Update Error: "Couldn't resolve host name"

[Flappie]

Good job! I see DCS queries related to Microsoft servers (aka.ms and catalog.gamepass.com), another related to an unexisting name (wpad.mynet), but nothing related to ED servers. It is possible that your game didn't look for updates when you did the capture.

 

Can you redo a capture while forcing the update? (to force the update, launch "F:\DCS World\bin\DCS_updater.exe update")

[341-Ces]

Good job! I see DCS queries related to Microsoft servers (aka.ms and catalog.gamepass.com), another related to an unexisting name (wpad.mynet), but nothing related to ED servers. It is possible that your game didn't look for updates when you did the capture.

 

Can you redo a capture while forcing the update? (to force the update, launch "F:\DCS World\bin\DCS_updater.exe update")

 

Actually, I did exactly the same thing.

 

Just to give it another try, I swithced off all network activities I can (gamepass, nvidia updater, etc.)

Open Wireshark and wait for 30 seconds,

Start update (via dcs_updater.exe update)

Updater error pop up at around 74-76 seconds.

Stop the record.

 

The new zip file is attached.

 

Thank you

wireshark2.zip

[Flappie]

OK. So there's no trace of DCS updater network activity. None.

 

 

The only thing I see is a DNS query that happens at the same moment you've tried to update. It is related to a Mark Monitor / Symantec / Akamai. It could look like some security software is preventing your PC to reach DCS servers, but you said you had already tried deactivating your AV and firewall.

 

 

Maybe the game tries to reach the Internet using another interface. Can you please attach a screenshot of your network interfaces? Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Ethernet > Change Adapter Options.

[341-Ces]

OK. So there's no trace of DCS updater network activity. None.

 

 

The only thing I see is a DNS query that happens at the same moment you've tried to update. It is related to a Mark Monitor / Symantec / Akamai. It could look like some security software is preventing your PC to reach DCS servers, but you said you had already tried deactivating your AV and firewall.

 

 

Maybe the game tries to reach the Internet using another interface. Can you please attach a screenshot of your network interfaces? Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Ethernet > Change Adapter Options.

 

Here you are:

[c0ff]

most probably the updater is blocked in the windows firewall - this will explain lack of network activity.

 

The updater only communicates with 2 sites:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/

https://cdn.digitalcombatsimulator.com/

[Flappie]

most probably the updater is blocked in the windows firewall - this will explain lack of network activity.

That's what I thought initially, but Ces says he has already tried deactivating his firewall and antivirus.

 

Maybe there are several firewalls?

Ces, have you already installed DCS on this computer in the past or is it your first try?

[341-Ces]

That's what I thought initially, but Ces says he has already tried deactivating his firewall and antivirus.

 

Maybe there are several firewalls?

Ces, have you already installed DCS on this computer in the past or is it your first try?

 

I don`t have third party firewall or antivirus software installed.

I only have what windows already has - and they are turned off.

I tried activating windows firewall, added dcs.exe and dcs_updater.exe to the safe list.

After that I tried updating again with and without firewall running. Still no joy.

 

My system is 2 years old. DCS has been running since then.

All started suddenly with update 2.5.6.52196 Open Beta (15.07.2020).

 

Even ED couldn`t find a solution yet. Strange...

[c0ff]

Just in case, the most recent public updater is always available for download here:

https://updates.digitalcombatsimulator.com/

At the bottom of the page.

[341-Ces]

Just in case, the most recent public updater is always available for download here:

https://updates.digitalcombatsimulator.com/

At the bottom of the page.

 

Yes I have checked twice that I have the latests version.

(Latest released DCS_updater is 2.10.3.45)

[Flappie]

Hi there. Are you still having this issue?

 

I have a new idea: you have two network adapters, WiFi and wired. Can you try disabling the one you don't use? (right-click > Disable) From your screenshot, I'm guessing you should disable the adapter called "Ethernet".

[341-Ces]

Yeah, actually I removed the wifi adapter (plug in usb device) and got connected through ethernet cable. Disabled all remaining Internet connection options.

But nothing changed.

 

Apart from that, I installed release version. It installed just fine. Tried to update one of the modules. All went okay, and can play latest release version.

 

Next step will be reinstalling beta version. If I only had time to do that.

[c0ff]

I installed release version. It installed just fine. Tried to update one of the modules. All went okay, and can play latest release version.

Then, most probably, something on the software side was blocking DCS_updater.

I bet you installed the release version into a different location and that (supposed) firewall rules just do not apply.

 

P.S. You cannot update a module separately from DCS. I guess you meant "installed one of the modules".

[341-Ces]

 

P.S. You cannot update a module separately from DCS. I guess you meant "installed one of the modules".

 

Yes, sure.

[341-Ces]

I have some news :)

From the web site below I tried to perform a fresh install of beta version

https://updates.digitalcombatsimulator.com/

 

That directed me to this website:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/world/beta/

 

I downloaded the installer but as it was just about to start the installation same error came:

"Couldn't resolve host name"

 

I'm confused, bacause release version was downloaded succesfully.

 

Any suggestion?

[Flappie]

Hi Ces. I'm thinking about some firewall/AV blacklisting of this file. I know that you had disabled both from the start of this thread, but I have no better explanation.

 

Can you please try renaming the Open Beta installer as "DCS_World_web.exe" and launch it?

[Flappie]

Also, if you press Win key then type"proxy" and press Enter, do you see any of these turned ON? (they shouldn't)

 

[341-Ces]

Hi Ces. I'm thinking about some firewall/AV blacklisting of this file. I know that you had disabled both from the start of this thread, but I have no better explanation.

 

Can you please try renaming the Open Beta installer as "DCS_World_web.exe" and launch it?

 

No good, the same error pops up.

 

 

 

Also, if you press Win key then type"proxy" and press Enter, do you see any of these turned ON? (they shouldn't)

 

 

Those 3 settings are deactive. (turned OFF)

[341-Ces]

News.

 

Suddenly I rushed to my Laptop and tried to install beta version. (It is connected to the same network)

When I double click the installation file Windows defender claimed that it was unable to connect smart screen. I clicked continue anyways and download started succesfully.

 

So I can tell the problem is 100% related to my desktop.

 

My plan is to complete installation and manually transfer all files to my desktop. Then see if it works.

 

I'll let you guys informed about the process.

[Flappie]

Good thinking!

The copy-paste should word. But you'll probably end up with the same issue when updates will be available: you won't be able to download them.

 

I still can't figure out why your PC can find DCS update servers for one program, and not for the other...

[341-Ces]

But you'll probably end up with the same issue when updates will be available: you won't be able to download them.

 

Yes.

This is exactly what happened.

 

One of my friends suggested me to log Windows Firewall blocking activity.

(Link: https://windowsreport.com/is-windows-firewall-blocking-port-program/)

 

I enabled the log, run the updater.

This is what I get. But I don't have any idea what is going on here. The dropped packages are probably related to DCS Updater. (but I am not sure)

 

Update starts at 17:40:02 local time and failure came at 17:40:38

 

 

#Version: 1.5

#Software: Microsoft Windows Firewall

#Time Format: Local

#Fields: date time action protocol src-ip dst-ip src-port dst-port size tcpflags tcpsyn tcpack tcpwin icmptype icmpcode info path

 

2020-09-08 17:40:02 DROP TCP 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 49769 49768 52 S 325805188 0 65535 - - - RECEIVE

2020-09-08 17:40:03 DROP TCP 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 49769 49768 52 S 325805188 0 65535 - - - RECEIVE

2020-09-08 17:40:05 DROP TCP 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 49769 49768 52 S 325805188 0 65535 - - - RECEIVE

2020-09-08 17:40:09 DROP TCP 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 49769 49768 52 S 325805188 0 65535 - - - RECEIVE

2020-09-08 17:40:17 DROP TCP 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 49769 49768 52 S 325805188 0 65535 - - - RECEIVE

2020-09-08 17:40:23 DROP TCP 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 49771 49770 52 S 1309267699 0 65535 - - - RECEIVE

2020-09-08 17:40:24 DROP TCP 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 49771 49770 52 S 1309267699 0 65535 - - - RECEIVE

2020-09-08 17:40:26 DROP TCP 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 49771 49770 52 S 1309267699 0 65535 - - - RECEIVE

2020-09-08 17:40:30 DROP TCP 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 49771 49770 52 S 1309267699 0 65535 - - - RECEIVE

2020-09-08 17:40:38 DROP TCP 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 49771 49770 52 S 1309267699 0 65535 - - - RECEIVE

[c0ff]

Looks like something resolves the site DNS name into localhost (127.0.0.1) for the updater.

[Flappie]

Then let's try what I thought wouldn't be necessary:

 

1. Open C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts as Administrator (with Notepad or Notepad ++)

 

2. At the bottom of the file, add these two lines:

 

91.134.1.104 digitalcombatsimulator.com

185.195.196.181 srv7update.digitalcombatsimulator.com

3. Save the file.

4. Try updating (no need to reboot the PC).

 

This way, your PC won't ask any DNS server for these addresses. I'm not even sure it will work (otherwise I would have told you about this earlier), but I think you should give i a try.

[341-Ces]

Then let's try what I thought wouldn't be necessary:

 

1. Open C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts as Administrator (with Notepad or Notepad ++)

 

2. At the bottom of the file, add these two lines:

 

3. Save the file.

4. Try updating (no need to reboot the PC).

 

This way, your PC won't ask any DNS server for these addresses. I'm not even sure it will work (otherwise I would have told you about this earlier), but I think you should give i a try.

 

It didn't work.

 

00000.000 === Log opened UTC 2020-09-08 16:14:12

00000.015 INFO : DCS_Updater/2.10.4.51 (Windows NT 10.0.19041; Win64; tr-TR)

00000.015 INFO : src-id: 9d01478b032a0eaaeb076fbab60e99c64e5310d0, lib-id: bae3744c50d64647d7c5ee5a1236d3ae42dbbb1e

00000.015 INFO : cmdline: "F:\DCS World OpenBeta\bin\dcs_updater.exe" --apply install SYRIA_terrain

00021.100 STATUS: Initializing...

00021.101 INFO : basedir: F:\DCS World OpenBeta

00021.101 INFO : dcs_variant.txt: openbeta

00021.102 INFO : DCS/2.5.6.54046 (x86_64; EN; WORLD)

00021.102 INFO : branch: openbeta

00021.103 STATUS: Connecting to update servers...

00042.153 ERROR: Conection to server 'www.digitalcombatsimulator.com' failed: Couldn't resolve host name

00042.153 ERROR: http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com replied HTTP -1

00042.153 STATUS: Couldn't resolve host name

00047.161 === Log closed.

[Flappie]

We need to make sure you have no rule blocking the OB executable in your firewall. Can you please show us what this command returns?

Get-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "dcs"

You can also filter all that's being blocked:

Get-NetFirewallRule -Action "Block"

Edited September 8, 2020 by Flappie

[341-Ces]

We need to make sure you have no rule blocking the OB executable in your firewall. Can you please show us what this command returns?

 

You can also filter all that's being blocked:

 

PS C:\> Get-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "dcs"

 

 

Name : UDP Query User{F2F25A42-EBA1-48A8-B213-82F1D63F6700}F:\dcs world\bin\dcs.exe

DisplayName : DCS

Description : DCS

DisplayGroup :

Group :

Enabled : True

Profile : Private, Public

Platform : {}

Direction : Inbound

Action : Allow

EdgeTraversalPolicy : DeferToUser

LooseSourceMapping : False

LocalOnlyMapping : False

Owner :

PrimaryStatus : OK

Status : The rule was parsed successfully from the store. (65536)

EnforcementStatus : NotApplicable

PolicyStoreSource : PersistentStore

PolicyStoreSourceType : Local

 

Name : TCP Query User{1FD791C2-E2C9-42E2-9676-902FAD98136B}F:\dcs world\bin\dcs.exe

DisplayName : DCS

Description : DCS

DisplayGroup :

Group :

Enabled : True

Profile : Private, Public

Platform : {}

Direction : Inbound

Action : Allow

EdgeTraversalPolicy : DeferToUser

LooseSourceMapping : False

LocalOnlyMapping : False

Owner :

PrimaryStatus : OK

Status : The rule was parsed successfully from the store. (65536)

EnforcementStatus : NotApplicable

PolicyStoreSource : PersistentStore

PolicyStoreSourceType : Local

 

Name : UDP Query User{149E085D-3E28-4678-8523-01A1308B8516}C:\dcs world\bin\dcs.exe

DisplayName : DCS

Description : DCS

DisplayGroup :

Group :

Enabled : True

Profile : Private, Public

Platform : {}

Direction : Inbound

Action : Allow

EdgeTraversalPolicy : DeferToUser

LooseSourceMapping : False

LocalOnlyMapping : False

Owner :

PrimaryStatus : OK

Status : The rule was parsed successfully from the store. (65536)

EnforcementStatus : NotApplicable

PolicyStoreSource : PersistentStore

PolicyStoreSourceType : Local

 

Name : TCP Query User{A0B0E768-59BF-4E4E-8F8A-15B7FCF75040}C:\dcs world\bin\dcs.exe

DisplayName : DCS

Description : DCS

DisplayGroup :

Group :

Enabled : True

Profile : Private, Public

Platform : {}

Direction : Inbound

Action : Allow

EdgeTraversalPolicy : DeferToUser

LooseSourceMapping : False

LocalOnlyMapping : False

Owner :

PrimaryStatus : OK

Status : The rule was parsed successfully from the store. (65536)

EnforcementStatus : NotApplicable

PolicyStoreSource : PersistentStore

PolicyStoreSourceType : Local

 

Name : {5C0BB100-7A13-46B5-88D2-90B66CDD33D1}

DisplayName : DCS

Description :

DisplayGroup :

Group :

Enabled : True

Profile : Any

Platform : {}

Direction : Outbound

Action : Allow

EdgeTraversalPolicy : Block

LooseSourceMapping : False

LocalOnlyMapping : False

Owner :

PrimaryStatus : OK

Status : The rule was parsed successfully from the store. (65536)

EnforcementStatus : NotApplicable

PolicyStoreSource : PersistentStore

PolicyStoreSourceType : Local

 

 

 

Can not run `block` command..

 

 

PS C:\>

>> Get-NetFirewallRule -Action "Block"

Get-NetFirewallRule : No MSFT_NetFirewallRule objects found with property 'Action' equal to 'Block'. Verify the value

of the property and retry.

At line:2 char:1

+ Get-NetFirewallRule -Action "Block"

+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

+ CategoryInfo : ObjectNotFound: (Block:Action) [Get-NetFirewallRule], CimJobException

+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : CmdletizationQuery_NotFound_Action,Get-NetFirewallRule