miktex
I am trying to install packages from the MiKTeX console. I keep getting an error that "Couldn't connect to server."
I then went to "Packages" and tried to change the repository from "a random package repository on the Internet," but it does not load and other repositories. It just says, "Couldn't connect to server."
However, my internet is working. Any idea what is going on?
You can install xpatch via the MiKTeX Package Manager. In your windows program folder are the folders Maintenance and Maintenance (Admin). For package installation you should start the Package Manager as admin. In the menu Repository just Synchronize yours with the source repository first. After that look for the xpatch package, mark it and click Install in the Task menu. Thats all. If there are other packages which are needed by xpatch and they aren't installed just repeat the procedure with the Manager. To install all non installed packages in one run, go to Edit --> Select Installable Packages and than Task --> Install. So you have all available packages on your computer.
If you have other problems with the package (or with others), start the Update(Admin) in the Maintenance (Admin) folder and refresh the complete MiKTeX first.
The problem resolved itself this morning, apparently the last CTAN update failed, quoting developer and maintainer of MiKTeX, Christian Schenk:
"I am afraid that all repositories are currently out-of-date because the last CTAN upload was unsuccessful. The next CTAN upload is scheduled, ETA is 20171031T0600 (UTC)."
https://github.com/MiKTeX/miktex/issues/27#issuecomment-340549770
Best Answer
If you want to install packages from a local repository, you can download the packages you're interested in from CTAN, more precisely from this directory:
https://ctan.org/tex-archive/systems/win32/miktex/tm/packages
add the four files:
pr.ini,miktex-zzdb1-2.9.tar.lzma,miktex-zzdb2-2.9.tar.lzmaandfiles.csv.lzmaand install them in a directory on your system. Then, choose to install from a local repository, and declare the installation directory as your local repository.