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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-09-13T16:51:16+00:00

    Hi

     I've spent a lot of time trying to sort the same problem so I thought I'd post how I fixed it - because in the end it was incredibly simple (for my issue).

    I had the same message but also when I clicked on windows update in control panel it took a couple of minutes for the agent to open before telling me the update service was not running.

    From searching forums and Microsoft support I have:

    In Services restarted Windows Update and checked set to automatic-delayed

    In service restarted Background Intelligent Transfer service and checked set to automatic-delayed

    This did not work

    Set windows update settings to 'never check-not recommended' applied and then reset settings back to install updates automatically

    This did not work

    From various Microsoft support pages run the Fix programs, they could not find an error so did not fix anything

    Downloaded windows update agent and tried to install, it would not as windows update already installed

    Some fixes mention a relationship with Windows Defender, that after successfully updating Defender, windows update started working again.

    Uninstalled my third party antivirus and performance tool kits and then turned on Windows Defender, it would not update and gave an error code 0x800106ba which I then looked up and found this page http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918355 After trying methods 1&2 I decided to have a go at the Advanced method 3. This suggested (for the first time on all of my searches) to have a look at the Windows Update log file by clicking on the start orb and typing:

    %windir%\windowsupdate.log in the search bar and running the program. There is also a useful link on this page to help understand the log. Straight away I could see errors relating to 'datastore' database - whatever that is! Went to windows/softwaredistribution/datastore where the database is kept and renamed it as it wont let you delete.

    I then tried windows update again through the control panel and the agent started straight away and was able to download updates.....all 500mb of them!!!

    Hope this may help someone!

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