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.

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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
    2016-11-02T20:35:42+00:00

    Thanks, So how do I fix it?

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-11-02T20:22:01+00:00

    I'be been looking for a solution for months, and this one solves my problem. MSISERVER is my problem.

    Thank you for sharing.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-10-30T18:22:47+00:00

    Windows Update is taking an unusually long time to scan and install updates on a Windows 7 computer

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3200747 [Revision 2.0 - 27 Oct-16]

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-10-14T05:11:26+00:00

    So I am posting my findings to hopefully save you some time, if the fix you need happens to be the same as mine. One thing to note is that the Windows Update service should be stopped first, before manually downloading and installing any of the updates listed below. Here goes:

    KB3102810 did NOT fully solve my issue, though it did seem to help and provide some more updates. After that though, I encountered the same problem.

    Here are the rest of the updates I tried (that didn't work for me), most were successful and some would not install; can't remember the message... As a heads up, some of these will likely be superseded by other updates:

    KB3083710 (this one actually caused Windows Update error 80244019 for me)

    KB3145739

    KB3138612

    KB947821

    KB3020369

    KB3161608

    KB3153199

    I had 3 other updates on my list I was going to try that might also have fixed the issue, they were:

    KB3161647

    KB3179573

    KB3185330

    HOWEVER, the update that fixed the seemingly endless 'Checking for Updates' was:

    KB3172605

    I hope you find one from these lists that works for you!!!

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