We are starting to get sensors in error for Windows updates with the following error.

Could not retrieve update data. Please make sure your WSUS is configured correctly. (code: PE205)

The servers in question are all Windows 2012R2. We do not run SCCM. The servers are updated using WSUS. WSUS is running on a Windows 2016 server. Running the following PowerShell commands on the PRTG server (in an Administrator PowerShell Session) yield no output.

PS C:\Users\administrator.PEASD> Enter-PSSession -ComputerName pe-mgmt
[pe-mgmt]: PS C:\Users\administrator.PEASD\Documents> $searcher = (New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.Session).CreateUpdateSearcher();$searcher.Search("Type='Software'").Updates | Sort-Object -Property Dates -Descending
[pe-mgmt]: PS C:\Users\administrator.PEASD\Documents> date

Thursday, January 25, 2018 1:49:26 PM


[pe-mgmt]: PS C:\Users\administrator.PEASD\Documents>

I am able to run commands remotely, which is why I ran date after the Windows Update Sensor PowerShell scripted command. The time to complete the command is just under 1 second when run via Enter-PSSession or when run locally on PowerShell on the target server. The server currently up to date on updates and this is properly reported in WSUS.

PRTG version 17.3.33.2686

Article Comments

Could you run the command on the target server itself? Please execute $searcher (just type it and hit enter) after the actual command to make sure there's something in the variable. Did you find this article already? It contains some troubleshooting info and how to migitate them.

Kind regards,
Stephan Linke, Tech Support Team


Jan, 2018 - Permalink

I'm getting different results between my servers that are reporting this error. Here are 2 examples. Both of these servers are reporting the error: Could not retrieve update data. Please make sure your WSUS is configured correctly. (code: PE205)

MGMT server

Running the command locally doesn't do anything. Running $searcher by itself gives the following output.

PS C:\Users\administrator> $searcher = (New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.Session).CreateUpdateSearcher();$searcher.Search("Type='Software'").Updates | Sort-Object -Property Dates -Descending
PS C:\Users\administrator> $searcher


CanAutomaticallyUpgradeService      : False
ClientApplicationID                 :
IncludePotentiallySupersededUpdates : False
ServerSelection                     : 0
Online                              : True
ServiceID                           : 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
IgnoreDownloadPriority              : False
SearchScope                         : 0

Running the command remotely via Enter-PSSession from any other server exhibits the exact same behavior.

...

Backup Server

The command runs fine both locally and via Enter-PSSession from our PRTG server.

Locally on backup server

PS C:\Windows\system32> $searcher = (New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.Session).CreateUpdateSearcher();$searcher.Se
arch("Type='Software'").Updates | Sort-Object -Property Dates -Descending


Title                           : 2017-09 Cumulative Update for Windows Server 2016 for x64-based Systems (KB4038782)
AutoSelectOnWebSites            : True
BundledUpdates                  : System.__ComObject
CanRequireSource                : False
Categories                      : System.__ComObject
Deadline                        : 9/14/2017 8:00:00 AM
DeltaCompressedContentAvailable : True
DeltaCompressedContentPreferred : True
Description                     : A security issue has been identified in a Microsoft software product that could
                                  affect your system. You can help protect your system by installing this update from
                                  Microsoft. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update,
                                  see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article. After you install this update,
                                  you may have to restart your system.
EulaAccepted                    : True
EulaText                        :
HandlerID                       :
Identity                        : System.__ComObject
Image                           :
InstallationBehavior            : System.__ComObject
IsBeta                          : False
IsDownloaded                    : True
IsHidden                        : False
IsInstalled                     : True
IsMandatory                     : False
IsUninstallable                 : True
Languages                       : System.__ComObject
LastDeploymentChangeTime        : 9/13/2017 12:00:00 AM
MaxDownloadSize                 : 1232301018
MinDownloadSize                 : 1232301018
MoreInfoUrls                    : System.__ComObject
MsrcSeverity                    : Critical
RecommendedCpuSpeed             : 0
RecommendedHardDiskSpace        : 0
RecommendedMemory               : 0
ReleaseNotes                    :
SecurityBulletinIDs             : System.__ComObject
SupersededUpdateIDs             : System.__ComObject
SupportUrl                      : http://support.microsoft.com/help/4038782
Type                            : 1
UninstallationNotes             : This software update can be removed by selecting View installed updates in the
                                  Programs and Features Control Panel.
UninstallationBehavior          : System.__ComObject
UninstallationSteps             : System.__ComObject
KBArticleIDs                    : System.__ComObject
DeploymentAction                : 1
DownloadPriority                : 2
DownloadContents                : System.__ComObject
RebootRequired                  : False
IsPresent                       : True
CveIDs                          : System.__ComObject
BrowseOnly                      : False
PerUser                         : False
AutoSelection                   : 0
AutoDownload                    : 0

Title                           : 2017-08 Update for Windows Server 2016 for x64-based Systems (KB4035631)
AutoSelectOnWebSites            : True
BundledUpdates                  : System.__ComObject
CanRequireSource                : False
Categories                      : System.__ComObject
Deadline                        : 9/14/2017 8:00:00 AM
DeltaCompressedContentAvailable : True
DeltaCompressedContentPreferred : True
Description                     : Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the
                                  issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base
                                  article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart
                                  your computer.
EulaAccepted                    : True
EulaText                        :
HandlerID                       :
Identity                        : System.__ComObject
Image                           :
InstallationBehavior            : System.__ComObject
IsBeta                          : False
IsDownloaded                    : True
IsHidden                        : False
IsInstalled                     : True
IsMandatory                     : False
IsUninstallable                 : True
Languages                       : System.__ComObject
LastDeploymentChangeTime        : 9/13/2017 12:00:00 AM
MaxDownloadSize                 : 11829763
MinDownloadSize                 : 11829763
MoreInfoUrls                    : System.__ComObject
MsrcSeverity                    :
RecommendedCpuSpeed             : 0
RecommendedHardDiskSpace        : 0
RecommendedMemory               : 0
ReleaseNotes                    :
SecurityBulletinIDs             : System.__ComObject
SupersededUpdateIDs             : System.__ComObject
SupportUrl                      : http://support.microsoft.com/help/4035631
Type                            : 1
UninstallationNotes             : Not Uninstallable
UninstallationBehavior          : System.__ComObject
UninstallationSteps             : System.__ComObject
KBArticleIDs                    : System.__ComObject
DeploymentAction                : 1
DownloadPriority                : 2
DownloadContents                : System.__ComObject
RebootRequired                  : False
IsPresent                       : True
CveIDs                          : System.__ComObject
BrowseOnly                      : False
PerUser                         : False
AutoSelection                   : 0
AutoDownload                    : 0

Remotely executing the same from our PRTG server via Enter-PSSession to the backup server gives the same result.


Feb, 2018 - Permalink

Another update, it looks like whatever the issues was, it is resolved not that I've updated to 18.1.37.12158+


Feb, 2018 - Permalink

So it's working now? Nice! :)

Kind regards
Stephan Linke, Tech Support Team


Feb, 2018 - Permalink