0x80072EE4 Windows Update Error: How to Fix It

Restart critical Windows update services and try again

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

There are various ways to install Windows updates, and there’s also a chance thatsomething could go wrong with Windows update. Users have reported running into the error 0x80072ee4 when using the Media creation installation tool.

This error can occur with almost every Windows version, so if this sounds familiar, you’ll find this article particularly helpful in navigating this issue.

What is error 0x80072EE4 on Windows Update?

This is aWindows Update errorthat can occur under different circumstances. These include:

According to most users, they get aWindows Initialization failedmessage whenever they power up their PCs. As a result, most programs are not working, including all browsers. Strangely enough, the Microsoft Edge browser seems exempted from the 0x80072ee4 error.

Other causes include:

How can I fix the Windows Update error 0x80072EE4?

We recommend you first try out these preliminary fixes before any advanced troubleshooting:

1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

2. Restart the Windows Update service

Consequently, check with the BITS service and ensure you restart it too. The Media Creation tool may fail to connect because you were probably using a standard user account, and even after the switch to one with elevated permissions, you will need to restart the service and then run the tool again.

3. Disable your antivirus temporarily

4. Run DISM and SFC scans

5. Reset Windows update components

6. Perform a clean boot

Hopefully, the 0x80072ee4 error will eventually disappear after trying out our solutions. And if not, you can always get an automated fix by downloading one of theWindows Update repair toolsor a fresh copy of Windows.

If you have a different or better solution, please tell us in the comments. We’d love to hear what you’ve tried and how it worked for you.

0x80072EE4 Windows Update Error: How to Fix It#

What is error 0x80072EE4 on Windows Update?#

How can I fix the Windows Update error 0x80072EE4?#

1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter#

2. Restart the Windows Update service#

3. Disable your antivirus temporarily#

4. Run DISM and SFC scans#

5. Reset Windows update components#

6. Perform a clean boot#