FIXED: Windows Update Error 80072EFE [Windows 7 Tips]

Quick fixes for solving Windows update error 80072EFE:

What Is Error Code 80072EFE

Almost all versions of Windows have some bugs and errors that need to be resolved, like error 0x80070570, error code 0xc00000e, etc. Windows update error 80072EFE is a particular error shown on the screen when the system can't update your apps and software. This error was primarily found in Windows 7, but it has been seen that Windows Server also shows this error. This problem is faced by users of all Windows versions instead of a specific one.

Have you ever seen a screen with a notification that Windows could not search for new updates? It is mainly due to the detection of error 80072EFE that normally occurs due to an interrupted connection between the Windows update server and your device.

Do you want to learn the best way to resolve this problem? Have you been fed up facing such a screen on your device during work? Don't worry because we have wrapped the 6 best fixes to solve this error and let you get your device back to its normal condition.

Solve Windows Update Error 80072EFE in 6 Ways

Every Windows user knows that some errors occur in the system from time to time due to different problems. Like all other errors, Windows error 80072EFE can be solved using different techniques. As this error occurs due to different reasons, you need to follow different fixes to find the right one. Here we have listed those fixes that we have found effective in the solution to this error.

Fix 1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows offer a built-in troubleshooter that is specifically designed to solve such errors. With the help of this program, you can resolve multiple errors and get your device back on the right track. Let us show you how you can run the Windows update troubleshooter step by step.

Step 1. Go to Start Menu. Search "Troubleshoot".

Step 2. Click on "Troubleshoot Settings". Open "Additional Troubleshooters".

Step 3. Choose "Windows Update". Then, run the Troubleshooter.

It will scan your computer to find errors and suggest solutions. You can easily follow the suggested solutions to find the right one to solve this error.

Fix 2. Delete CatRoot2 Folder for Windows Update

Sometimes, you might get Windows update error 80072EFE because of corrupted files in the system folder of updates. CatRoot2 is a particular folder responsible for Windows updates as it stores the specific Windows update package signatures. You can remove the corrupted or affected files by deleting this folder. To delete this folder, you need to follow a few steps mentioned below. 

Step 1. Press the Window button and R key simultaneously.

Step 2. In the box that popped up on the screen, type services.msc. Tap on the "OK" button.

Step 3. Look for "Cryptographic Services" and launch it with a double click.

Step 4. Choose the "Stop" option from the window. Once done, tap on "Ok" to exit the window.

Step 5. Again, this time, simultaneously press the Windows button with the E key.

Step 6. Type C:WindowsSystem32 in the opened window. Right-click on the CatRoot2 folder and delete it now.

Remember that you can't delete a file from the system folder unless you have adopted some steps before deleting it. That is why we have discussed a few steps just above the actual deleting process.

Fix 3. Run Network Adapter Troubleshooter

A common cause behind Windows update error 80072EFE is the interruption in the network. To find the troubles in the smooth working of a specified network, Windows offer a built-in troubleshooter. You can run this troubleshooter to solve the problem on your computer.

Step 1. Go to the Start menu and search for "Troubleshoot". Open the "Troubleshoot settings".

Step 2. Browse the "Additional Troubleshooters".

Step 3. Look for the "Network Adapter". Tap on the option to open the menu.

Step 4. Choose "Run the Troubleshooter" to start the check.

It will take a few minutes to scan your system and find the problems if due to this reason. You only have to follow the suggested ways mentioned on your screen to solve this problem.

Fix 4. Install KB3138612 Update Patch

This process is normally effective for users using Windows 7. You can try this fix to check whether it works for you. In this process, you have to manually install the KB3138612 program on your device. It will not take more than a few minutes to do so.

Step 1. Go to your web browser. Search for Windows Update Client for Windows 7 Page.

Step 2. Tap on the "Download Package Link".

Step 3. Confirm the Download by clicking on the button.

Step 4. Once downloaded, open the folder. Install KB3138612 using the downloaded installer.

This fix is pretty simple and quicker than others, as you don't have to deal with multiple keys to run operations. You can download and install the Windows updater manually from the Microsoft store without a problem.

Fix 5. Disable 3rd Party Firewall and Antivirus Software

It is common to download a third-party program like an antivirus to protect the data from unauthorized access. But this type of program can also harm your computer's performance. It is also possible that such programs lead you towards errors like Windows error 80072EFE. So, you should also disable such programs and check whether the issue has been resolved.

Step 1. Go to the Control Panel of your device. Look for the "Programs and Features" option.

Step 2. Find third-party antivirus programs or any other software.

Step 3. Click on the program name to choose that program.

Step 4. Tap on the "Uninstall" button shown just beside the name.

Step 5. Confirm the uninstallation by clicking on the window shown on the screen.

By doing this, you can uninstall that specific program and check if the Windows update error has been solved. But you should also have to reboot the system at least once before performing this check.

Fix 6. Reset Windows Update Components

As we all know, many errors occur in the device because of corrupted and affected files. Similarly, Windows update error 80072EFE can also occur when the updated files have been corrupted. So, you should also check it by resetting those files and checking the outcomes of your action.

Step 1. Launch Command Prompt on your system. Run it as an administrator.

Step 2. Paste these four commands in order and press enter after every command.

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver

Step 3. Now, simultaneously press the Windows button with the E key and go to File Explorer.

Step 4. Search for "CatRoot 2 and Software Distribution" folders.

Step 5. Delete the entire data from these folders.

Step 6. Again open the Command Prompt and paste the above-mentioned keys. Click the Enter button and then close the Window.

Step 7. Reboot the system to save the settings properly.

This is the last fix that you can do to solve Windows update error 80072EFE. This process will work if nothing has worked for you from the above list. You will delete your system's entire settings and reset them to save the new settings.

Useful Tips: How to Recover Deleted or Lost Data on Windows 7 or Windows Server

When your system cannot be upgraded for uncertain errors, like Windows update error 80072EFE, you may be at risk of data loss. If you want to keep your data safe in such conditions, use EaseUS data recovery software.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard has been designed to assist you in getting your data back with a high success rate. It doesn't matter what is the reason behind the loss of your data; it can restore your data quickly. Additionally, you can recover data from a flash drive/SD card/pen drive/other devices instead of a PC only.

You will also find its interface pretty simple and user-friendly. Such a simple interface won't demand you to be a technical person in the field. You can recover deleted files or data by following simple instructions from this tool.

Step 1. Select a drive and start scanning

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and hover over the partition where you lost data. This could be an internal hard disk, external disk, USB, or SD card. Then, click "Scan".

Step 2. Check and preview scanned files

Use the file format filter on the left or upper right corner to narrow the scan results until you find the files you need. Then, you can click the "Preview" button or double-click a file to preview its content, if you'd like. 

Step 3. Recover lost data to a secure location

Click the checkbox next to the file and click "Recover" to restore the lost data to a secure place. We recommend that you do not store the recovered data on the disk where you lost it earlier.

Wrap Up

Undoubtedly, Windows update error 80072EFE is one of the most common computer errors. We have seen a lot of users of Windows facing this problem often on their devices. In the above blog, we have discussed the best 6 fixes to solve this problem.

You should try them individually to find a suitable way to resolve this problem. Solving this error may take a while because you may not know the actual reason behind this issue. So, you should be patient and invest enough time to eliminate this error.

Windows Error 80072efe FAQs

In this part, we will answer some important questions that are related to Windows error 80072EFE. 

How do I fix error 80072EFE?

There are multiple fixes through which you can get rid of this error:

1. Fix 1. Run Windows update troubleshooter
2. Fix 2. Delete the CatRoot2 folder for the Windows update
3. Fix 3. Run the network adapter troubleshooter
4. Fix 4. Install KB3138612 update patch
5. Fix 5. Disable the 3rd party firewall and antivirus software
6. Fix 6. Reset the Windows update components

What is the error code 80072EFE?

It is an error code that is shown by the Windows update program. It occurs because of an interruption between the Windows server and your device.

Are Windows 7 updates still available in 2022?

Windows 7 is available to be used in 2022, but support from the mainstream has been dropped by Microsoft for this version.