Windows Was Unable to Get a List of Devices From Windows Update is an error message that often appears when trying to add a printer or scanner. Here's how to fix this error.

1: Check for Windows updates & Reboot

It might save you some time to reboot and try to add the device again. Pending Windows Updates can also cause this problems like this so verify there are no Windows Updates to install. It can often be this simple.

2: Rename the SoftwareDistribution Folder and Reset the Catroot2 Folder

We're going to rename and reset two folders. Open the Command Prompt or PowerShell as Admin and type in the following one line at a time:

net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
rename c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
net start wuauserv
net start bits

net stop cryptsvc
md %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old
xcopy %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old /s

Open File Explorer and navigate to Windows > System32 > and delete the Catroot2 folder. Reboot and try installing your device now.

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