As it turns out, this issue is only occurring with the legacy version of the game – The Remastered Edition doesn’t have the same problem since it no longer relies on the deprecated Games for Windows architecture. Here are a few potential culprits that might end up causing the 0x80072751 error on a Windows computer:
Method 1: Force starting the Windows Time service
As it turns out, one of the most common causes that might end up causing the 0x80072751 error when the Games for Windows utility attempts to update Dark Souls is a disabled Windows Time service. But keep in mind that in some cases, this problem will occur even though the service is opened/It’s possible that it’s stuck in a limbo state (it’s neither opened nor closed) – In this case, you should be able to fix the issue by restarting this service before attempting to launch the game again. Here’s a quick guide on force starting/restarting the Windows Time service in order to fix the Dark Souls 0x80072751 error on a Windows PC: If you still end up seeing the 0x80072751 error, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 2: Rebooting / Resetting your router
If you previously ensured that the Time service is running, your next step should be to make sure that you’re not actually dealing with a router inconsistency (TCP / IP issue). If you’re using a router with limited bandwidth and you have several different devices, it’s possible that you’re facing the 0x80072751 error while updating due to the fact that your network device is being flooded with data. In this case, you should restart or reset your router and see if this will end up fixing the issue. We recommend that you start with a simple router reset (sub guide A) since it’s a less intrusive procedure that will not clear any custom credentials and settings. If this doesn’t work, you should go for a router reset (sub guide B) to perform a complete router reset.
A. Performing a Router Reboot
In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to sub-guide B.
B. Performing a Router Reset
Warning: Depending on your router model, this operation might end up clearing any personalized settings that you previously established including ISP credentials, forwarded ports, whitelisted and blocked IPs, and addresses. Before starting this procedure, ensure that you have the ISP login credentials on hand. In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 3: Enabling UPnP
If you previously made sure that the Windows Time service is running and you’re not dealing with a router inconsistency, the next potential culprit that you should troubleshoot for is a port issue. Keep in mind Games for Windows needs your NAT (Network Address Translation) to be open in order to establish a connection with an external server in order to install the update for Dark Souls. In case your NAT is closed, the exchange of data between peers using certain ports might contribute to the apparition 0x80072751 error. If your router is fairly new, chances are it’s capable of taking care of this issue automatically – All you need to do is enable Universal Plug and Play. This feature will ensure that any required port is opened automatically by your router. After you enable UPnP, restart both your PC and your router and launch the game again to see if the problem is now fixed. In case you enabled UPnP and the issue is still persisting, you might also want to check the Services window to see if the Universal Plug and Play Device Host service is enabled: In case you haven’t found a way to enable UPnP on your router model or it doesn’t support UPnP, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 4: Forward the Required Ports Manually
In case your router doesn’t support UPnP, there is also the manual approach. As some affected users have reported, you might also be able to fix the 0x80072751 error by forwarding the ports used by Dark Souls and the GFW utility manually in order to ensure that the Internet connection can be established. Keep in mind that the exact procedure that will allow you to forward the ports required by Dark souls will be different depending on your router model, but the ports that need to be forwarded will remain the same. Follow the instructions below to access your router settings and forward the ports required by Dark Souls in order to fix the 0x80072751 error: In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 5: Disabling Network Sharing
If none of the potential fixes have worked for you and you hare sharing your Internet connection via a wireless card and then bridging a device through your LAN port, keep in mind that the old Games for Windows infrastructure is notoriously unreliable when working with network sharing. In case this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the problem by disabling the network sharing your Network Connections menu. Several affected users have confirmed that after they did this, they were finally able to update their current version of Dark Souls via GFW. Here’s a quick guide that will show you how to disable Network Sharing from the Network and Sharing Center:
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