"There was a network error while downloading the update. Please try again later or connect to a different network." when performing security updates

I often receive the following error message when attempting to perform Android security updates: > There was a network error while downloading the update. Please try again later or connect to a different network. In researching this error message, it is apparent that many other people have been reporting the same issue for years: - Update cannot be downloaded on specific networks : GooglePixel https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/10whijh/update_cannot_be_downloaded_on_specific_networks/ - Not able to update to android 15. Shows error in network while downloading although connected to WiFi - Google Pixel Community https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/322921191/not-able-to-update-to-android-15-shows-error-in-network-while-downloading-although-connected-towifi - Pixel 7 System Update Fails : GooglePixel https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/ycejcz/pixel_7_system_update_fails/ - There was a network error while downloading the update. Please try again later or connect to a diffe - Google Pixel Community https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/205161477/there-was-a-network-error-while-downloading-the-update-please-try-again-later-or-connect-to-a-diffe Over the years, people have offered "magical" solutions, such as toggling WiFi on and off, which likely has nothing to do with the real issue. Yet some do claim that such actions have temporarily fixed the issue (not myself, though). What's even more odd is that those reporters have not indicated they made any additional changes. In Google's latest Android version, Android 16, this issue is still present. Ironically, the issue seems to be most prevalent on Google's own Pixel devices. Does anyone know what is causing this bug and how to actually fix it? Update --- A couple of our community members asked some good questions... here are the answers: - The issue occurs regardless of whether WiFi or carrier data is used. - I've seen the issue occur on many Google Pixel devices, starting with the Pixel 4. Online reports indicate it was present going back to at least the Pixel 2. I've seen this issue on several Samsung devices as well, although online reports of this issue tend to mention the Pixel devices more often than Samsung devices. - Regarding proxies, VPNs, or blocked ports/servers, I need to investigate further. It definitely happens on a wide range of devices and on a wide range of networks, but perhaps there is a common element that I can discover.