How To Resolve Windows 8.1 Update Error 80072EFE

Reader Question:
“Hi Wally, I’m using Windows 8.1, when I try to update it, it stops with update error 80072EFE. My internet connection is working fine. I don’t know why the update isn’t installing right now.“ - Garrett A., United Kingdom

Before addressing any computer issue, I always recommend scanning and repairing any underlying problems affecting your PC health and performance:

Step 1 : Download PC Repair & Optimizer Tool (WinThruster for Win 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and 2000 – Microsoft Gold Certified).
Step 2 : Click “Start Scan” to find Windows registry issues that could be causing PC problems.
Step 3 : Click “Repair All” to fix all issues.

Setting up weekly (or daily) automatic scans will help prevent system problems and keep your PC running fast and trouble-free.

Wally’s Answer: This error is seen to appear when trying to update Windows on a problematic network connection. It happens even if you have no Antivirus installed. This is important because some antivirus programs have been seen to cause problems with the working of windows 8.1 due to lag in developer adoption of Windows 8.1 or because the user has an older version of the antivirus or other software installed under Windows 8.1

Here we will see some ways that this error can be resolved.

Problem

During Windows Update Error 80072EFE appears and the update does not proceed.

Cause

This error can occur when programs or processes interfere with the Internet.
The network is having problems.
The user is also downloading something else while applying the update.

Solution

Here are some ways that you can fix this error:

Restart Everything

It’s as simple as it sounds. Just restart your computer and the internet modem as well. After restarting them, try to open an internet browser and check to see if the internet is working.

Stop All Downloads

If either you or someone else is using the internet to download files then you can either use that download or wait for it to finish before trying to upgrade windows again.

Use Another Network

If you’re still not making any progress then try using another network. This is easy if you are trying to apply this update on a laptop computer running Windows 8.1. Just take it somewhere else where you can get a good internet connection and try applying the update again.

Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter To Fix Update Error 80072EFE

You can use the Windows update troubleshooter to try and fix Update Error 80072EFE and any other problems that may be preventing you from successfully updating your computer.

Press Windows Key + X > click Control Panel
In the Search Bar type Troubleshooting
Click View All to view all available options
Scroll to the bottom and click Windows Update
Follow on-screen instructions to continue.

I Hope You Liked This Blog Article! If You Need Additional Support on This Issue Then Please Don’t Hesitate To Contact Me On Facebook.

Is Your PC Healthy?

I always recommend to my readers to regularly use a trusted registry cleaner and optimizer such as WinThruster or CCleaner. Many problems that you encounter can be attributed to a corrupt and bloated registry.

Happy Computing!

Wally’s Answer Rating

Quick Solution (How fast can you do it?)

Easy Solution (How easy is it?)

Beginner-Friendly (Recommended for beginners?)

Summary: Every Windows Wally blog post is evaluated on these three criteria. The average of all three elements determines an "Overall Rating" for each blog post.

4.7

Overall Rating

Tags: 80072efe update error, clean registry, error 80072efe, error code 80072efe, fix registry errors, fixing registry errors, free registry fixer, free registry repair, how to fix registry errors, registry cleaners, registry error fixer, registry first aid, registry optimizer, registry repair, registry repair software, registry repair tool, repair registry, Update Error 80072EFE, Windows 8 update error, Windows 8.1 update error, Windows update error 80072efe

About the Author

Wally PhillipsWindows Wally is a helpful guy. It’s just in his nature. It’s why he started a blog in the first place. He heard over and over how hard it was to find simple, plain-English solutions to Windows troubleshooting problems on the Internet. Enter: Windows Wally. Ask away, and he will answer.