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
    2016-12-22T14:57:49+00:00

    This is the simplest and most brilliant fix to this Windows Update problem that I have ever seen.  I have been struggling with this issue for three whole days (of my vacation) and have tried just about every other solution.  In terms of troubleshooting the Windows Update hanging issue, this should be at the top of everyone 's list.  I highly recommend it.

    Kudos to Volume Z!

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-12-07T18:19:32+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

    Finally, someone has a simple solution that works! It's so difficult to spend a day searching and following all the "advice" that everyone says works, only to find out those steps don't work...

    THANKS!!!

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-12-06T19:05:52+00:00

    Finally after hours of searching, this finally worked for me and it was so easy in the end.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3200747

    The first hotfix/patch (KB3020369) was already installed, so there was no action to take.  The second hotfix/patch installed without much effort and requested a restart.  Once the computer restarted, Windows Update worked perfectly.

    Landoix, many, many thanks for posting the answer 

    Many have tried this approach and it failed to resolve their issue.   This fix also says it for slow updates and the main reason for this has been that windows 7 would not update at all.  It just acts like its checking for updates and hangs.  Several other fixes have been successful for most and this one too may help others.  Its just an issue of Microsoft letting its customers down and ignoring the problem.  Far too many users have the issue when reinstalling windows 7 for Microsoft not to be aware of it and have a real fix for the issue which normally occurs just after SP1 is installed.

    Jess

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-12-06T13:25:37+00:00

    Finally after hours of searching, this finally worked for me and it was so easy in the end.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3200747

    The first hotfix/patch (KB3020369) was already installed, so there was no action to take.  The second hotfix/patch installed without much effort and requested a restart.  Once the computer restarted, Windows Update worked perfectly.

    Landoix, many, many thanks for posting the answer

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