Right click Notepad, select Run as administrator.
3. Refer Steps # 4-10 under Windows 8.1/ 8 user’s section.

Clean Boot your PC

Make sure you don’t load Non-Microsoft startups that cause error 0x80072efd.

For Windows 10/ 8.1/ 8:

1. Press Windows Key + X, select Task Manager.
2. Click “More details” icon.
3. Click Startup tab and disable all items. To disable an item, right click that item and select Disable option.
4. Quit the program. Reboot.

For Windows 7/ Vista:

1. Click Start, type “MSCONFIG” in the Search Box.
2. Press ENTER.
3. Click Startup tab, disable all items.
4. Click Apply | OK. Restart your PC.

Flush the DNS

The process of flushing your computer’s DNS resolves the hostname to IP Address.

For Windows 10/ 8.1/ 8:

1. Press Windows Key + X, select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type following command:

• ipconfig /flushdns

3. Press ENTER.
4. After successful completion, exit Command Prompt.

For Windows 7/ Vista:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs | Accessories.
2. Right-click Command Prompt; select Run as administrator.
3. Refer Stesp # 2-4 under Windows 10/ 8.1/ 8 user’s section.

Add URLs to Trusted Sites List

Go to the list of Trusted Sites and add Windows Update web URLs.

For Windows 10/ 8.1/ 8/ 7/ Vista:

1. Press Windows Key + R.
2. Type “inetcpl.cpl” and click OK.
3. It opens up Internet Properties or Internet Options dialog box. Click Security tab.
4. Click “Trusted Sites” icon.
5. Click Sites button.
6. Add the following sites to Trusted Sites list box: (Enter a URL and click Add)

7. Finally, click Close | Apply | OK.