Windows update error code: 80072EE2 - Windows server 2008 R2

Try the "fixit" from Microsoft from here:
http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_update/

What it fixes...
Checks Windows Update component configuration and repairs as needed
Resolves incorrect Windows Update data locations
Reregisters required services

Ok i just tried running the fixit from Microsoft. it said windows update needed fixing so i let it do the recommended fix but when I tried to re-run updates I got the same error message

Can you stop Windows Update service and go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and delete all files under this folder. Start the Windows Update service again and try to update.

teomcam - thanks, just tried that but still same error message.
There wasn't many files that i deleted in that directory, just 2 folders with few files in each.

I assume your date and time is correct because the error code indicates there is a connection problem between your OS and MS Update.
Make sure your firewall have exception for the followings
    http://*.update.microsoft.com
    https://*.update.microsoft.com
    http://download.windowsupdate.com

A while ago I also had same issue which I thought was my system was having issue. I had installed many fixes but did not work. Problem was persisting even new installations! You may try to install a test machine and attach to your network let's see if you can update it. I believe you won't be able to update.
Those days I had given up and noticed after a couple of days later it fixed by itself. Smae days multiple people also was having same issues on the technet forums. I think MS side servers had some connection issues.

Yes date and time is correct on this server and other servers / client computers.
I can try adding those exceptions to the firewall, although I have tried turning of the windows firewall so I would of thought this wouldn't make any difference?

Windows updates are working fine without any issue on other servers and client computers, its only this one server that has this issue.

Any other ideas on this please?

Have you ran the system update readiness tool??

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=1593

No havent run the system update readiness, will try this shortly and let you know results. the link provided is not for server 2008 R2.

But found correct download here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=14668

I ran the system update readiness tool and still getting the same error code when trying to run windows update

...i haven't reboot server since running he system update readiness tool so I could try that this evening, although the update didn't mention a reboot was needed

Have you looked over

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836941

Yes, ive done most of the suggested steps in that link, and tried the microsoft fixit

Ill have another read of it

I'm on the Windows Server 2012, and yes the updates taking way too long at 0%

after clicking on the stop download button, the error came up

Windows Update Error Code: 80072EE2

No proxy is used and no firewall is enabled.

Any solution would be greatly appreciated.

@ITSystemEngineer

You need to open up your own question

I had the same error.  I checked the proxy settings and they were not set correctly.  Once I corrected the proxy issue , windows updates ran fine.

Thanks guys

The Windows Update troubleshooter fixed my problem.

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9830262

@Luc FULLENWARTH

That has already been covered by the very first expert comment in this thread

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