The Windows Update servers are having hiccups

Topic

New Reply

Bogdan Popa at Softpedia has the skinny. It looks like many DNS servers are mis-routing Windows Update connections. At this point, it looks like the p
[See the full post at: The Windows Update servers are having hiccups]

4 users thanked author for this post.

Philomene123, PhotM, Elly, ch100

Reply | Quote

Replies

no problems using quad9 DNS.
Why would home-users want to check for updates whilst we are at MS-DEFCON 2?

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

Reply | Quote

Not everyone who visits this site determines their update position by what the MS-Defcon ratings say.

 

--Joe

8 users thanked author for this post.

Lugh, rc primak, Barry, lanceboil, Fred, ch100, admin, b

Reply | Quote

Not everyone is a ‘seeker’ and there is always Susan Bradley’s Master Patch List and the newsletter giving advice regarding patching.  Each to their own 🙂

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

2 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, admin

Reply | Quote

Yep. I figure it’s important to have an overall red light/green light system for folks who aren’t comfortable with the details, per MS-DEFCON, and an in-depth review of the patches, per Patch Watch.

Right now I’m doing a poor job of displaying that at the top of the site. When we get the whale swallowed, a re-design is next on the list.

3 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, GoneToPlaid, Fred

Reply | Quote

You have more than enough other stuff on your plate which you and the team are working on. I say “let it ride” until the forum merger issues are resolved.

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

MS-DEFCON doesn’t really matter for Windows Insiders 🙂

Reply | Quote

This couldn’t be the result of DNS Flag Day and the associated removal of non-compliant DNS info, could it?

Of course not.  🙂

3 users thanked author for this post.

Elly, ch100, Microfix

Reply | Quote

Today, perhaps. Tomorrow, absolutely not! 😁

There will be no impact on DNS Flag Day for any of our customers.

Reply | Quote

There is no need to guess about DNS. This page

https://routersecurity.org/testdns.php

links to a dozen different services that report on your current DNS servers. These services should work whether your DNS servers were assigned by the router, your computer or a VPN.

If you have this Windows Update problem, please check your DNS before and after rebooting your router, or, before and after configuring DNS on your computer.

Get up to speed on router security at RouterSecurity.org and Defensive Computing at DefensiveComputingChecklist.com

6 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, Elly, SueW, Norio, admin, Microfix

Reply | Quote

How does that help if DNS is working but can’t connect to Windows Update?

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

Even better, how does one connect to those sites to test one’s DNS if it’s not working?

1 user thanked author for this post.

b

Reply | Quote

Use another network, e.g. cell phone data.

Reply | Quote

Connecting to a VPN should also change your DNS servers while you are connected.

Get up to speed on router security at RouterSecurity.org and Defensive Computing at DefensiveComputingChecklist.com

Reply | Quote

The idea is to narrow down or pinpoint known bad DNS servers. And, to insure when you change DNS on your computer that it really kicks in as the router may over-ride the DNS setting in your computer.

Get up to speed on router security at RouterSecurity.org and Defensive Computing at DefensiveComputingChecklist.com

1 user thanked author for this post.

admin

Reply | Quote

My DNS (Comcast) was “good” on your 13 testers, but I couldn’t reach Windows Update for more than 12 hours (except via VPN).

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

Mis-understanding. These dozen services do not test if a DNS server is good or bad, they simply test what your current DNS server(s) are. If the problem is indeed with some DNS servers, knowing good ones and bad ones is helpful to everyone.

Get up to speed on router security at RouterSecurity.org and Defensive Computing at DefensiveComputingChecklist.com

Reply | Quote

So how do we pinpoint a “bad” one, which you said was the idea?

Reply | Quote

Comcasts primary is showing issues (75.75.75.75) with several major targets.  Many timeouts.

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 seems fine, as does Googles 8.8.8.8/8.8.4.4 . . .

Open DNS seems fine this morning.

CenturyLinks primary for my clients Colorado area seems fine.

Also of note is that GoDaddy’s DNS nameserver (for their domain reg customers) is doing great this morning, while WorldNIC’s is timing out an abnormal number of tests.

~ Group "Weekend" ~

3 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, Philomene123, admin

Reply | Quote

I only experienced problems with Windows Update not working on Tuesday January 29 between late morning around 10am and early afternoon like 2pm. Late afternoon or early evening around 5pm on that same day 1/29, Windows Update started working again.

So far no problems encountered with Windows Update today January 31.

The internet provider my family currently has is Spectrum, as in Spectrum cable internet.

Reply | Quote

I updated 12 VM, (XP, Win7, Win8.1, Win10 1803 1809 and Insidee Fast) between Tues and Wed. No problems here.

Reply | Quote

Interesting we had an issue accessing Office 365 (Through Web and Outlook) last night for about 30 minutes because of the DNS.

Reply | Quote

Yesterday I read online that this issue is causing problems with everything MS such as linkedin, Skype, et cetera.

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

I just updated the main post here with detailed instructions for changing DNS servers. It ain’t as easy as it used to be!

2 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, Elly

Reply | Quote

I don’t think that’s a DNS issue – especially not with Comcast. I read that at Bleeping Computer and Softpedia – but I’m here in Germany – and switching the DSN-Server to Cloudflare or Google doesn’t help.

Just sum it up within my German blog post Microsoft Windows Update-Service global gestört? (31.1.2018) – English article will be follow (and will be cross linked within the articles header). Article is here

Fear, we have to wait, until MS fixed their Update service issues. But maybe I’m wrong – don’t beat the bearer of the message 😉

Ex Microsoft Windows (Insider) MVP, Microsoft Answers Community Moderator, Blogger, Book author

https://www.borncity.com/win/

1 user thanked author for this post.

Elly

Reply | Quote

I just updated the main post to correct the Google alternate DNS server IP address and the Open DNS alternate server address.

--Joe

1 user thanked author for this post.

Elly

Reply | Quote

Woody, please be aware that there is an error in the main article.
Google DNS secondary is 8.8.4.4.
https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/
Also people, do not forget about IPv6 which is the preferred protocol out of the box.
I personally use native IPv6 (in addition to falling back on IPv4 for sites not supporting IPv6) and is running very well.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Microfix

Reply | Quote

This is a new one for me. I have Windows 7. How does one choose the server with Windows 7?

Woody’s explanation is for Windows 10. Thanks.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

Reply | Quote

Control Panel>Network and Sharing Center>Change Adapter Settings

After that, follow the instructions, it should look the same.

5 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, AusJohn, OscarCP, Woody As an _MVP, Elly

Reply | Quote

ch100 wrote:

do not forget about IPv6 which is the preferred protocol out of the box. 

I’ve deactivated IPv6 for that purpose and tried distinct DNS servers without success. I guess, it depends on the zone your machine is and which update server from the MS content delivery network is scheduled to deliver data – but maybe I’m wrong.

Ex Microsoft Windows (Insider) MVP, Microsoft Answers Community Moderator, Blogger, Book author

https://www.borncity.com/win/

Reply | Quote

I know that Comcast DNS servers were giving fits with Windows Updates last couple days. Finally switched to Open DNS servers and got them working again, also was affecting Defender updates as well.

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

So far no problem with AT&T internet cable connection.

Apparently no posting problem either.

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

Reply | Quote

FYI. There are four ways to get new DNS servers

1. Connect to a VPN
2. Modify your computer (as Woody shows above for Win10)
3. Modify your router
4. If you computer does Wifi, connect to a different Wifi network. If you have access to a phone that can create a hotspot (many can) then connect the computer to the WiFi hotspot created by the phone. Or, coffee shop. That said, a phone hotspot is not the best option for HUGE downloads.

Also, verify that the change worked by checking a couple of the services listed here

https://www.routersecurity.org/testdns.php

to see what your DNS servers are before and after.

Get up to speed on router security at RouterSecurity.org and Defensive Computing at DefensiveComputingChecklist.com

3 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, Woody As an _MVP, Elly

Reply | Quote

I don’t see how it can be a DNS issue when the only thing affected is Windows Update. Sounds like a routing issue.

Red Ruffnsore

Reply | Quote

I don’t have a reliable method to view global DNS history, but just stumbled on something.

Had a trouble machine with the above mentioned WU issue.

Did NOT change DNS settings.

Did run this command (elevated) in a CMD window:  ipconfig /flushDNS

WU began working normally immediately.

 

~ Group "Weekend" ~

4 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, Philomene123, b, Mr. Natural

Reply | Quote

Could be the fix if it is a dns issue.

Red Ruffnsore

Reply | Quote

FWIW

I began getting the error message several days on 2 windows 10 computers, about how they could not connect to windows update, after doing a routine disk clean on each of them using the windows 10 disc cleaning tool. I thought the tool must have done some damage that gave rise to the error.

After reading Woody’s post and the above comments as an amateur techie I did nothing but reboot my router. A couple of hours later there was no more windows update error message on either computer and one had downloaded and installed the January malicious software removal tool as well. It already had the other January updates but had missed that one up till now (for 1803, not 1809).

Reply | Quote

The quickest way to change to a different DNS than that used your ISP would be to connect through a VPN, as most operate their own DNS servers.

But as an alternate to my ISP based DNS, I have had good luck with Google DNS and OpenDNS. However, I will give the edge to Google DNS, as there have been one or two sites that I had difficulty connecting to while using OpenDNS. Speed wise, they are about the same.

Windows 10 Pro 22H2

Reply | Quote

IMHO it’s easiest to do it up at the router.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

Susan Bradley wrote:

IMHO it’s easiest to do it up at the router.

It is… except for all those with ISP-supplied routers that the provider has locked down to force use of its own DNS services (and sell your browsing data). 🙁

This is the case with Virgin Media this side of the pond. It relies on its customers not knowing how to change DNS settings on the router’s client devices.

Note: Comcast has apparently now sorted the routing issue to Windows Update in the last few hours and, again apparently, is laying the blame on January’s KB4476976 Cumulative Update (according to a post on TenForums).

2 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, Philomene123

Reply | Quote

Good point.

Does anyone knows how much Google DNS or OpenDNS are any better at not infringing on your privacy?

 

Reply | Quote

My bet is that an independent DNS service has collectively got less info on you than your ISP does. Your ISP probably has your credit history, including your SSN, your billing account info, where you live, and possibly more.  Data mining free for all!

All an independent DNS service can collect about you is your source and destination IP address, and the data related to your DNS lookup.  Not much to sell there, IMHO.

Windows 10 Pro 22H2

Reply | Quote

I am on Spectrum (TWC). I haven’t been having any issues with Windows Update. Perhaps because I have DHCP for IPv6 disabled in my home router?

Reply | Quote

AlexEiffel wrote:

Does anyone knows how much Google DNS or OpenDNS are any better at not infringing on your privacy?

I guess you mean Cisco’s free OpenDNS [208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220] but there’s also the free OpenDNS FamilyShield [208.67.222.123, 208.67.220.123] and OpenDNS Home which is also free but you have to sign up for. They all come under Cisco’s umbrella and, unfortunately, its stance on privacy is open to discussion.

For example, on the OpenDNS FAQ page is this statement:

5 Do you share any information? What is your privacy policy?

We take our users’ privacy is very seriously. No information will be shared with outside parties. You can read more about our privacy policy at http://www.opendns.com/privacy-policy/.

Sounds good, doesn’t it – clear and unequivocable, right? Now follow the link and you’ll find this:

Uses of Your Personal Information

We may use your personal information for the purposes of operating our business, delivering, improving, and customizing our websites and Solutions, sending marketing and other communications related to our business, and for other legitimate purposes permitted by applicable law.

There’s a lot more (including about sharing with Cisco’s un-named ‘partners’) but, all of a sudden, it’s now not so clear what’s a ‘partner’ vs an outside party… or another ‘legitimate purpose’.

Cloudflare DNS [1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1] has an even clearer privacy policy IMO:

We keep your personal information personal and private. We will not sell, rent, share, or otherwise disclose your personal information to anyone except as necessary to provide our services or as otherwise described in this Policy without first providing you with notice and the opportunity to consent.

Gooogle DNS [8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4]… well, Google makes its money from harvesting and selling data so…

For interest, have a look at this article from The Register about Cloudflare’s DNS service with a few comparisons to Google’s.

Finally, what’s the use of changing DNS if you end up with s-l-o-w resolution. Have a look at Steve Gibson’s free, portable DNS Benchmark to help you decide. 🙂

(Note that these are all for IPv4. For all I know Windows Update may use IPv6 for its DNS queries.)

Hope this helps…

2 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, AlexEiffel

Reply | Quote

Thanks for the great info.

Reply | Quote

Plus One for Cloudflare DNS. Still, my Comcast ISP supplied Router does not allow the change. So I set up Linux and Windows to use Cloudflare, knowing the router still uses the Comcast DNS.

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

I would avoid ever “signing up” for a 3rd party DNS service. There are free ones that you can just plug in the DNS server IP address and use the service anonymously.

Why give them your personal info so that they can easily match up your name and the DNS lookups that you perform?

Otherwise, unless you are using a static IP that is registered to you, an anonymous DNS service wouldn’t have much to go on as far as collecting data about you, other than the domain name you entered in the URL bar in your browser.

Windows 10 Pro 22H2

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

The only one mentioned which required signing up offers customizable web content filtering (keeps parents in control of what websites children visit at home), which is probably not possible without an account.

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

Yes, I had OpenDNS in mind when I made that statement, but I didn’t wish to exclude the possibility that there may be other providers not mentioned here that might request an account sign-up.

Note: you can use OpenDNS servers without signing up. You just don’t get the filtering features that way. Fine by me. Just plug the OpenDNS server IP addresses into your network config and off you go!

The same concept applies in a broader sense any time you give out any personally identifiable information. It can, and probably will, be used to legally data mine information about you.

Windows 10 Pro 22H2

Reply | Quote

An easy way to change to either Google’s or OpenDNS’s DNS servers is to use Tweaking.com‘s Change DNS Servers.

1. Choose your network adapter (ethernet or wifi) from the dropdown (a).
2. Select your preferred DNS server provider from the 2 on offer (b).
3. Click the Enable Static DNS button to make the change (c).
4. Click on the OK button which appears to dismiss the dialog.
That’s it…

(I watched using the Registry Editor and the change is effected immediately without any need to reboot, even though the settings are buried deep within the ‘machine’ hive.)

It’s very limited in what it does… but it does that very simply, no fuss.

Hope this helps…

 

 

2 users thanked author for this post.

Elly, rc primak

Reply | Quote

Susan Bradley wrote:

IMHO it’s easiest to do it up at the router.

Tried both, local in Network settings – disabled IPv6 – and in my router. Tried ipconfig /flushDNS. Waited several hours – my W10 V1809 test machine refuses to connect to the MS Update servers.

Weighting the error pattern, my guess is, that within the Update delivery network is something weak. Then it depends, on which update server a client will be connected, if the update service can be reached. But it’s only my guess.

BTW: Microsoft confirmed the issue – without further details at reddit.com.

Ex Microsoft Windows (Insider) MVP, Microsoft Answers Community Moderator, Blogger, Book author

https://www.borncity.com/win/

2 users thanked author for this post.

Elly, rc primak

Reply | Quote

UPDATE: Looks like the problem was solved overnight.

Reply | Quote

I don’t seek, but the automatic checking was down for two days; but it checked successfully for me this morning.

Reply | Quote

is there a possibility that the issue persist for certain users?
At random intervals, WU cannot connect to the server for 1 hour.

Just someone who don't want Windows to mess with its computer.

Reply | Quote

I have seen the same issue with inaccessibility of WU servers 4 days ago till 6 hours at night (GMT+3).

1 user thanked author for this post.

Zaphyrus

Reply | Quote

You’re not alone.  I also noticed a few short-duration MS server issues during the day today with both WU (AV definition updates) and the MS App Store.  Doesn’t appear to be due to DNS issues this time unless limited to Microsoft’s “third party” DNS service provider.  More like temporary “glitches” caused some stalling on the servers themselves.

Asus ROG Maximus XI Code board; Intel i9-9900K CPU; 32 GB DDR4-3600 RAM; Nvidia GTX1080 GPU; 2x512 GB Samsung 970 Pro M.2 NVMe; 2x2 TB Samsung 860 Pro SSDs; Windows 10.1809; Linux Mint 19.1; Terabyte Backup & Recovery

1 user thanked author for this post.

Zaphyrus

Reply | Quote

Arvyy and Columbia, you don’t know how that relieves me, I thought I did something to WU server.

well then, lets hope Microsoft fix that soon.  and thank you for replying.

Just someone who don't want Windows to mess with its computer.

Reply | Quote

Microsoft Says Windows Update Now Working Normally on Windows 10 (dated today)

BUT

Windows Update: Still can’t connect to the update service (only seven hours ago)

Reply | Quote

Did you try again using an alternate DNS server? The trouble this time could be with the default ISP DNS, or whatever DNS you have currently configured.

Windows 10 Pro 22H2

Reply | Quote

Already changed DNS, lets hope that was the solution, meanwhile i am monitoring WU

Just someone who don't want Windows to mess with its computer.

Reply | Quote

If you have problems try:

Did run this command (elevated) in a CMD window: ipconfig /flushDNS

as per @netdef post #318953

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

Reply | Quote

thanks Microfix, I will do it if my laptop cannot connect.   for now everything seems ok, but only time will tell

Just someone who don't want Windows to mess with its computer.

Reply | Quote

Update: I am still having Hiccups, guess I won’t  torment myself, for now I won’t touch Windows Update. and wait for Microsoft and DNS to fix it.

Just someone who don't want Windows to mess with its computer.

Reply | Quote