FAQ

1 Why is the list of available packages empty?

SoftwareCentral gets the packages from the internet. The server hosting the SoftwareCentral web site must be connected to the internet and have port 80 open. Proxy servers must be configured to allow this traffic: set the proxy under Settings, in the Proxy Server and Proxy Server Port fields. Follow the error messages in the log if no packages show up in the list; see the troubleshooting table below.

The default address that SoftwareCentral uses for its update service is https://softwarecentralupdate.com/, so outbound HTTPS (port 443) must be allowed as well. Keep port 80 open too if your firewall or proxy still needs it.

2 The list of packages is showing, but I cannot click the Import button.

You have not entered your SoftwareCentral account details under the settings menu, or your subscription does not include SoftwareCentral Plus.

In Settings, open SoftwareCentral Update and click Open License Information Window next to SoftwareCentral License to see the license that SoftwareCentral holds. If the account details are missing or your subscription does not include SoftwareCentral Plus, contact your SoftwareCentral supplier.

When the list is available, select the packages you wish to import and click Import as Packages, Import as Applications or Import to Intune. See Download Packages.

3 Packages won’t download.

If you are using a proxy server, it must support the HTTP/1.1 standard and allow traffic between the SoftwareCentral server and our servers at http://softwarecentralupdate.com. The default address SoftwareCentral uses is https://softwarecentralupdate.com/, so allow that address too.

Proxy for other connections The proxy in Settings is used for SoftwareCentral updates, patch downloads and Robopack. It is used for everything else, such as signing in and Microsoft Graph, only when Use the proxy for all connections is ticked. The SoftwareCentral service must be restarted after you change that setting.

4 Can I download the packages without importing them to my SCCM?

Yes. All packages can also be downloaded from https://softwarecentralupdate.com. To download and import them from inside SoftwareCentral, use Download Packages.

5 Best practice

Set the proxy once, in Settings. Use the Proxy Server and Proxy Server Port fields, and tick Use the proxy for all connections only if the proxy must also carry sign-in and Microsoft Graph traffic.
Test after each change. Save your settings, then click Test connections in Settings. The test uses the saved settings, so a change that is not saved is not tested.
Restart the service after a proxy change. The SoftwareCentral service must be restarted after you change Use the proxy for all connections.
Allow only the update address. For the package service, allow softwarecentralupdate.com through the proxy or firewall, and nothing else that you do not need.

6 Troubleshooting

Symptom	Cause	What to do
The log says Failed to retrieve packages from SoftwareCentral Plus.	SoftwareCentral could not get the package list. The log entry has the reason. It says Invalid client certificate. when the certificate SoftwareCentral uses to sign in is missing.	Check the proxy and firewall settings in question 1, then read the reason in the log entry.
The log says Failed to retrieve packages from SoftwareCentral Plus. Make sure that no proxy server is blocking the remote connection.	The update service refused the request (HTTP 403). This is usually a proxy or firewall.	Allow `softwarecentralupdate.com` through the proxy, as described in question 3.
The log says Failed to retrieve packages in product family from SoftwareCentral Plus.	SoftwareCentral could not get the packages of one product family.	Check the proxy and firewall as above, then read the reason in the log entry.
The list is showing, but the import buttons are not available.	No account details have been entered, or the subscription does not include SoftwareCentral Plus.	Check the SoftwareCentral License window and contact your SoftwareCentral supplier (question 2).