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
    2016-08-05T14:31:38+00:00

    Try KB3172605. :)

    https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3172605

    I have tried that many times without success, along with several other key KB updates.

    The result is a popup from Windows Update Standalone Installer with message "Searching for updates on this computer.." with a progress bar stuck in infinite loop.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-08-05T14:17:08+00:00

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-08-05T14:06:43+00:00

    I have been plagued by "Downloading Updates stuck at 0%" for over 2 years, and now since end of July 2016 it is worse because "Searching for Updates on this computer" hangs forever, so it never even begins the "Download updates" process.

    I have an HP Pavilion from 2009 running Win 7, 64bit.

    Antivirus is Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium, with possible help from CCleaner and SpyBot. Nothing of interest in any scan.

    I have spent hours, days, weeks on this problem, only to see the Windows Update going from miserably long to hopeless.

    I have frequently tried the following remedies without success:

    -Deleted the contents of C:\Windows\Software Distribution, with stop/start of services related to Windows Update

    -Left my laptop in "Sleep never" mode, running for days to complete the Search or Download of updates, which hangs forever

    -Tried download and install of supposedly key updates like KB3102810 and many others, directly from MS Download Center. This used to help, as of early July 2016, but now (Aug 5) it always fails during attempted install with "Searching for Updates on this computer" hanging forever.

    -Have run SFC /ScanNow many times, no problems ever found

    I have not tried the trick of disconnecting from Internet during update attempts because it doesn't make any sense to me.

    I have browsed the Event Viewer on my laptop, but cannot find any relevant errors. I would appreciate any guidance on what to look for here.

    In desperation I have bought a new HP Laptop with Win 10, but I need this Win 7 one as well. I am a computer professional and determined to solve this problem, which must be affecting thousands of victims of broken MS Windows Updates.

    It is beyond belief that this problem is not recognized and addressed by MicroSoft.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-08-01T18:35:10+00:00

    Gerry C J Cornell 25 Feb 2013 « What is your computer make and model? »

    Don't you feel ridiculous trying to imply the fault were on the user, when this precise exact same error has hit dozens millions users for half a decade?

    It's time for MS to blush big time and to start working. Short of this MS will never restore its lost credibility.

    Versailles, Mon 01 Aug 2016 20:35:00 +0200

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