Windows Update Cannot Check For Updates

If you're getting the error message "Windows Update cannot check for updates because the service is not running" when you try and run Windows Update, then follow the steps below to attempt to get it working again.

- Firstly, check that you still have the Windows Update Service installed, by going to Control Panel > System & Security > Administrative Tools > Services. Or simply by typing "services.msc" in the Run menu, or in the Start menu in Windows 8.

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Windows 8

- Look for the service "Windows Update". If it is there, right-click and choose Start. If it starts successfully, try running Windows Update again. If it's disabled, double-click it and change start-up type to "Automatic" and try running Windows Update again.

- Assuming the service is missing, then its likely that the registry entry in Windows for the Windows Update Service has become corrupt or been deleted - some viruses do this. (it may be you've had this problem after having a virus).

- Open the Registry Editor by typing "regedit" into the Start menu, and click File > Export to create a backup of the registry - export it to a directory you'll remember (in the root of C: for example)

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- Once the registry has been backed up, browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServices and look for a key in the left-hand column called "wuauserv". Most likely the key isn't there, or it is empty.

- Import the missing key by downloading it below and installing it onto the problem PC by double-clicking it.

Windows Update Service Win7 x64.reg - Right-Click and Save-As.

- Check the key has installed successfully by browsing to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServices again and checking the "wuauserv" is in the left-hand column and that it has entries in it.

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- Restart the PC and try running Windows Update again, and it should be working.

- If update works but they fail to install, follow the steps in here in my other post to clear the Windows Update cache, logs and downloaded files.

Windows Update Failing - Windows 7 / Windows 8

If you're Windows Updates are constantly failing, then try out the steps below.

- Stop the Windows Update Service. Open the Control Panel, browse to System & Security > Administrative Tools and open Services. Alternatively, type "services.msc" under Start > Run, or in Windows 8, simply hit the Windows key to use the Start menu and type "services.msc" and press Enter.

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Windows 8

- Find the service "Windows Update". Right-click and choose "Stop" to stop the service running. Minimize the Services console.
(if there is no Windows Update service listed, see my other blog "Windows Update Service is missing")

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- Open My Computer or Windows Explorer and browse to C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDatastore and delete everything within this folder

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- Then browse to C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload and delete everything within this folder.

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- Go back into the Services console and Right-click Windows Update and choose "Start" to restart the Windows Update service.

- Go back into Control Panel > System & Security > Windows Update. If you've followed the above steps correctly, it will say "Last check for updates: Never". If this is so, click "Check for updates". It should find new updates and with a bit of luck, updates will download and install successfully.