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

Hi,

Method 1:

Disable the anti-virus and firewall installed on your computer and try.

Warning:

Antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. In most cases, you shouldn't disable your antivirus software. If you have to temporarily disable it to install other software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.

Method 2:

Try resetting Windows Updates components and check if it helps. Visit the link given, download and run the Fixit.

How do I reset Windows Update components?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Hello,

Tried both methods you suggested, both unfortunately are not working to resolve my issue. It gets to the message that says "Checking for updates" as if it is searching for updates, but then never gets to the next step where you can pick and select updates to install. I'm not sure what is causing this, and it is very frustrating. If you have any other suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Peter

Here are some notes that may help resolve problems encountered when installing Windows Updates.

The process of installing updates comprises downloading, installing and configuring the operating system to use the new updates. Some updates require the computer to be restarted and when this occurs configuring occurs as the system is shut down and is completed when the computer is restarted. It is important not to interrupt the configuration process as configuration involves making changes to the registry. If interrupted, the result can be a computer that will not boot.

A lot of problems arise from setting Windows Update to automatically update. You may prefer to change this setting. Select Start, All Programs, Windows Update, Change Settings. Under Important Updates is a box showing the current setting. Click on the Arrow down to the right and change the selection to “Check for Updates but let me choose whether to download and install them” and click on OK.

If you encounter problems updating or you are not using the Automatic Update you should manually update by selecting Start, All Programs, Windows Update, Check for Updates. Check the boxes before the updates you want to install, click on Install and click again on Install in the next window and the process of installing starts. You should let the process proceed without interruption. Multi-tasking at the time updating is in progress is unwise. The progress window will tell you what is going on. You need to be patient.

If you have a number of updates to install break the task of updating into two or more tasks. If you have been having problems with Windows Update run Disk CleanUp (or better still cCleaner) and Disk Defragmenter ( or better still Defraggler) before installing any large download.

If the measures above fail to resolve your problem select Start, All Programs, View Update History and post the Failure Code and Update reference number to the Windows Update Forum at Microsoft Answers.

You can also try the Windows Update Troubleshooter:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Windows-Update-troubleshooter

Thanks Gerry.

I wish I could say that there is a failure code associated with doing Windows Updates, but it only hangs there as if it is searching for updates. I have tried turning off automatic update and let me pick and choose what to update, but it will not bother to update anything. Again, my last known successful update that Windows did was on 10/3/11. I've left the Windows update for an hour, but it still says it's searching for updates.

I also even tried your suggestions of doing a disk cleanup and defragmentation, but that has had no success as well. The only thing that I've been actually able to update is Microsoft Security Essentials, and it is showing that in the update history, but doing any ordinary Windows update is leaving me with nothing.

In looking at my last known update history, the very last successful update that Windows did was on 9/29/2011 when it installed an update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 on Windows 7 x64-bit systems. I have not been able to update anything since then. The only updates that have been successful have been the optional Definition Updates for Microsoft Security Essentials. Regular Windows updates are just not happening.

I would appreciate anyone's help on what else to do. The troubleshooter also did not help me either.