Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running

Anonymous
2012-10-01T00:49:18+00:00

Hello,

i cant seem to do any windows updates, whenever i go to the page and click "check for updates" i get the message "windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. you may need to restart you computer"

i have ran the microsoft fix it for windows updates but it doesnt work.

i have enable the Bits services and windows update services with delayed start. and still get the same error.

also windows defender does not work and it wont start the service.

i have done a full factory restore back to HP defaults and still have this issue. i am connected to the internet also :)

thanks in advance

Windows for home | Other | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2012-10-01T00:55:17+00:00

Try:

Click Start

Type: cmd

Right click on cmd in start menu and select 'Run as Administrator'

Type: net stop wuauserv

Hit Enter

Type: ren c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.old

Hit Enter

Type: net start wuauserv

Hit Enter

Type: exit

Hit Enter

Attempt to download updates

Was this answer helpful?

4100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2012-10-01T01:09:40+00:00

There have been reported issues with users who user Intel rapid storage drivers, causing issues with windows update, mostly on x64 machines. If you are using them, try updating the driver is Device Manager, or alternatively, temporarily uninstalling the drivers, update windows, then reinstall the intel driver.

Was this answer helpful?

400+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2012-12-27T03:32:57+00:00

I had the same issue and this fixed it:

Right-click Command Prompt (in Start Menu\Programs\Accessories) and choose

Run as Administrator. Type (or Copy and Paste) the following commands,

pressing Enter after each one:

regsvr32 wuapi.dll

regsvr32 wuaueng.dll

regsvr32 wups.dll

regsvr32 wups2.dll

regsvr32 wuwebv.dll

regsvr32 wucltux.dll

Close Command Prompt, and try Windows Update again.

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2012-10-01T02:01:10+00:00

There have been reported issues with users who user Intel rapid storage drivers, causing issues with windows update, mostly on x64 machines. If you are using them, try updating the driver is Device Manager, or alternatively, temporarily uninstalling the drivers, update windows, then reinstall the intel driver.

thanks, i went to HP's website and downloaded the intel RST driver and rebooted and fixed it.

have a great day

Was this answer helpful?

30+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2014-08-19T20:24:40+00:00

For me, stopping and restarting the service and renaming the folder didn't help.  BUT, installing a new Intel RST driver did the trick AND even allowed me to install Win7 SP1.

Thanks.

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments

486 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-07-21T03:18:29+00:00

    Try:

    Click Start

    Type: cmd

    Right click on cmd in start menu and select 'Run as Administrator'

    Type: net stop wuauserv

    Hit Enter

    Type: ren c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.old

    Hit Enter

    Type: net start wuauserv

    Hit Enter

    Type: exit

    Hit Enter

    I tried this and it did not work for me since I don't see wuauserv running.

    Attempt to download updates

    It's probably because you've been/had been affected by trojan zeroaccess virus. Click on the windows icon and search for "run" . Right click on it, and run as admin. Now, type "services.msc" .IT will direct you to services. There, see if you have windows update running. If you don't, then toy're missing a registry key. the "wuausersv" registry key.  

    To to the site given below :

    http://www.smartestcomputing.us.com/files/download/9-registry-network-keys/ ( I found it while going crazy due to the same problem :P)

    Download the file that resembles your version of Windows. Now, extract the bit. and wuauserv. file asnd double click on them. You'll be promplted if you want to allow registry rewriting. Keep going and after the process is done, restart windows. Now, again go to run and type services.msc and you'll see windows update running. Problem : SOLVED

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments