Recently, I was working with a client and they had an issue updating their Windows 7 PC. Basically, whenever they tried to run a check for updates, they would get the following error message:
Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer.
Of course, restarting did not help. When we checked if the Windows Update Service was running, we found that it was running. So now we were confused.
In this situation, you can solve the problem by deleting all the currently downloaded updates and retrying. Sometimes an update gets corrupted and then Windows gets confused and thinks the service is no longer running.
The first thing to do is to stop the Windows Update service on your Windows 7 machine. You can do this by going to Start and typing in services.msc in the search box.
Next, press Enter and the Windows Services dialog will appear. Now scroll down until you see the Windows Update service, right-click on it and choose Stop.
Now that the Windows Update service has been disabled, you need to go to the following folder and delete all the files and folders inside of it:
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\
Once you have deleted everything, go back to the Services dialog and right-click on the Windows Update service and choose Start. All the files and folders will be re-created and hopefully you can start downloading updates for your PC.
If you’re still having problems, make sure to check out our previous posts on removing and reinstalling all Windows Updates, troubleshooting An Update Failed to Install error, and fixing Windows Update Error Code 8E5E03FA.
Thanks this was really helpful. I had a completely new installation that wouldn't update at all. Clearly a Windows 7 bug as many people are struggling with this.
Kurt
I am also having the same problem. I just recently upgraded my Lenovo SL510 Laptop to a Western Digital 750GB hard drive. I clean installed Windows 7 32 bit on it and found that I could not install any Windows updates. I have contacted both Lenovo and Microsoft the assist with resolving this issue and neither one has been able to do anything. If I put the old Seagate drive back in I am able to update my system with no problems. Any suggestions. Yes, all of the services are running. Microsoft made sure of that. Thanks
Good tips …my Windows Update is running again!
Thanks. The first step (enabling the service) worked for me. I didn't need to go to C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution and all.
Thanks!
Just to share where I am having the same problem but Windows Update & BITS services are running well.
Finally I found the problem is cause by Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) which suppose to enhance the SATA disk performance. Problem solved after I download and install the latest version from Intel.
So the first thing to check is to ensure all third party drivers are the latest version.
Hope this help.
I can't find Windows Update service, so I can't stop it. Please help.
Thanks kwfoo.
I had exactly the same problem on a new W7 install and once I updated the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver, all was well.
I would never have thought of that if I had not read your post.
Thank you a lot for posting this. I have been messing with my laptop for days since I reformatted it just before Xmas, and despite being very computer savvy, I couldn't figure it out. All I knew was that it froze whenever I tried to run it, and that only rebooting it in services with it open would get me to the "check updates" page.
Thanks to your post, I finally got the update check to run and updates are currently installing. I really appreciate it, and I hope you had happy holidays! :)
Hey, guys!
I am from Brazil, but I bought my Sony Vaio VPCF1 in the USA. Well, once here in my country, I bought a Portuguese version of the Windows 7 Ultimate. After several, but solved, installation problems, I got stuck on the Windows Update failure.
Thanks to kwfoo! I finally solved this issue.
Alessandro Albuquerque
Brasília
Brasil
This fix worked perfectly. However, is it possible to "undelete" the Update History as you cannot see it anymore?
Thanks. It work perfectly. I was scared thinking that something was seriously wrong with my computer.
Wow! Your solution works! Sorry to sound surprised but have spent a long time on this Microsoft weakness. Thanks so much. For those that get told that spyware causes the problem: Maybe it does, but in my case it was a problem from Day 1 with a brand new PC and new Windows Premium 64 before I loaded anything additional!
Wow, it worked! I don't know how to thank you!!!
Great. Best solution I have found!
I had to start all over again with a new hard drive (old one died) and it could not update. I followed the first guy's instructions and updated the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver. I don't know why this driver affects the update process, but it works now.
The Rapid Storage Technology driver update, this is what finally
solved my problem. I had tried the fix at the top without success.
That is brilliant. I've been looking for this fix for days now. I've just reinstalled Windows and the problem was still there. Then, I found your solution straight after.
Unfortunately, I didn't see it before, but, many thanks!!
After deleting and restarting, an error follows; 'cannot find specified file'.
This post really helps!
You solved my problem. :)
Thanks.
I have a windows update error about once a month lately. Have tried every solution posted. I have discovered a simple and easy method!!! It works every time for me (so far).
Go to Internet Explorer -> Tools -> Internet Options -> Connections -> LAN settings: if it is set to AUTOMATICALLY DETECT SETTINGS switch it to
PROXY SERVER (port 80) that port was already there for me. Click OK and try Windows Update.
Option 2. If it was set to PROXY SERVER, switch it to AUTOMATICALLY DETECT SETTINGS. Try again. Don't give up yet. Switch back to PROXY SERVER. Finally, Windows Update should work!
Thank You. That helped me a lot. Windows 7 seems to be so buggy. That's my 3rd serious bug in this windows.
1st one was that it stopped being genuine at 1am last month (was disabling onboard display to FORCE ION2 HDMI output on TV that didn't want to work well without doing so) that required me to restore hd image from windows backup. 2 weeks of work lost. Fixed.
2nd one is memory overflow when using HDMI display on Nvidia ION2 netbook (maybe it's global HDMI or nvidia problem). After few times switching on/off monitor while having DirectX game open, there are huge memory corruptions. Programs won't start, they crash until restart, and while multiply clicking windows update check, it fails everytime AND CORRUPTS WINDOWS UPDATE FILES – that made me search for this sollution. NOT FIXED!
3rd was this one. Fixed.
Windows 7 certainly is better than Vista but it still has VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS AND BUGS. Microsoft should really pay more attention to their products!
I recently replaced my HD and used Windows recovery to restore my system. Neither Windows update or Live Messenger worked after that. I tried the method suggested above in stopping and then re-starting the update service after deleting files but that didn't work either. I then checked for updated drivers at http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect/ and, after updating three drivers, everything now works as it should! Thanks, kwfoo!
I know this entry is a lil'bit old but thank to you Aseem, my girl friend's laptop is now back again. :)
Thank you.
Hi, I had the exact problem just like:
"starquest9 Said,August 13th, 2010 @12:23 pm I am also having the same problem. I just recently upgraded my Lenovo SL510 Laptop to a Western Digital 750GB hard drive. I clean installed Windows 7 32 bit on it and found that I could not install any Windows updates. I have contacted both Lenovo and Microsoft the assist with resolving this issue and neither one has been able to do anything. If I put the old Seagate drive back in I am able to update my system with no problems. Any suggestions. Yes, all of the services are running. Microsoft made sure of that. Thanks"
I am just wondering if starquest was able to fix his problem, if so, how? I tried pretty much everything and still doesn't work. Please help, much appreciated in advance. I am running Windows 7 Home Premium on a Lenovo SL510
Thanks a ton. Spent 3hrs already on other tips to fix this and yours worked!
Thanks for the tip, worked like a charm.
Many thanks from NZ..as per previous posts installing Intel RST did the business for me. Very grateful as has saved me $ and time.
I had this problem on Windows Vista, and this solved it. Thanks!
Thanks!, Just got a new hard drive for my laptop. Windows wouldn't update after installing the operating system. This fix worked.
Thanks you, my bestfriend. It's very useful for me :*
Big thanks… worked great!
Dude, You are AWESOME. Dell 15XPS laptop HD died, replaced drive (WD Blue 750 GB) and reinstalled from the Recovery Image (no Windows DVD with system). Windows Update was DOA. Tried updating the Intel Rapid Storage Driver but that did not work. Stopping the Update service then deleting the files in the SoftwareDistribution folder and then starting the Update service worked perfectly. You have lived up to your moniker! Thanks. John
Spent many days trying to solve this problem, and you sorted it out for me in minutes. Cannot thank you enough. Best wishes for Xmas.
I've been fighting with this for days before I found your tips – you'd think the Windows Update troubleshooter could be updated to incorporate this simple fix…
your windows update fix worked PERFECTLY thank you very much
Incredible solution. I searched a lot on the net but could not find an easy solution. Thanks Buddy.
Kumar
Thanks a lot man!
Thanks a lot for your post. I was having this problem on Mac book with windows 7 as parallel. Saved my time on figuring out this issue. Thanks again for your help.
After weeks of debugging, chasing imaginary spyware, your simple fix did the trick!!
Thanks for this great post
You rock!! That was a huge help.
Thank you! Solved my problem as well. You saved me a re-install. Kevin
I had tried all kinds of fixes last night and finally tried this. Worked like a charm. Thanks!
-Paul
This worked perfectly. Thanks for the simple and easy to follow solution.
Wow – this actually worked, after all other Microsoft recommended fixes failed. Thank you veyr much, sir!
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!! Thanks
AWESOME!!! It worked!