Home Windows 10 How To Fix The “net helpmsg 2182” Error Plus Probable Causes

How To Fix The “net helpmsg 2182” Error Plus Probable Causes

If you’re here, chances are that you’ve encountered the “net helpmsg 2182” error while trying to maybe update your Windows version or trying to access Windows Store.

First off, I’m sorry about that. But the good news is that the fixes I’ll explain below should help you solve the error and you’ll be able to update or access Windows normal processes again.

The service or process that’s actually impacted by the error is the BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service). Whenever there’s an issue with the service above, the error above could occur.

Causes Of The “net helpmsg 2182” Error

Before I launch into the fixes, I want to first explain below some of the associated triggers or causes of this error. 

It is important that you understand what you’re dealing with. This could greatly benefit you when you’re trying the fixes below.

1. Corrupted Or Missing Files

For folks who have experience dealing with system errors, the cause or trigger above won’t be surprising. 

Whenever system processes have their files corrupted or missing, errors start popping up left and right. 

Sometimes if there’s a glitch in the middle of updates, it can cause files to become corrupted and this leads to system processes experiencing errors like the one above.

You can usually solve this (if the error is occurring due to corrupted or missing files) with tools that scan your system for corrupt files and repair them.

2. Issue With Some Services

There are certain dedicated processes that are in charge of your system’s downloads and installation of Windows updates.

If these processes have issues, then the issues could be manifested in an error like the one we’re currently discussing.

You can usually fix this glitch by clearing the cache and restarting some processes.

3. Problems With Your Updates

The idea of updates is to fix the problems with the current version and enhance the good bits (or at least maintain it) of the current version.

Sometimes though, it doesn’t always work out that way. Some updates have proven to be quite worse than immediate past versions.

Usually, Microsoft will release other new updates when they find out that the recently released update is causing more harm than good. 

But in the meantime, you can still revert back to Windows versions where your system process worked well and there was no error occurring.

Fixes For The “net helpmsg 2182” Error

Now that you have quite a grasp on what the error is and why it occurs, I’ll now be moving on to the most important part of the article. Fixing the error.

The fixes are not arranged in any order of effectiveness because the fixes are cause-based. 

This means causes have corresponding fixes and if you apply the correct fix for a cause, you’d most likely get rid of the error disturbing your system.

I’m sure you’re probably asking how to know what fix is to be used. I’ll also be giving out a few tips on that below, so read carefully and don’t skip any steps.

1. Using Troubleshooter Tools

I’ll be explaining two troubleshooting processes. The first one will be for the Windows Update Service and then the second one is for BITS. 

The idea behind this fix is to troubleshoot and let the tool scan, find, and fix the issue. The troubleshooting tool is quite effective at remedying issues with updates.

The statement above should help point out that this fix should probably be used first if you experienced the error immediately after getting a Windows update.

While you may not always be correct, chances are it’s the new updates that are messing up your system processes and causing the error. Using the Troubleshooters should help clear the problem.

Windows Update Service

Use the shortcut keys (Windows + S) to open a search box and input troubleshoot. Then press Enter to run the search.

Open the Troubleshoot Settings menu that will pop up in your search results.

In the menu, search for and click on Windows Update. 

You’ll be able to run the troubleshooter by aptly clicking on Run The Troubleshooter.

net helpmsg 2182

If the problem is in the Windows Update process and is solvable, running the troubleshooter should ensure that your system is cleared of the error. 

BITS

Running the BITS Troubleshooter is quite simple too. Follow the steps outlined below.

You’ll need to navigate to the Control Panel menu. 

You can do that by pressing (Windows + R) to open a Run dialog. 

The input Control Panel and press OK to run the search 

In the CP menu, click on Troubleshooting. When the Troubleshooting menu opens up, then select the View All option at the left-hand side of your screen. 

How To Fix The "net helpmsg 2182" Error Plus Probable Causes

In the list that offers “Troubleshoot Options”, find BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Services) and click on it.

net helpmsg 2182

BITS troubleshoot menu will open up. Search for and click on Advanced. Then check the Apply Repairs Automatically checkbox. Then click on Next to launch the troubleshooter.

How To Fix The "net helpmsg 2182" Error Plus Probable Causes

This should help get rid of the error disturbing your system.

2. Resetting (Or Restarting) Windows Update Service

Sometimes bugs in the files of some processes result in errors. Restarting the service should ensure that the bugs disturbing the process are wiped out. 

You could probably turn to this fix if you were trying to update Windows and the error occurred. But it could work too for other causes. 

How To Reset

You will have to open a Run prompt. You can do that by using the shortcut keys (Windows + R) to open the prompt.

In the open prompt, input this text – cmd

Then press these keys at the same time (Shift + Ctrl + Enter) to ensure that you get administrator access.

Administrator access helps in ensuring changes to system-level processes.

If you followed the steps above, the Command Prompt (admin) should be open. 

The first set of commands is essentially stopping the service.

Now type in the commands below but be sure to press Enter after inputting Each command.

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptSvc

net stop bits

net stop msiserver

Remember to press Enter after each of the commands above and below. The next thing to do is to enter another set of commands.

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

After this set, you’ve still got one more set of commands to enter. The next commands are basically you trying to restart the service. 

net start wuauserv

net stop cryptSvc

net stop bits

net stop msiserver

Please note that you have to press Enter after inputting Each command.

This should help reset your Windows Update service and it should help get rid of the “net helpmsg 2182” error that’s disturbing your system.

3. Running Scans (DISM & SFC)

One of the major causes of this error (like I explained above) is corrupt or missing files. This fix or scans should help you find and repair such files. 

The scans are pretty much the same but with a key difference. The DISM scan uses a real-time Microsoft error database to find potential solutions for the errors it encounters. 

Running A DISM Scan

You will have to open a Run prompt. You can do that by using the shortcut keys (Windows + R) to open the prompt.

In the open prompt, input this text – cmd

Then press these keys at the same time (Shift + Ctrl + Enter) to ensure that you get administrator access.

In the Command Prompt (Admin) you’ve just opened, input the commands below. 

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

After inputting the command above, press Enter to run it. Then input the next command below and Al press Enter to run it.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

After the above commands are run, the “net helpmsg 2182” error should be fixed if the root of the issue was about corrupted files.

Running A SFC Scan

This scan is also quite useful. It scans for damaged files and fixes the files.

 You will have to open a Run prompt. You can do that by using the shortcut keys (Windows + R) to open the prompt.

In the open prompt, input this text – cmd

Then press these keys at the same time (Shift + Ctrl + Enter) to ensure that you get administrator access.

Enter the command below in the Command Prompt (admin) you’ve just opened.

sfc/scannow

Always remember to press Enter after inputting the command to run it.

The scan will now go on to fix your system’s issues and hopefully get rid of the error.

4. Updating Windows

This last fix is basically a common-sense fix. Most Windows updates are made to fix errors and issues. It is worth trying out new updates to see if the updates fix the “net helpmsg 2182” error.

Follow the navigation below to check for updates.

Settings > Updates & Security > Check For Updates

net helpmsg 2182

Updates will be automatically installed and this should help fix the error.

Conclusion

Fixing the “net helpmsg 2182” error is not totally easy but it isn’t as hard as you probably thought too. 

The fixes when used correctly should clear your system of the error and your Windows updates process or Windows store process should go back to normal working conditions.

Do you know of any other fix for this error? Please share with me using the comments section below.