locked
Windows Update won't work RRS feed

 > 

  • Question

  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    1
    Sign in to vote

    In Windows 7 Ultimate, updates won't work. When I click 'check for updates for your computer' I get error message: "Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer."

    I've restarted my computer. I have "automatically check for update" selected in settings. Still nothing.

    D-

    Monday, March 12, 2012 5:07 PM

Answers

  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    16
    Sign in to vote

    Hi,

    Please check Windows Update service's running status, make sure it is automatic. If not, change and start it.

    Please refer to the following steps to resolve this issue.

    Step 1. Rename the Windows Update temporary folders:
    ====================================
    1. Click "Start", in "Start Search" item, type: "notepad" (without quotes) and press Enter.
    2. Copy the following commands and then paste them into the opened Notepad window:

    net stop wuauserv
    net stop CryptSvc
    ren %windir%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old
    ren %windir%\SoftwareDistribution sold.old
    net start CryptSvc
    net start wuauserv
    pause

    3. After pasting the above commands, please close the Notepad window. Choose "Save" when you are prompted to save the file. Type "rename.bat" as the file name and save it to the Desktop.
    4. Return to the Desktop, right click the rename.bat file and choose "Run as administrator".
    5. You will see a DOS-like window processing.

    Now try Windows Update to see if the issue has been resolved.

    Step 2. Run Microsoft Fix It Tool 50202 to reset Windows Update components:
    ====================================================
    1. Please download the tool from the following link:
    http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9665683

    2. When the file download window appears, please click "Save", and follow the directions to save it to your computer.
    3. Locate the downloaded file and double click it to run the tool.
    4. Follow the steps in the wizard. When you are prompted, please click to check the box before the Aggressive option.
    5. After it is finished, please restart the computer.

    If it still does not resolve the issue, let's proceed to step 3.

    Step 3. Run the System Update Readiness Tool
    ====================================
    1. Please download the System Update Readiness Tool from the link below according to the System Type:

    System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 32-bit
    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=44e15787-66b0-4e9c-9c3b-1fc9ea40f69f

    System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 64-bit
    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=914fbc5b-1fba-4bae-a7c3-d2c47c6fcffc

    2. Double click downloaded file to run the System Update Readiness Tool. Then restart the computer and run Windows Update.

    If issue persists, please upload the Windows Update log to SkyDrive and post a link here:
    http://explore.live.com/skydrive

    Best regards,
    Della Li

    • Proposed as answer by TommyJordan Wednesday, April 4, 2012 1:19 AM
    • Marked as answer by Juke Chou Wednesday, April 4, 2012 7:55 AM
    Wednesday, March 14, 2012 5:30 AM

All replies

  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    "Mousewriter" wrote in message news:5728fc8d-4ba7-4d08-994a-2144b79a8f96...

    In Windows 7 Ultimate, updates won't work. When I click 'check for updates for your computer' I get error message: "Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer."

    I've restarted my computer. I have "automatically check for update" selected in settings. Still nothing.

    D-

    This could be either the BITS service or the SPPSVC service not running
    Run the following commands in a Command Prompt Window – report the results.
     
    SC QC BITS
    SC QUERYEX BITS
    SC QC SPPSVC
    SC QUERYEX SPPSVC
    NET START BITS
    NET START SPPSVC
     
    Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
    Monday, March 12, 2012 5:15 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Here is the info:

    SC QC BITS

    SERVICE_NAME: BITS
    TYPE        : 20 WIN32_SHARE_PROCESS
    START_TYPE    :3 DEMAND_START
    ERROR_CONTROL     :1 NORMAL
    BINARY_PATH_NAME:C:\windows\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
    LOAD_ORDER_GROUP:
    TAG        :0
    DISPLAY_NAME    :Background Intelligent Transfer Service
    DEPENDENCIES    :RpcSs
            :EventSystem
    SERVICE_START_NAME: LocalSystem

    SC QUERYEX BITS

    SERVICE_NAME: BITS
    TYPE        :20 WIN32_SHARE_PROCESS
    STATE        :1 STOPPED
    WIN32_EXIT_CODE :1077 (0x435)
    SERVICE_EXIT_CODE: 0 (0x0)
    CHECKPOINT     :0x0
    WAIT_HINT    :0x0
    PID        :0
    FLAGS        :

    SC QC SPPSVC
    SERVICE_NAME: SPPSVC
    TYPE        :10 WIN32_OWN_PROCESS
    START_TYPE    :2 AUTO_START (DELAYED)
    ERROR_CONTROL    :1 NORMAL
    BINARY_PATH_NAME:C:\windows\system32\sppsvc.exe
    LOAD_ORDER_GROUP:
    TAG        :0
    DISPLAY_NAME    :Software Protection
    DEPENDENCIES    :RpcSs
    SERVICE_START_NAME: NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService


    SC QUERYEX SPPSVC
    SERVICE_NAME: SPPSVC

    TYPE        :10 WIN32_OWN_PROCESS
    STATE        :1 STOPPED
    WIN32_EXIT_CODE    :0 (0x0)
    SERVICE_EXIT_CODE:0 (0x0)
    CHECKPOINT    :0x0
    WAIT_HINT    :0x0
    PID        :0
    FLAGS        :

    NET START BITS
    System error 5 has occurred

    Access is denied.

    NET START SPPSVC
    The Software Protection service is starting.
    The Software Protection service was started successfully.
    Tuesday, March 13, 2012 3:32 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    Hi,

    The BITS service used by Windows update is not running on your system and your attempt to start it failed due to permissions issue. Are you running the command as administrator on the system.

    <snip>

    NET START BITS
    System error 5 has occurred

    </snip>

    I will request you to open the command prompt as administrator (Cmd--> Right Click ---> Run as administrator) and provide the "net start" commands mentioned by Noel above.

    Thanks,

    Girish

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Please remember to click "Vote As Helpful" on the post if the information is useful to you ! Please remember to click “Mark as Answer” on the post that helps you to fix the issues, and to click “Unmark as Answer” if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees and confers no rights.


    Tuesday, March 13, 2012 4:26 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    In order to check for updates you need "windows updates" service (wuauserv) to be running.

    Bits is only used for downloading updates and not for scanning computers for updates.

    Please make sure that Windows Updates service is set to start automatically and it is running.

    If that doesn't work then you should try running fixit

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

    Tuesday, March 13, 2012 5:41 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    "Mousewriter" wrote in message news:ad4e5c7c-88bd-4279-81ac-51d026039be9...
    Here is the info:


    NET START BITS
    System error 5 has occurred

    Access is denied.

    NET START SPPSVC
    The Software Protection service is starting.
    The Software Protection service was started successfully.
     
    OK – that shows that there are problems with the BITS service – but as Brano pointed out, I should also have asked for data on the WUAUSERV services.(@Girish – the prompt must have been an elevated one, or we’d have got the same Error 5 from the attempt to start the SPPSVC)
     
    Please run the following commands from an Elevated Command Prompt
     
    SC QC WUAUSERV
    SC QUERYEX WUAUSERV
    NET START WUAUSERV
     
    Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
    Tuesday, March 13, 2012 10:36 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    16
    Sign in to vote

    Hi,

    Please check Windows Update service's running status, make sure it is automatic. If not, change and start it.

    Please refer to the following steps to resolve this issue.

    Step 1. Rename the Windows Update temporary folders:
    ====================================
    1. Click "Start", in "Start Search" item, type: "notepad" (without quotes) and press Enter.
    2. Copy the following commands and then paste them into the opened Notepad window:

    net stop wuauserv
    net stop CryptSvc
    ren %windir%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old
    ren %windir%\SoftwareDistribution sold.old
    net start CryptSvc
    net start wuauserv
    pause

    3. After pasting the above commands, please close the Notepad window. Choose "Save" when you are prompted to save the file. Type "rename.bat" as the file name and save it to the Desktop.
    4. Return to the Desktop, right click the rename.bat file and choose "Run as administrator".
    5. You will see a DOS-like window processing.

    Now try Windows Update to see if the issue has been resolved.

    Step 2. Run Microsoft Fix It Tool 50202 to reset Windows Update components:
    ====================================================
    1. Please download the tool from the following link:
    http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9665683

    2. When the file download window appears, please click "Save", and follow the directions to save it to your computer.
    3. Locate the downloaded file and double click it to run the tool.
    4. Follow the steps in the wizard. When you are prompted, please click to check the box before the Aggressive option.
    5. After it is finished, please restart the computer.

    If it still does not resolve the issue, let's proceed to step 3.

    Step 3. Run the System Update Readiness Tool
    ====================================
    1. Please download the System Update Readiness Tool from the link below according to the System Type:

    System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 32-bit
    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=44e15787-66b0-4e9c-9c3b-1fc9ea40f69f

    System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 64-bit
    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=914fbc5b-1fba-4bae-a7c3-d2c47c6fcffc

    2. Double click downloaded file to run the System Update Readiness Tool. Then restart the computer and run Windows Update.

    If issue persists, please upload the Windows Update log to SkyDrive and post a link here:
    http://explore.live.com/skydrive

    Best regards,
    Della Li

    • Proposed as answer by TommyJordan Wednesday, April 4, 2012 1:19 AM
    • Marked as answer by Juke Chou Wednesday, April 4, 2012 7:55 AM
    Wednesday, March 14, 2012 5:30 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    Della,

    Thanks for the tip. I created the BAT file as directed. Ran it. Fixed everything. Appreciate it!

    Wednesday, April 4, 2012 1:19 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    thank god for people like you!

    FIXXXXEEEDDDD

    Wednesday, May 23, 2012 5:59 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Gee, a forum solution, that first one using the copy and paste on notepad, that actually worked!!!! Thank The God of Your Choice for Geeks!!
    • Edited by doyso Wednesday, June 27, 2012 9:49 PM
    Wednesday, June 27, 2012 9:42 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Della, thanks a lot. Fixed with steps 1&2.
    Thursday, August 23, 2012 8:30 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Della Li I love you I haven't been able to fix this for months. Worked after the first step. Thank you so much.
    Saturday, September 1, 2012 11:00 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Thank you Della Li.  This messed up my golden master image but it's fixed now!
    Friday, September 21, 2012 1:48 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    You sir are a genius. I ran the windows fix it and nothing, I do your notepad trick and bam, instant success. Cheers, greatfully appreciative
    Tuesday, October 23, 2012 9:38 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    I've looked for a week for a fix that worked.  MS fix it didn't seem to stick but the notepad trick did it!  Thank you so much for posting this Della Li!

    Jason

    Thursday, November 29, 2012 7:38 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    The fix didn't work for me, I got the error code 0xc8000247

    Monday, February 11, 2013 9:20 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    This may simply be caused by a bad set of Intel Rapid Storage Technology drivers -  

     

    Installing the Intel Rapid Storage Drivers

    try downloading and installing them from here - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2101&DwnldID=21730

     

    (you want the iata_enu.exe download)

     

    Once complete, please reboot twice, then post another MGADiag report.   

     

    Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
    No - I do not work for Microsoft, or any of its contractors.

    Monday, February 11, 2013 9:37 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    None of this has worked for me. Not even the intel update works. I don't get it.
    Saturday, April 20, 2013 7:24 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Start a NEW thread of your own, and include an MGADiag report. - without that, we're just guessing.

    Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
    No - I do not work for Microsoft, or any of its contractors.

    Saturday, April 20, 2013 9:04 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    I have the same problem that windows update won't work. I tried the above proposed solution and ran steps 1 and 2. Unfortunately Microsoft Fixit is stuck - the bar is half way complete and it has been stuck for 15 minutes. I'm sending this reply on another computer. Can you help?

    Thursday, January 23, 2014 6:36 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Thank you, that was amazing!
    Sunday, May 4, 2014 9:12 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    Respected Della Li!

    I found your answer to be profoundly helpful in fixing my problem in windows update but still I'm haunted by one single question which I'd pray before you to kindly resolve if you please so.

    My question is whether I'll be having any problems afterwards by going for aggressive option  in  Microsoft Fix It Tool 50202 as run in accordance with your kind advice. If I may encounter any problem in the coming future, then what am I supposed to do?

    Saturday, June 21, 2014 6:20 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Friday, July 31, 2015 3:50 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    Step 1 worked perfect for me - much appreciated!

    The only missing part for me was reboot following to the procedure.

    Thanks again :)

    Saturday, June 25, 2016 8:17 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    I tried this and I got this

    C:\Users\Katrina\Desktop>net stop wuauserv
    The Windows Update service is not started.

    More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 3521.


    C:\Users\Katrina\Desktop>net stop CryptSvc
    System error 5 has occurred.

    Access is denied.


    C:\Users\Katrina\Desktop>ren C:\Windows\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old
    Access is denied.

    C:\Users\Katrina\Desktop>ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution sold.old
    Access is denied.

    C:\Users\Katrina\Desktop>net start CryptSvc
    System error 5 has occurred.

    Access is denied.


    C:\Users\Katrina\Desktop>net start wuauserv
    The Windows Update service is starting.

    I am  desperate need of help. and help would be greatly appreciated!

    thanks for reading

    Saturday, July 16, 2016 12:08 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    You didn't run the commands in an Elevated Command Prompt - jus the user-level one. You MUST run the commands in an Elevated prompt for them to work properly

    Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
    CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
    No - I do not work for Microsoft, or any of its contractors.

    Sunday, July 17, 2016 9:00 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    this worked quickly and flawlessly...thank you!!!
    Thursday, August 18, 2016 10:59 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Thank you. Your solution worked.
    Tuesday, June 13, 2017 8:54 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Perfect, your description above helped to solve my problem.
    Wednesday, December 20, 2017 12:58 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    C:\Windows\system32>net stop wuauserv
    The service name is invalid.

    More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2185.


    C:\Windows\system32>net stop CryptSvc
    The Cryptographic Services service is stopping..
    The Cryptographic Services service was stopped successfully.


    C:\Windows\system32>ren C:\Windows\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old
    The system cannot find the file specified.

    C:\Windows\system32>ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution sold.old
    The system cannot find the file specified.

    C:\Windows\system32>net start CryptSvc
    The Cryptographic Services service is starting.
    The Cryptographic Services service was started successfully.


    C:\Windows\system32>net start wuauserv
    The service name is invalid.

    More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2185.


    C:\Windows\system32>pause
    Press any key to continue . . .
    Monday, June 11, 2018 4:05 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Please start a NEW thread of your own, and detail your own problems there!

    Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
    CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
    No - I do not work for Microsoft, or any of its contractors.

    Tuesday, June 12, 2018 4:15 PM