Windows Update hangs on "checking for updates". Haven't been able to install updates since Oct. 2011

Anonymous

Hey there everyone,

I'm having an issue with Windows Update on my Windows 7 64-bit computer. My last most recent update check was on 10/3/2011 and my last actual update was on 9/29/2011. What is basically happening is that Windows is telling me that I need to check for updates. I click on Check for updates, and it basically acts like it is checking for updates, but never moves beyond that. I can leave it checking for hours, and nothing will happen. It won't get me to the screen where I can actually select updates, nor does Windows even acknowledge that I checked for updates.

I've already tried using the Windows Update Fix tool, but there was no success with that at all. I thought that maybe it was my firewall or internet settings, and it's not that either. Does anyone have any suggestions. Thanks!

Peter

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

Hi,

Try the following methods

Method 1:

1. Click Start

2. Type ‘cmd’ in the search bar.

3. Right click Command prompt and choose “Run as Administrator”

4. At the command prompt, type the following, commands and then press ENTER after each command:

a. net stop wuauserv

b. net stop bits

c. net stop cryptsvc

Please do not close the Command Prompt window.

Method 2: ****Rename folders pertaining to Windows Update.

At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press Enter after each command:

a) ren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 Catroot2.old

b) ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

At the command prompt, type the following, commands and then press ENTER after each command:

a) net start wuauserv

b) net start bits

c) net start cryptsvc

Close the Command Prompt window and check the issue if issue reoccurs

0 comments

237 additional answers

Anonymous

2013-02-25T09:41:15+00:00

Jeannie

What is your computer make and model?
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2013-02-25T01:33:01+00:00

I also cannot install any of my updates. I have tried everything. When going into my Services, BITS is not there. I tried your method mention, and when entering 'net stop bits' and 'net start bits', i got this message; 'More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2185'. I typed this in and was refused to go any further. Frustration! I have gone down every avenue I can find. Does anyone have any answers?
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2013-02-24T10:44:17+00:00

Thx vinod,

Although Bits was/is not running the other steps solved the update problem.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2012-03-14T16:28:11+00:00
I was suffering the same difficulties with Windows Update - none of the suggested solutions had worked for me either. However, noticing that people mentioned anti-virus causing the issue, I was rather surprised to find that Microsoft Security Essentials was the problem.

Please tell me why:
1. MSE is blocking Windows Update from performing correctly,
2. Windows Update is doing something that MSE would block,
3. (or, if this is expected behaviour), why Windows Update is not included in MSE's exceptions list by default?
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments