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

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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

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-08-17T20:55:19+00:00

    There's that darn echo again!

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-08-17T17:33:38+00:00

    Yup, that did it. I was enraged when I didn't IMMEDIATELY see updates appear but, about an hour later I returned to find no less than 251 updates found.

    Good job, all involved.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-08-17T14:11:36+00:00

    How to unstick Windows 7 Update from infinite "Searching for updates..."

    1. Apply if not done already http://windows.microsoft.com/windows7sp1
    2. CP (Control Panel), Small icons > WU (Windows Update) > Change Settings: Check "Never check for updates (not recommended)". Then Restart your system for the changes to take effect.

    This will immediately stop any kind of background update activity that might be stuck (causing all the involved troubles and slowing your system) and allow you to manually download the two other updates you need to fix the other Windows Update issues.

    1. Apply https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3020369 "KB 3020369". If stuck, in the process of other updates requiring restart, on "Stage 3 of 3", then press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to continue to log on.
    2. Apply https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3172605 "KB 3172605", then Restart your system.
    3. Verify that both WU (Windows Update) and MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) now run smooth and fast without stalling anymore on Update Search.
    4. Verify that in the process the inappropriate and insisting proposition to "upgrade" to Windows 10 has now gone as well.

    Details (For references only, no need to read for fixing WU)

    a. This simple short clear RELIABLE solution is resuming and simplifying (or trying) the highly helpful information provided by "Volume Z", "ElderN", and a couple others, e.g. "DODougInAmbler", in http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_7-update/windows-update-hangs-on-checking-for-updates/b762abf5-655c-4a60-aabc-9f59785bd8d9 (19 pages today) and http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_7-update/windows-7-update-problems-read-this-first/28147a5f-b0b0-480b-bed9-834a2da7a375 (13 pages today)

    b. This, while intended and checked in Windows 7 64bit, should work with few changes in all Windows versions

    c. In this resume I recommend DO NOT USE Internet Explorer: IE often fails on Microsoft own support pages

    d. I also recommend DO NOT USE Microsoft Update Catalog: 1. it is an useless alternative to WU, making things more complicated instead of more reliable; 2. it requires IE; 3. once launched in IE it requires to install an additional piece of software, essentially to further complicate an already over-complicated hence unreliable WU; 3. Everything needed works simpler, faster, and more reliable, using KB articles in regular browsers as Chrome or Firefox.

    e. In my case this fix incidentally fixed a couple other glitches that plagued me since months, like too frequent sudden unannounced unjustified reboots for overheating.

    A big Thanks to "Volume Z", "ElderN", "DODougInAmbler", and all others.

    Versailles, Wed 17 Aug 2016 16:11:35 +0200

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-08-15T16:55:26+00:00

    I followed the easy-to-understand directions and my Windows Update is now working.

    THANK YOU to Volume Z and to ElderN for saving my sanity!!  (And to DougInAmbler for pointing out my oversight.)

    YAY!

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