If the Windows Firewall service is not active during Update Cache deployment, what needs to be done to resolve the issue?

In the scenario where the Windows Firewall service is not active during Update Cache deployment, the appropriate step to resolve the issue is to restart the Update Cache service. This action is crucial because the Update Cache service is responsible for managing the download and deployment of updates to endpoints. If it is not functioning correctly due to firewall issues, restarting this service helps re-establish connection and communication pathways needed for the deployment process to complete successfully.

Restarting the Update Cache service can prompt it to re-evaluate its connection to the network and the status of the firewall, potentially allowing it to bypass any issues created by a paused or inactive state. This step directly targets the service that is affected rather than other components that may not address the underlying problem effectively. It efficiently aligns the service with the current network and firewall settings to ensure that updates can proceed seamlessly.