Latest Windows Update Blocks Internet Access for Some

By Matthew Humphries - PC Magazine


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Microsoft continues to struggle to update Windows 10 without causing problems for some users. Who can forget the massive Windows 10 Update failure back in October, which put many PCs into a never ending reboot cycle. Now we have a new issue with a new update: it's blocking access to the Internet.

The update causing the issue looks to be KB3201845, which includes 11 bug fixes. According to the BBC, once installed it seems to be indiscriminately blocking access to the Internet regardless of the equipment you use to do so.

Unfortunately, the advice on how to try and fix the issue can be less than helpful. A restart is the first option to try, but if that doesn't work then ISPs and Microsoft are advising users to "visit our website" for further help. That's a difficult ask if your machine is offline.

The Microsoft support site suggests generating a wireless network report, checking your cable modem and ISP, and updating your network adapter driver. That last one requires, you guessed it, searching the Internet for updated driver software. And it's probably not the issue if you were using that same adapter to access the Internet to download the Windows Update in the first place.

According to Windowsreport, the KB3201845 update is causing quite a few problems. Some users can't even install it (lucky them!), it can result in reboot cycles just like the last massive update failure, and it can break all of Google's products on your machine. Even Microsoft's own Edge browser can stop working properly.

If you have yet to install KB3201845, I'd suggest waiting to do so. It seems very likely Microsoft will end up releasing another update that replaces it and solves the issues KB3201845 introduced.