How to Fix Windows Update Error 80072ee2: 5 Proven Solutions

Windows Update Error 80072ee2 is a frustrating issue that can prevent you from downloading and installing important updates for your operating system. This error typically occurs when there are problems with your internet connection, proxy settings, or Windows Update components. Fortunately, there are several solutions you can try to resolve this error and get your updates back on track.

Solution 1: Editing the Registry

One potential solution for the Windows Update Error 80072ee2 is to edit your computer’s registry. Here’s how to do it:

Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box.
Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate.
In the right pane, look for the “WUServer” and “WUStatusServer” values. If they exist, right-click on each one and select “Delete” to remove them.
Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

After completing these steps, try running Windows Update again to see if the error has been resolved.

Solution 2: Running Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can help identify and fix common issues with Windows Update. Here’s how to run it:

Open the Control Panel and go to “Troubleshooting”.
Click on “Fix problems with Windows Update” under the “System and Security” category.
Click “Next” to start the troubleshooter.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

If the troubleshooter identifies any issues, it will attempt to fix them automatically. Once the process is complete, try running Windows Update again to see if the error has been resolved.

Solution 3: Deleting Software Distribution

Another solution for the Windows Update Error 80072ee2 is to delete the contents of the Software Distribution folder. Here’s how to do it:

Open File Explorer and navigate to the following folder: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
Select all the files and folders in this directory and delete them.
Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following commands:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Restart your computer.
Open the Command Prompt as an administrator again and run the following commands:
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

After completing these steps, try running Windows Update again to see if the error has been resolved.

Solution 4: Checking Official Microsoft Documentation

If none of the above solutions work for you, it’s always a good idea to check the official Microsoft documentation for the latest information and troubleshooting steps. You can find the relevant documentation by searching for “Windows Update Error 80072ee2” on the Microsoft Support website.

The documentation may include additional solutions or workarounds specific to your version of Windows or the type of update you’re trying to install.

Solution 5: Completely Resetting Windows Update Modules

If all else fails, you can try completely resetting the Windows Update modules on your computer. This involves stopping the relevant services, deleting their associated files and registry keys, and then restarting the services. Here’s how to do it:

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following commands:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Navigate to the following folder: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
Select all the files and folders in this directory and delete them.
Navigate to the following folder: C:\Windows\System32\catroot2.
Select all the files and folders in this directory and delete them.
Open the Registry Editor and navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate.
Right-click on the “WindowsUpdate” key and select “Permissions”.
Click “Advanced” and then “Change” next to the “Owner” field.
Type “Administrators” in the “Enter the object name to select” field and click “Check Names”.
Click “OK” to close the “Advanced Security Settings” dialog box.
Click “OK” to close the “Permissions” dialog box.
Right-click on the “WindowsUpdate” key and select “Delete”.
Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following commands:
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
Restart your computer.

After completing these steps, try running Windows Update again to see if the error has been resolved.