Windows 7 Update Service Not Running Fix

| 11-05-2021
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May 20, 2013  Windows Update Not Working Deleting Cache Files Repair Fix. Windows Update Cannot Currently Check For Updates Because The Service Is Not Running. Category Howto & Style; Show more Show less.

  1. Jul 23, 2019  You might think that it is a silly solution, but trust me when I say most of the users affected by “The Audio Service is not running” were able to fix it just by adjusting the volume level. Just look for the “ Volume ” icon which is on the right bottom of your display.
  2. Sep 10, 2019  Note Some apps and hardware you are using with Windows 7 might not be compatible with Windows 10. Downloading Windows 10 and running the install will first do a compatibility check to notify you of any issues. If you don’t want to upgrade, or can’t upgrade due to compatibility concerns, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Last updated on February 13th, 2017

Windows Update error 'Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer' probably occurs when Windows temporary update folder (SoftwareDistribution folder) is corrupted. To easily fix this error, follow the below steps in this tutorial.

How to resolve Windows (8, 7 or Vista) update error: 'Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running' when you check for updates.

Solution 1: Solve Windows Update cannot check for updates' error using Microsoft Fix It utility

Update: Unfortunately Microsoft has removed the FixIt utility. So, ignore this solution and continue to solution 2.

1. Download the Microsoft Fix It utility to your computer from: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2730071.

2.RunMicrosoft Fix It tool and press 'Accept'.

3. Select 'Detect problems and apply the fixes for me (Recommended)' option.

4. Let the troubleshooter to fix Windows Update problems and press 'Next'. *

* If the problem is fixed, close the troubleshooter and check for Windows updates again. Otherwise continue to Solution 2.

Solution 2: Solve Windows Update cannot check for updates' error manually.

Step 1: Stop Windows Update service.

To do this:

a. Simultaneously press Windows key + R to open run command box.

b. Inside run command box, type: services.msc and press Enter.

c. Search for Windows Update service, then right click on it and select Stop.

d. Without closing the services window, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Delete or Rename Windows update temporary storage folder.

To do this:

a. Open 'My Computer' and navigate to 'C:Windows'folder.

b. Delete (or Rename e.g. to 'SoftwareDistributionOLD') the 'SoftwareDistribution' folder.

Step 3: Start Windows Update service.

a. Go to Windows services and 'Start'the Windows Update service.

b. Try to update Windows again.

Solution 3: Install the KB3102810 Standalone Update.
  1. Download and install the KB3102810 security update. After installation restart your computer and check for updates. (Applied to: Windows 7 SP1 & Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.)
  2. Restart your computer.
  3. Stop Windows Update Service. (See Solution 2: Step 1)
  4. Delete the Software Distribution Folder. (See Solution 2: Step 2)
  5. Restart your computer and then check for updates. Leave your computer about an hour to find Updates.
Solution 4: Update the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver.

Install the latest Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver (Intel RST). *

Source:http://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c02219204

* You can download the latest RSTS driver from your computer's manufacturer website or from the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) Download Center

Windows 7 Update Service Not Running Fix

Hope this helps!

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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:

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.

Not

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.

Delete Windows Updates

Windows 7 Update Not Working

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.

Windows 7 Update Service Not Running Fix Tutorial

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:

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.

Windows 7 Audio Service Not Running Fix

If you’re still having problems, make sure to check out our previous posts on removing and reinstalling all Windows Updates, fixing Windows Update Error Code 0x80072efe, and fixing Windows Update Error Code 8E5E03FA. Enjoy!