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
    2013-06-30T17:01:14+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

    I also tried everything I found on the Internet, including safemode virus scan,  Microsoft Fixit, delet Software Distribution, download HP IRS driver, sfc scannow, nothing works.   Everytime I clicked check for update, the same message "Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running ..." appears.; although the service is runinng.  I am using 64 bit Vista Home Premium on HP dv6853cl. and my Vista has not been updated for about half a year.

    At last I turned the Windows Update setting to "Do not update" and then I clicked scan for update, and it worked. It downloaded 700 MB of 81 updates, and after that I changed back the setting to update automatically and it continued to update.  I don't know whether this is a result of previous efforts I made, but it is the "Do not update" that triggered the solution.  I did not invent this fix, I saw it in other threads, but it is too casual to be noticed:

    e.g.

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_update/windows-updates-cannot-currently-check-for-updates/55bd109a-e8e2-4193-9a06-e8a278810256

    ChipMezger's reply.

    If you tried everything and it still does not work, try turn off Windows Update.  It is a simple click and it will not hurt.  Try it, to me this is a miracle.

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