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

Anonymous
2012-01-13T20:52:46+00:00

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

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | 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
2012-02-13T16:39:04+00:00

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

Was this answer helpful?

700+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

237 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2017-05-08T07:44:32+00:00

    it worked for me....! Thanks for the post..

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-03-25T13:28:01+00:00

    Most of us have found that these methods rarely work.  The issue in most cases starts after upgrading to SP1 in windows 7 with the frame work update.    Only installing the correct updates manually restores the ability to update windows 7.  This is an issue that I am sure Microsoft is well aware of but has for what ever reason failed to resolve.

    Jess

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2017-03-25T00:53:43+00:00

    I am on windows 10...

    This five-year-old thread concerned Windows 7. You will find appropriate support for Windows 10 by beginning your own new thread in this forum => http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2017-03-24T17:16:39+00:00

    I did all the above ...... update still just spool saying checking for updates. I cannot even install other program updates for example CCLEANER. The installer starts and then just vanish. I am on windows 10 - previously on windows 10 this never happened

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments