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
    2017-02-25T05:59:44+00:00

    That reply from the Microsoft engaged alleged "expert" is extremely unlikely to help a Windows Update issue - and in the process it will wipe out our Windows Update history.  They don't tell you that part probably because they have never actually followed there own advice.

    Here are two discussions that have helps hundreds/thousands of users with Windows Update issues:

    Windows update problems?   Read this first.

    and/or

    Windows 7 Update Solution

    Feel free to jump in to the discussions to tell of your success or still have issues or questions.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-02-25T00:54:25+00:00

    Thank you

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2017-02-11T15:30:50+00:00

    FariaKhandaker, that sequence of "net" commands is unnecessary. Its only purpose is to aid in deleting the Software Download cache of previous and current Windows updates on your PC. Since your last update is reported as "never" this indicates the cache was already deleted. No harm done (the cache gets rebuilt automatically) but rarely helps the problem.

    The solution that helped most of us (for Win 7 in this topic, though you have Win 8) was to identify which KB # update is missing, and then to manually download that one (or 2 or 3 maybe). In earlier posts here, poster Volume Z identified the important KB update numbers.

    Also in some cases earlier Win 7 users found that giving the stuck Win Update many hours or even a day to complete finally worked, though not for me.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2017-02-11T13:38:11+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

    i couldn't get past the first method because for all 3 net stop commands i got access denied... my machine is windows 8 and the windows update doesn't update. it says last run update was never and when i try running it, the bar is just stuck at the same place for hours

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments